Contango Microcap reported a net loss of $22 million for the first half, falling from a net profit of $50.6 million in the previous corresponding period. The investment company blamed a decline in the value of its investments for the result. No dividend for the six months ended December 31 has been declared. Separately, Contango Capital Partners reported a net loss of $2.49 million compared with a profit of $1.97 million. Staff reporter

Australian businesses are increasingly neglecting bills, the number of “severely delinquent" payments jumping over the Christmas period, Dun & Bradstreet has found. During the December quarter, the number of bills 90 days overdue or longer rose 20 per cent compared with the same period a year earlier. Staff reporter