Wellington, Dec 16 NZPA - The Government is promising a quick response in the new year to a report recommending a range of moves to improve capital markets in New Zealand.

Wellington, Dec 16 NZPA - Partial privatisation of state assets, a new watchdog for capital markets and partial state funding of research on small companies are among the recommendations of the final report of Capital Markets Development Taskforce presented to Commerce Minister Simon Power today.

Wellington, Aug 6 NZPA - The Government may be asked to fund research by analysts into small companies in a bid to improve capital markets in New Zealand. The idea is an option in a draft report commissioned by the Capital Market Development Taskforce.

Wellington, Aug 5 NZPA - There is no research by analysts available on 42 percent of companies listed on NZX, according to the Capital Market Development Taskforce.

Wellington, March 24 NZPA - Investment writer and commentator Mary Holm has joined the capital market development taskforce.

Wellington, April 22 NZPA - A news website on personal finance news has been rolled out by Wellington-based online publisher Digital Advance.

The offers are already being made to people facing big mortgage interest rises. "If your lender won't renegotiate, we've got deals that will lower your payments," they say. Are these deals any good?

The term "mortgage diversion" will be on more and more lips as KiwiSaver gains wider adoption.

The volume of house sales is slowing. Houses are taking longer to sell. And some apartment prices are falling. What if house prices are next to fall? That would clearly be great news for those struggling to buy their first home.