Commercial Vehicle Refinancing Links

News in brief

Here are a selection of brief news items from this week’s paper edition, and possibly a few news briefs that didn’t make it in the paper.

Stocks to watch: Dorchester, Fletcher, Hellaby Holdings

Dorchester is expecting to increase lending on its motor vehicle book from $13 million a year to $70 million, Fletcher Building shares rose 5% yesterday on prospects as a result of the Canterbury earthquake and Hellaby Holdings has turned the recovery corner.

Stocks to watch: September 7

The following stocks may be active on the New Zealand exchange after developments since the close of trading. All prices are in New Zealand dollars unless specified.

U.S. housing value down at least $4 trillion

If you've recently had your house reappraised for sale or refinancing, and wonder where the equity went, consider this: Since the real estate boom ground to a painful close about 31/2 years ago, the nation's housing stock has shed from about $4 trillion to $7.1 trillion in value.

REITs Attract Yield-Hungry Investors

The U.S. commercial real estate market has so far averted the catastrophe that many strategists were predicting last year. Even after sales of existing homes plummeted 27 percent to record lows in July, threatening further home-price declines, analysts see commercial real estate values stabilizing. ...