New Zealand Shares Notch Another Record Peak

The NZX 50 was down 23 points, or 0.2%, to close at 13,164 on Monday, marking a third straight decline. Sentiment was rattled by the Middle East conflict, now in its third week with no signs of easing, while oil prices remained elevated above USD 100 per barrel. Vigilance also grew ahead of key domestic data later this week, including New Zealand's February food inflation and Q4 GDP. Adding to concerns, service activity in the country shrank for the first time in three months during February, highlighting lingering fragility in economic growth momentum. Still, losses were offset by a rebound in U.S. futures after Wall Street’s Friday slump. Meanwhile, activity data in China, New Zealand's top trading partner, pointed to solid industrial output, retail sales, and fixed-asset investment in the first two months of 2026. Notable decliners included Hallenstein Glasson Holdings (-2.3%), Tourism Holdings (-2.2%), Sky Network Television (-2.1%), and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare (-2.0%).

New Zealand stocks slipped 44 points, or 0.3%, to 13,143 in Monday morning trade, extending losses for a third straight session after Wall Street’s weak Friday close rattled sentiment. At the same time, oil prices surged past USD 100 per barrel, with reports of 2,500 U.S. Marines moving to the Middle East stirring geopolitical caution. Investors also stayed guarded ahead of key domestic releases this week, including February food inflation and Q4 GDP. In top trading partner China, activity data for January–February, covering among others industrial output and retail sales, is due later today. Still, downside momentum was tempered by fresh figures showing a rebound in New Zealand’s February retail card spending. Sectoral weakness was broad, led by consumer durables, services, non-energy minerals, and healthcare. Early laggards included Fletcher Building (-2.3%), Hallenstein Glasson (-2.1%), PGG Wrightson (-1.9%), and Scott Tech (-1.7%).

The NZX 50 inched down 12 points, or 0.1%, to close at 13,187 on Friday, marking a second straight decline as weakness in logistics, industrial services, and transport weighed on sentiment. Early losses were partly offset by gains in energy minerals and consumer services, but the benchmark index still posted its second consecutive weekly drop, down about 2.5%. Bearish momentum was fueled by the escalating Middle East conflict, which kept crude prices elevated and stoked inflation concerns. Meanwhile, Washington’s latest trade probes into excess industrial capacity and forced labor raised fears of new tariffs on key partners, including China, New Zealand’s largest trading partner. Traders now await key domestic data next week, including New Zealand's food inflation in February and Q4 GDP. Among Friday’s notable laggards were Freightways (-2.9%), Hallenstein Glasson (-2.5%), Tourism Holdings (-2.5%), and AFT Pharmaceuticals (-2.2%).