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New Zealand Shares Fall Slightly; Air New Zealand Group Capacity Falls in May

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New Zealand shares edged lower on Thursday as investors worldwide digested the interim peace deal signed between the US and Iran.

The S&P/NZX 50 Index fell 0.22%, or 29.67 points, to close at 13,363.31.

The US and Iran on Wednesday disclosed the text of an interim agreement signed by their presidents to end the war, with US President Donald Trump warning that the US would resume attacks and target Iranian officials if Tehran failed to meet its commitments, according to a Thursday Reuters report.

In domestic news, New Zealand's economy expanded 0.8% in the March quarter, following a 0.5% expansion in the previous quarter, Stats NZ data showed.

Also, the volume of job ads in New Zealand ticked 0.3% higher in May from April to post their 18th consecutive month of growth, according to an employment report by Seek.

Further, productivity for small and medium-sized businesses in New Zealand is lagging behind Australia and the UK, but the sector has meaningful opportunities to bridge the gap over time, according to data published by Xero (ASX:XRO).

Meanwhile, New Zealand's first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) data showed that the economy was on an improving path until the conflict in the Middle East broke out, ANZ Research said in a note.

In corporate news, Air New Zealand (ASX:AIZ, NZE:AIR) group capacity edged down 0.1% year on year in May.

NZX (NZE:NZX) has effectively met its market operator obligations during the year ended Dec. 31, 2025.

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