Macquarie’s Fortress notes have been hit by the Refco fraud in the United States, however it doesn’t look like the notes’ interest payments will be reduced.

A case of a real estate agent allegedly refusing to rent a property to a woman because she was Maori was, if correct, totally unsatisfactory and unprofessional, according to the national vice-president of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ), Murray Cleland.

The national median residential house price steadied during September, but the market showed signs of strengthening in confidence with Auckland putting in a strong performance, according to the latest Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) residential real estate figures.

Labour’s new coalition partners look set to have a significant impact on the financial services industry – both in superannuation and tax.

Christchurch

Trading halt on Fortress Notes, possible portfolio event for Generator Bonds, Public Trust makes more than a $1 million and Salvus adds to its holdings.

Wellington

Is the Anglo-Saxon world of strong economic growth and low and stable inflation an oasis or a mirage? Judging by the way financial markets reacted to a chorus of Federal Reserve commentary and a slew of economic data last week it was a mirage that inevitably will fade.

Auckland

A study of hedge funds by KPMG shows that the quality of these investments has been variable and that they have, as yet, been incapable of generating the high double digit returns that investors are led to expect.

Michele Stanton, the financial planner on the Task Force looking at adviser regulation, has sold her business and plans to concentrate on other areas of her expertise.

Not even pre-election jitters could slow the Auckland property market during September. The latest sales figures from leading Auckland real estate firm Barfoot & Thompson show property prices hit a new high last month, topping $469,000 for the first time.