New Zealand Shares Pare Gains, End Up 0.1%

The NZX 50 climbed 17 points, or 0.1%, to close at 12,932, paring earlier gains from the morning session while extending advances from the previous session after fresh data showed inflation remained steady in Q1. Inflation stood at 3.1% in Q1, unchanged from Q4’s 1.5-year high and above forecasts of 2.9%, topping the RBNZ’s 1–3% target range and raising expectations that the RBNZ will hold interest rates at its upcoming meeting, as GDP growth eased on a quarter-on-quarter basis in Q4 2025. The broader index tracked gains in US futures amid optimism over a second round of US–Iran negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan. Real estate, technology, and energy stocks led the market, with notable gains from Mainfreight (+3.7%), Ventia Services Group (2.9%), Hallenstein Glasson Holdings (+2.4%), F&C Investment Trust (+1.7%), Gentrack Group (1.4%), Port of Tauranga (+1.1%), and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare (+0.4%).

The NZX 50 climbed 29 points, or 0.2%, to 12,944 in early trading on Tuesday, extending gains from the previous session after fresh data showed inflation remained steady in Q1. Inflation stood at 3.1% in Q1, unchanged from Q4’s 1.5-year high and above forecasts of 2.9%, topping the RBNZ’s 1–3% target range and raising expectations that the RBNZ will hold interest rates at its upcoming meeting, as GDP growth eased (qoq) in Q4 2025. Most sectors traded in the green, including energy, consumer staples, healthcare, and real estate. The broader index tracked gains in US futures, though renewed Middle East tensions following a setback in US–Iran negotiations limited upside. Data released on Monday continued to lift sentiment, as the country posted an NZ$0.70 billion surplus in March, swinging from an NZ$0.79 billion deficit in the same month of 2025. Early gainers included F&C Investment Trust (2.9%), A2 Milk (1.4%), Fisher & Paykel (1.1%), Sky Network TV (1.0%), and Mainfreight (0.4%).

The NZX 50 rose 10 points, or 0.1%, to close at 12,915 on Monday, partly erasing earlier gains, and halting losses from the previous two sessions, with support from financials, technology, and materials stocks. Latest trade data from New Zealand lifted sentiment, as the country posted an NZ$0.70 billion surplus in March, swinging from an NZ$0.79 billion deficit in the same month of 2025. However, a decline in U.S. futures after Iran again closed the Strait of Hormuz, following the U.S. seizure of an Iranian vessel, capped gains. Traders are also anticipating the release of Q1 inflation data on Tuesday to guide the central bank’s monetary policy decisions amid rising oil prices. Among the top performers were Henderson Far East Income (2.6%), Gentrack Group (2.2%), Infratil (2.1%), Meridian Energy (2.0%), Colonial Motor Company (1.7%), and ANZ Group (1.4%).