NZX 50 Reaches 4-Week High, Closes Up 1%

The NZX 50 rose 125 points, or 1.0%, to close at 13,271 on Thursday, extending gains from the previous session and tracking a rally on Wall Street overnight amid hopes of a potential end to the US-Iran war and solid AI stock earnings. The broader index hit its highest level since April 9, with almost all sectors trading in the green, including technology, financials, consumer staples, materials, and energy. Wednesday's unemployment data continued to lift sentiment, as the jobless rate unexpectedly declined to 5.3% in Q1. The latest figure was lower than both the previous quarter and market expectations of 5.4%, which had been the highest level since Q2 2015. Top performers included Gentrack Group (7.3%), Infratil (4.1%), A2 Milk (2.5%), Hallenstein Glasson (2.5%), Henderson Far East Income (2.4%), Ebos Group (2.3%), Westpac Banking Corp. (2.1%), Scales Corporation (2.0%), Contact Energy (1.1%), and ANZ Group (0.8%).

The NZX 50 rose 84 points, or 0.6%, to 13,229 in Thursday morning trade, extending gains from the previous session and tracking a rally on Wall Street overnight amid hopes of a potential US-Iran end to the war and solid AI stock earnings. Wednesday's unemployment data continued to lift sentiment, as the jobless rate unexpectedly declined to 5.3% in Q1. The latest figure was lower than both the previous quarter and market expectations of 5.4%, which had been the highest level since Q2 2015. The broader index hit its highest level since April 9, mainly supported by the healthcare, tech, and materials sectors. A statement from RBNZ Governor Anna Breman also continued to fuel sentiment, noting that the country’s financial system is resilient and well-positioned to support households and businesses. Top performers included Fisher & Paykel (2.1%), Gentrack Group (1.9%), Ebos Group (1.4%), AFT Pharmaceuticals (1.1%), Contact Energy (1.0%), A2 Milk (0.6%), and Westpac Banking Corp. (0.5%).

The NZX 50 climbed 109 points, or 0.8%, to 13,145 in Wednesday morning trade, halting losses from the previous session after the unemployment rate unexpectedly declined in Q1 2026. The latest data showed New Zealand’s unemployment rate inched down to 5.3% in Q1, lower than both the previous quarter and market expectations of 5.4%, which had been the highest level since Q2 2015. The broader index hit its highest level since April 10, mainly buoyed by financials, materials, and energy stocks. Sentiment was also lifted by a statement from RBNZ Governor Anna Breman in the Financial Stability Report, noting that the country’s financial system is resilient and well-positioned to support households and businesses. The index tracked a rise in US futures following a rally on Wall Street overnight, supported by solid earnings reports and lower energy prices. Among the top movers were Infratil (13.2%), Westpac Banking Corp. (4.4%), Turners Automotive Group (3.6%), and ANZ Group (2.6%).