More evidence of an improving economy - from the amount of freight hitting our roads

Freight company Freightways is reporting a 17-percent rise in half-year profit.

Chief Executive Mark Troughear says they're starting to see optimism return, slowly and steadily.

He says after three years of declining volumes from New Zealand customers, volumes are finally starting to pick up again.

Meanwhile, Contact Energy's reporting a 44-percent rise in profit, and is in a trading halt while it starts a major capital raise.

a2 Milk's half year profit ia also up - 9.4 percent.