NZX 50 Jumps 1.0% at Close

2026-03-18 04:27 By Farida Husna 1 min. read

The NZX 50 climbed 133 points, or 1.0%, to finish at 13,316 on Wednesday, extending gains from the prior session amid stronger U.S.

futures ahead of the Fed’s rate decision later today, along with its first 2026 economic projections.

In China, New Zealand’s top trading partner, the PBoC will hold a monthly review of its key lending rates on Friday, after keeping them at record lows for nine consecutive months in February to support growth.

Domestically, Q4 GDP data is due in the coming days, with local media suggesting New Zealand's economy is turning a corner, helped by the primary sector and tourism.

However, the escalating Middle East conflict has altered the outlook, with rising prices and supply chain disruptions weighing on sentiment.

Consumer durables, industrial services, and utilities led gains, while logistics, healthcare, and tech services lagged.

Standout performers included Tourism Holdings (6.6%), Scales Corp (4.7%), Hallenstein Glasson (3.0%), and Genesis Energy (2.8%).



News Stream
NZX 50 Jumps 1.0% at Close
The NZX 50 climbed 133 points, or 1.0%, to finish at 13,316 on Wednesday, extending gains from the prior session amid stronger U.S. futures ahead of the Fed’s rate decision later today, along with its first 2026 economic projections. In China, New Zealand’s top trading partner, the PBoC will hold a monthly review of its key lending rates on Friday, after keeping them at record lows for nine consecutive months in February to support growth. Domestically, Q4 GDP data is due in the coming days, with local media suggesting New Zealand's economy is turning a corner, helped by the primary sector and tourism. However, the escalating Middle East conflict has altered the outlook, with rising prices and supply chain disruptions weighing on sentiment. Consumer durables, industrial services, and utilities led gains, while logistics, healthcare, and tech services lagged. Standout performers included Tourism Holdings (6.6%), Scales Corp (4.7%), Hallenstein Glasson (3.0%), and Genesis Energy (2.8%).
2026-03-18
New Zealand Shares Edge Higher Ahead of Fed Decision, Q4 GDP Data
New Zealand equities added 29 points, or 0.2%, to 13,219 in Wednesday morning trade, extending gains from the prior session after Wall Street closed modestly higher Tuesday on expectations that the U.S. Fed will hold rates steady later today. Investors brushed aside local data showing Q1 consumer sentiment weakened as households grew more pessimistic amid rising fuel costs linked to Middle East tensions. Meantime, the Q4 current account deficit slipped to NZD 5.98 billion from NZD 8.36 billion in Q3, though it widened from NZD 5.0 billion a year earlier. Industrial and consumer services led advances, while losses in energy minerals and communications offset them. Among early movers were Tourism Holdings (6.1%), Sky Network Television (3.0%), and PGG Wrightson (1.9%). Market focus now turns to Q4 GDP figures in the Pacific nation and February trade data for further direction. In top trading partner China, the PBoC will review its monthly fixing of key lending rates on Friday.
2026-03-17
NZX 50 Ends Slightly Higher After Recent Slide
The NZX 50 edged up 18 points, or 0.1%, to close at 13,182 on Tuesday, ending in positive territory for the first time in four sessions. Gains followed Wall Street’s extended advance Monday, ahead of the U.S. Fed’s policy meeting that begins later today and concludes Wednesday, with rates expected to remain steady amid geopolitical risks. Sentiment was also supported by upbeat activity data in early 2026 from China, New Zealand’s largest trading partner, with investors largely shrugging off U.S. President Trump’s remarks that his planned visit to the mainland will be delayed by about a month due to the Iran war. The meeting with Xi was previously set for March 31–April 2, following their last talks in October 2025. Sector gains were led by utilities, financials, and industrial services, though weakness in consumer, energy minerals, and healthcare capped upside. Notable movers included Chorus Ltd. (2.0%), Seeka Ltd. (1.9%), Meridian Energy (1.7%), and Napier Port Holdings (1.1%).
2026-03-17