For the first time in 18 months, more people think NZ house prices will rise than those expecting a fall, says ASB Bank.

While news channels still report the daily stock market moves from the floor of the exchange, the real US trading action is increasingly taking place in "dark pools" managed by computers.

Auckland's biggest real estate firm says the average sale price rose $10,000 in July on the same month last year and look set to stabilise.

Eftpos company ProvencoCadmus has gone into receivership. Michael Stiassny and Brendon Gibson have been appointed receivers.

The Guardians of the Superannuation Fund hold grave fears for the NZX.