Clearly, the world economy is in a poor state at present and despite our reputation for being less than cheery, even we have been surprised by the extent of the weakness that now afflicts the global economy.

International rating agency Moodys is expecting the speculative-grade default rate to balloon out this year.

Dorchester Pacific has appointed two general managers, who replace the previous management team of six executives.

The news for investors in credit funds hasn’t been good at the start of 2009. NZDX-listed Credit Sails told the exchange earlier this week that it had lost more than 70% of their principal.

For nearly a month there home loan rates have stayed reasonably static with few changes to report – however that is likely to change very soon.

Equitable has closed down its second-tier finance business, Bastion Finance, due to the changing market conditions.

Auckland International Airport has opened a retail bond looking to raise $50 million. The interest rate initially being offered for the full term of the bonds is 7.25%.

One of The Investment Store's business development managers, Chris Smith, is leaving and heading back to the UK.

No doubt a theme of 2009 will be adviser regulation, following the passage the Financial Advisers' Bill into law last year.

TOWER Investments has restructured and relaunched its international bond funds so the benefits of Fair Dividend Rate (FDR) tax rules can be passed on to taxpaying unitholders.

Mercer has elevated Martin Lewington to the role of New Zealand business leader, extending his current role as head of investments to oversee the company’s entire business in New Zealand.

New Zealand households have increased their wealth by 85% over the past 10 years and there are signs that the composition of their balance sheet is changing.

Insurance advisers are being urged to take advantage of an Inland Revenue programme on GST for income earned on risk insurance products, such as income protection and health and disability.

The Securities Commission has laid charges against directors of Nathans Finance and the remaining directors of Bridgecorp over misleading documents.

Head of Mercer’s investment consulting business in Australia and New Zealand, Simon Eagleton, discusses these six trends for 2009.

Mercer’s investment consulting business has identified six key investment themes for 2009 to help institutional investors steer a path through the current capital market storm.