Midday Report for Thursday 31 October 2019

12:35 PM.Fifty New Zealand companies and major agricultural organisations have joined a new pledge to protect New Zealand from pests and diseases. Audio

12:26 PM.The Wales coach Warren Gatland is lavishing praise on All Blacks counterpart Steve Hansen ahead of the Rugby World Cup bronze medal match. Audio

12:23 PM.For the latest from the markets we're joined by Michael Grace of Jarden Securities. Audio

12:22 PM.The US Federal Reserve has again slashed the cost of borrowing but signalled it's pausing interest rate cuts unless something significantly alters its outlook for the US economy. Audio

12:20 PM.Tougher competition, falling margins and a weaker New Zealand dollar, have battered the profit of the country'siggest fuel retailer Z Energy. Audio

12:17 PM.The profit for the country's biggest bank -- ANZ -- has taken a tumble as regulators have put the squeeze on the way it does business and a slowing economy dents its income. Audio

12:00 PM.The death of an 8-year-old in Southland is being treated as a homicide. The chief censor bans a video game based on the Christchurch mosque attacks. Audio