Uncertainty over next week's Budget with its potential for tax increases for landlords is being blamed for a sluggish property market.

Finance company GE is likely to appeal a court decision that its loans to two retired Blue Chip investors are "oppressive".

The Securities Commission has appointed an inspector to probe the collapse of the country's second-largest finance company.

The NZ sharemarket's benchmark index fell to a two-month low today as the escalating debt crisis in Europe stoked fears of a new credit crunch.