A Consumer NZ investigation of financial advisers has found the advice being given was "scandalously poor".

Westpac today reported net profit for its New Zealand division has been cut in half during the current recession.

Rising dairy prices continue to underpin gains in the ANZ Commodity Price Index, which has recorded its seventh straight monthly gain last month.

Investors in a $286.2 million listed medical property business demanded information yesterday about a takeover by ANZ.