New Zealand Stocks Set for Back-to-Back Weekly Declines

2026-03-12 22:58 By Farida Husna 1 min. read

Shares in New Zealand slipped 71 points, or 0.5%, to 13,130 in early Friday trade, marking a second consecutive drop after a slump on Wall Street Thursday due to surging oil prices.

Iran’s move to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed stoked inflation concerns, with the NZX 50 heading for the second straight weekly drop, down near 3% so far.

Caution also lingered ahead of key domestic releases next week, including February food inflation and Q4 GDP.

On the trade front, the U.S.

launched a new probe into major partners, including China, after the Supreme Court struck down a key element of Trump-era tariffs last month.

Still, losses were offset by upbeat data showing New Zealand's factory activity grew for a third month in February, while visitor arrivals rose 4.1% yoy.

Sector weakness was broad, with consumer durables, healthcare, and non-energy minerals under pressure.

Notable laggards included Spark NZ (-2.2%), Freightways (-2.2%), Infratil (-1.4%), and Turners Automotive (-1.2%).



News Stream
NZX 50 Slips 2.5% This Week
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%).
2026-03-13
New Zealand Stocks Set for Back-to-Back Weekly Declines
Shares in New Zealand slipped 71 points, or 0.5%, to 13,130 in early Friday trade, marking a second consecutive drop after a slump on Wall Street Thursday due to surging oil prices. Iran’s move to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed stoked inflation concerns, with the NZX 50 heading for the second straight weekly drop, down near 3% so far. Caution also lingered ahead of key domestic releases next week, including February food inflation and Q4 GDP. On the trade front, the U.S. launched a new probe into major partners, including China, after the Supreme Court struck down a key element of Trump-era tariffs last month. Still, losses were offset by upbeat data showing New Zealand's factory activity grew for a third month in February, while visitor arrivals rose 4.1% yoy. Sector weakness was broad, with consumer durables, healthcare, and non-energy minerals under pressure. Notable laggards included Spark NZ (-2.2%), Freightways (-2.2%), Infratil (-1.4%), and Turners Automotive (-1.2%).
2026-03-12
NZX 50 Falls 0.7% at Close
The NZX 50 retreated 94 points, or 0.7%, to end at 13,199 on Thursday, reversing the prior session’s rally as U.S. stock futures slumped and oil prices surged back toward USD 100 per barrel amid fresh supply disruptions tied to escalating conflict in the Middle East. The oil rally came despite global efforts to stabilize markets. Sentiment was further dampened by a Q4 2025 drop in New Zealand manufacturing sales, marking a reversal from earlier strength and signaling weaker year-end momentum. Looking ahead, key releases due next week include February food inflation and Q4 GDP. Losses were partly contained by stable U.S. annual inflation in February, ahead of the energy shock. Sector pressure was broad, with financials, transport, non-energy minerals, and healthcare among the top drags. Notable decliners included Sky Network TV (-3.2%), Gentrack Group (-3.0%), Serko Ltd. (-2.9%), Meridian Energy (-2.6%), and Fletcher Building (-2.4%).
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