BUSINESS

New Zealand's economy will prosper in 2014 as financial experts predict it will be a "golden" year for the country. All signs point to a stronger economy in 2014.

Aside from the delicious food, dazzling decorations, beautiful clothes and gifts, the holidays also bring about numerous sales from stores that want to cash in on the consumers' fat wallets and generous spirits. Unfortunately, it is also during this time that a lot of counterfeit products are being sold alongside the real ones. To avoid getting duped into buying fake products, especially electronics, check out some tips on how to spot fake electronics

The new "Lara Croft: Reflections" will reportedly be a free-to-play (F2P) collectible card game and is currently being tested in Australia and New Zealand. However, it is still unclear if the said game will also be available in the U.S. and in other parts of the world. But, if it turns out that it will be made available worldwide, then it is predicted to be released in 2014. As a free-to-play (F2P) card game, "Lara Croft: Reflections" can be downloaded for free, but gamers might be c...

Shares in the Commonwealth bank, Westpac, NAB and ANZ surge after four major banks respond to increased capital reserve from APRA

A Galaxy research surveyed that two-thirds of all customers across all service providers are expected to use more data over the Christmas season. Data usage is higher among Gen Y's with almost 75 per cent of younger people saying that Christmas causes their usage to go up.

Rumours are going around the tech industry that Samsung will release a Galaxy Band Fitness Tracker to debut at the 2014 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain. The 2014 MWC will be held at the Fira Gran Via from Feb. 24 -27, 2014.

Apple Inc shares climbed 3.8 per cent at $570.09 after the company has officially announced and confirmed the deal with China Mobile, the biggest mobile carrier in the world. Now Apple Inc is one of the tech stocks to watch out for in 2014 with analysts optimistic of bigger iPhone sales in the Chinese market.

Beyonce handed out $50 gift cards to 750 Walmart customers on Friday, Dec 20, 2013, after Amazon and Target refused to stock her new CD because she released it in secret on iTunes just minutes before midnight EST on Friday morning, Dec 13, 2013.

For people who prefer tablets that are smaller than the standard 10-inch tablets, these three new tablets in the market are now under this category: Nexus 7 2013, Amazon Kindle Fire HDX and the Apple iPad Mini 2 with Retina display.

Apple Inc has officially announced a deal with China Mobile on Dec. 22 which signaled the end of a 6-year negotiation. Apple's bestselling iPhones will be available on the world's largest mobile carrier on Jan. 17, 2014.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., an American Southern country themed chain of restaurants and gift stores founded in 1969 in Lebanon, Tennessee (TN), announced on Dec. 22, 2013 that they will bring back selected "Duck Dynasty" products that were deemed "offensive" in its stores' shelves just a day after announcing that it was pulling it out.

Cyanogen, a company known for its free, open source operating system and community built distribution of Android for smartphones and tablets, finally received Google's approval to produce the Oppo N1 phone after previously warning them in Nov. 2013 that its installer encourages phone owners to void their warranty.

Users of Samsung Galaxy Note 3 may encounter low WiFI problems and similar connectivity issues. Some users reported not getting more than 54MB while surfing. Fortunately, there are several ways for them to boost their connection speed.

Apple Inc's deal with China Mobile was the most anticipated agreement by investors as the world's biggest mobile carrier was expected to make a big announcement on December 18. However, the day had passed without a single word from both parties, leaving investors disappointed.

New Zealand's economic growth is faster than most countries including Australia. According to Finance Minister Bill English, the latest statistics revealed that gross domestic product (GDP) growth of New Zealand was 3.5 per cent in Sept compared to 2.3 per cent of Australia's GDP.

Hershey Co, famous for the Kisses, Reese and its namesake chocolate bars, has expanded in China and purchased 80 per cent of the local iconic Shanghai Golden Monkey Food Joint Stock Co Ltd for $584 million.

The state legislature of California in the U.S. is set to push in January 2014 a bill that would require smartphone manufacturers to input a mandatory "kill switch" technology that would render stolen phones inoperable.

For a more comprehensive preview of next week's events, please refer to "The Monday Report", published each Monday morning.

By Sean Brodrick, Resource Strategist, The Oxford ClubThey say that a bell never rings at the top and the bottom of the market.

It doesn’t matter if Michael Jordan’s 56,000 square foot 7-acre mansion didn’t sell at the auction that took place on Dec. 16, he is really determined to get rid of it.

By Rudi Filapek-Vandyck, Editor FNArenaThis is it Folks! The fact that you are reading this story means FNArena has written and published its final story for 2013.

U.S. retail giant Target Corporation has confirmed reports that it is investigating a security breach on credit and debit card information of its customers. Around 40 million shoppers who purchased from the company’s stores across the country from November 27 and December 15 are feared to be affected by the theft.

Reebok Australia is under fire for promising consumers toned thighs and calves if they use its EasyTone shoes. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has launched legal action against the sports company for making false, misleading, or deceptive representations about the workout shoes.

Bitcoins plunged to $625 in value as China bans the virtual money on real world use. Its price dropped by $200 when Zhou Jinhuang, People’s Bank of China’s deputy director of payment clearance, told third party payment providers that “they can no longer work with Bitcoin exchanges,” Forbes reported.

Sony and Microsoft released the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. As the rivalry continues, gamers can look forward for more next generation consoles. Recent reports hint what people can expect from the next PlayStation 5 and Xbox. There were also reports showing the concept for the next-generation Wii. It will definitely be a packed season.

Melbourne man Steve Sammartino co-created the world’s first life-sized and drivable Lego car

Due to the popular and strong sales of iPhone 5S, Susquehanna Financial Group predicted that Apple’s stocks may go up to $650.

This particular Holiday 2013 Gift Guide features wonderful gifts that give back to those in need. It's a great feeling to receive gifts, but when you are giving gifts, it's even better. Whether you will be the giver or the receiver of gifts this season, it's a nice touch that someone else will benefit from this traditional exchange of gifts this Christmas. Some of the products mentioned in this gift guide include nail polish, makeup, accessories and even a bike!

China is no longer the stronghold of the world's supply of rare earths, according to a latest assessment released by the Pentagon of the U.S.' industrial base.