Midday Report for Monday 15 February 2016

12:35 PM.News from the rural and farming sectors. Audio

12:26 PM.New Zealand are on the ropes on the 4th day of the opening cricket Test against Australia in Wellington, and Olympic cycling medallists Hayden Roulston and Simon van Velthooven have missed out on the… Read more Audio

12:24 PM.For the latest from the markets we're joined by James Grigor at Macquarie Private Wealth. Audio

12:23 PM.Activity in the services sector has fallen-back, but still remains firmly in expansion mode. Audio

12:22 PM.Listed software company Diligent Board Services has received a takeover offer from an American private equity and venture capital company, Insight Venture Partners. Audio

12:20 PM.The Belgian-based resins manufacturer, Allnex, is offering to buy specialty New Zealand resins maker, Nuplex Industries, for $1 billion. Audio

12:19 PM.The commercial property investor Property For Industry has reported a 21% rise in its full-year profit, on the back of a lift in rents and the value of its assets. Audio

12:17 PM.Contact Energy has posted a loss of $116 million for the first six months of the trading year on the back of a writedown in the value of assets. Audio

12:00 PM.Christchurch checks the damage from yesterday's large quake and Serco takes court action over fight report. Audio