The new chief executive of stock exchange operator NZX says New Zealand’s capital markets remain strong, although there is work to do to make sure it remains that way. Mark Peterson, who has more than 25 years’ experience in the financial services and has been acting chief executive since Tim Bennett stepped down at the end of last year, was appointed to the role this morning.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/can-nzxs-new-ceo-turn-stock-exchange-around-cs-p-201748

US President Donald Trump and China President Xi Jinping’s first face-to-face visit discussed trade and North Korea's nuclear weapons programme. "We had a long discussion. So far, I have gotten nothing. Absolutely nothing. But we have developed a friendship. I can see that. I think, long term, we are going to have a very, very great relationship and I look very much forward to it,” Mr Trump says.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/trumps-beltway-smiles-xi-gorsuch-confirmed-supreme-court-ns-p-201751

The Labour Party has confirmed it intends to review the Reserve Bank Act if elected, after months of hinting it planned to shake up the way the central bank makes its decisions. The party’s finance spokesman, Grant Robertson, tells NBR Radio Labour wants to make two specific changes to the act if it wins the treasury benches this election.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/labour%E2%80%99s-plan-shake-reserve-bank-jw-p-201699

Rising interest rates have restored confidence to the bond market, which traditionally has acted as a portfolio stabiliser for stock investments. The issuing of new bonds has continued apace at least in the US. In the first quarter, investment-grade and junk-rated companies sold more than $US490 billion of bonds, the most of any quarter on record.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/hold-hu-bond-dealer-sees-recovery-fixed-interest-investments-ng-p-201680

Infratil says it had a disproportionate influence on Metlifecare during the three-and-a-half years it owned its near 20% stake and the sharemarket will eventually re-rate the stock because of the changes made in those years. On Friday, Infratil announced it had sold the stake for $238 million, or $5.61 per share, a 7.6% discount to Thursday’s close at $6.07.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/infratil-market-will-re-rate-metlifecare-jr-p-201718

An analyst is signalling Orion Health’s share price has still further to fall after it sank 25% last week. Orion shares finished last week at $1.44 and Stephen Ridgewell at Craigs Investment Partners has slapped a 12-month target price of just $1.30 and a "sell" recommendation on the stock.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/orion-health-shares-have-further-fall-analyst-says-jr-p-201720

Parliament goes into its final week before the school holiday recess with several large questions hanging over the body politic. Well, largish.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/opinion/utter-balderdash-%E2%80%93-reserve-bank-reviews-are-election-year-posturing

A report from Australia that broadcaster Southern Cross Austereo is keen to buy the radio assets of MediaWorks looks like a case of wishful thinking. MediaWorks owns several popular radio stations including The Edge, MoreFM, The Rock and RadioLive but is better known as the owner of TV3.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/wishful-thinking-aussie-pitch-mediaworks-radio-th-p-201679

The US fired 70 precision-guided missiles at Syrian targets, reportedly focusing on key points in the airfield, including runways, aircraft and fuel points. According to MSNBC, 59 of the missiles hit their targets. The air base reportedly houses the two squadrons of Su-22 ground attack aircraft which allegedly conducted a recent chemical weapons attack. Syrian state media responded to the strikes, calling them an act of aggression.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/trumps-beltway-us-strikes-syria-xi-meeting-gets-under-way-ns-p-201678

Auckland Airport has taken a leaf out of the book of its client airlines and launched its own loyalty scheme that rewards frequent travellers. The online-based club, called Strata, will also have a physical presence through the expansion of its Emperor Lounge, which is used by airlines without their own facilities and is open to all travellers for a $50 fee.

Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/auckland-airport-launches-strata-club-reward-frequent-fliers-and-big-spenders-ng-201666