S&P/NZX 50 Index

New Zealand's Filled Jobs Increase 0.2% in April, Stats NZ Says

The seasonally adjusted number of filled jobs across New Zealand industries rose 0.2% month-over-month to 2.4 million in April, following a 0.3% increase in March, data from Stats NZ showed on Tuesday.Filled jobs in the primary, goods-producing, and service industries rose by 0.4%, 0.1%, and 0.2%, respectively.In April, there were 2.4 million actual filled jobs, increasing by 0.5%, or 12,749 jobs, from April 2025.By industry, the largest increase by percentage was in public administration and safety, with filled jobs up 3.4%, or 5,465 jobs, compared with April 2025. The health care and social assistance segment saw filled jobs climb 2%, or by 5,526 jobs over the same period.Meanwhile, total gross earnings rose 2.5%, or NZ$400 million, in April on an accrual basis from the same month in the prior year, while total gross earnings for April came in at NZ$16.1 billion.

New Zealand Shares Rise; Scales Reaffirms 2026 Underlying Net Profit After Tax Guidance

New Zealand shares ended higher on Wednesday as investors digested the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's decision to hold the official cash rate steady.The S&P/NZX 50 Index rose 1.21% or 158.07 points to close at 13,227.81.The Reserve Bank of New Zealand's (RBNZ) monetary policy committee decided to keep the official cash rate steady at 2.25%, according to a statement.Iran said on Tuesday that the US had breached a ceasefire by striking targets near the Strait of Hormuz, potentially complicating efforts to end the war, according to a Tuesday Reuters report.In corporate news, Scales (NZE:SCL) reaffirmed its market guidance of an underlying net profit after tax attributable to shareholders of between NZ$50 million and NZ$55 million for the full year.Air New Zealand (ASX:AIZ, NZE:AIR) informed customers of further flight cuts from August to October amidst a jet fuel crisis in the wake of the conflict in the Middle East, according to a report by Radio New Zealand.

RBNZ Press Conference: Three Different Scenarios Discussed at Monetary Policy Meeting Among Many Different Possible Paths that the Economy Could Take

RBNZ Press Conference: RBNZ Will 'Wait and See' What Finance Minister Nicola Willis Says in Budget on Thursday

RBNZ Press Conference: Even if Middle East Conflict Stops Before Next Meeting, Economic Impacts Will be Feeding through Over Time

RBNZ Press Conference: OCR Would Most Likely Need to Increase Sooner and by More than Projected in February Monetary Policy Statement

RBNZ Press Conference: Governor Anna Breman Voted to Hold Official Cash Rate

RBNZ Press Conference: Three Committee Members Voted to Hold, Three Voted to Lift Official Cash Rate by 25 Basis Points

RBNZ Holds Cash Rate Steady at 2.25%, Inflation Expected to Peak in September Quarter

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand's (RBNZ) monetary policy committee decided to keep the official cash rate steady at 2.25%, according to a Wednesday statement.The Middle East conflict is increasing near-term inflation and weakening economic activity. RBNZ said inflation is expected to peak at 4.3% in the September quarter and to return to the 2% target mid-point in mid-2027. Annual consumers price inflation was 3.1% in the March quarter.Core inflation, wage growth, and medium- to long-term inflation expectations remain consistent with inflation returning to the 2% target mid-point over the medium term. The outlook for medium-term inflation pressures is uncertain, and they could remain elevated if households and businesses expect higher costs in future. However, weak demand and elevated unemployment will dampen medium-term inflation pressures.Business contacts and surveys in New Zealand indicate weaker confidence and spending. Consumer confidence has fallen sharply, and the housing market remains weak.The central bank said the policy rate will most likely need to increase sooner, and the pace of the increases will depend on the relative influence of persistent wage- and price-setting behavior versus weaker economic activity on medium-term inflation pressures.

NZX Midday Sector Update: Consumer Durables Sector Soars, Finance Struggles

The consumer durables shares gained the most on New Zealand's Exchange, rising almost 11% on Wednesday.Shares of KMD Brands (NZE:KMD, ASX:KMD) rose nearly 14% in recent trade.The company on Wednesday reported a 5.2% jump in third-quarter sales, helped by strength in its flagship Kathmandu segment, even as its footwear business Oboz saw a decline amid geopolitical and market tensions.On the flip side, the finance sector struggled, shedding almost 3%.Shares of ANZ Group Holdings (NZE:ANZ, ASX:ANZ) dropped by more than 4% in recent trade.

Reserve Bank of New Zealand Maintains Official Cash Rate at 2.25%

New Zealand Shares Rise; New Zealand King Salmon Investments Reports Profit for Fiscal H1

New Zealand shares ended higher on Tuesday while Asian stocks were mixed amid new US strikes against Iran.The S&P/NZX 50 Index rose 0.77% or 99.46 points to close at 13,069.74.The US on Monday launched strikes on southern Iran on targets including boats allegedly laying mines and missile launch sites, describing the operations as defensive measures, according to a Monday Reuters report."The market wants to believe that it's all going to end soon, because the war not ending is quite bad for the world economy. The world economy's had these buffers of running down inventories, but you can't keep running down inventories," said Commonwealth Bank of Australia Strategist Joseph Capurso, as quoted by Reuters.In domestic news, total new residential mortgage lending in New Zealand fell to NZ$7.99 billion in April from NZ$9.5 billion in March, according to data from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.In corporate news, New Zealand King Salmon Investments (NZE:NZK, ASX:NZK) reported Tuesday fiscal first-half earnings of NZ$0.03 per share.Radius Residential Care (NZE:RAD) completed its purchase of the Karori care home in Wellington.

New Zealand New Residential Mortgage Lending Falls in April

Total new residential mortgage lending in New Zealand fell to NZ$7.99 billion in April from NZ$9.5 billion in March, according to data from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand released on Tuesday.Residential mortgage lending to first home buyers fell to NZ$1.65 billion in April from NZ$1.99 billion in the previous month. Lending to other owner-occupiers decreased to NZ$4.76 billion from NZ$5.49 billion.Residential mortgage lending to investors fell to NZ$1.46 billion from NZ$1.89 billion, while that for business purposes decreased to NZ$119 million from NZ$134 million.Total new residential lending at a loan-to-valuation ratio above 80% came in at NZ$1.17 billion in April for all borrower types, down from NZ$1.38 billion in March.Residential mortgage lending, where the loan-to-valuation ratio is equal to 80% or below, was NZ$6.82 billion for all borrower types, down from NZ$8.12 billion in the previous month.

NZX Midday Sector Update: Health Technology Rises, Commercial Services Tank

Health technology stocks gained the most on New Zealand's Exchange, rising nearly 6% by midday Tuesday.Fisher & Paykel Healthcare (NZE:FPH, ASX:FPH) shares climbed almost 7% in recent trade.The company reported Tuesday fiscal 2026 underlying earnings of NZ$0.793 per share, up from NZ$0.639 a year earlier.Meanwhile, the commercial services sector declined past 1%.PGG Wrightson (NZE:PGW) was down past 3% in recent trade.

Asia Week Ahead: Policy Rate Decisions, Inflation Prints and GDP Reports

Asia's economic calendar this week features a mix of inflation data, interest rate decisions, GDP releases and industrial figures across the region.The week opens with Singapore's GDP and inflation data, plus Thailand's trade figures, followed on Tuesday by Taiwan's industrial production and retail sales reports.Mid-week, attention turns to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's policy decision and Australia's inflation print. On Thursday, the Bank of Korea will announce its rate decision, while Hong Kong releases trade data and India reports industrial and manufacturing output figures.Friday will be the busiest day for macro releases, led by a batch of key indicators from Japan. The week wraps up with China's PMI readings on Sunday.Here's what to watch in the week ahead.MONDAY, May 25Singapore's economy grew 6.0% year over year in the first quarter, government data showed, beating the 4.6% flash estimate and accelerating from the 5.7% growth in Q4.The expansion was driven by strong performances in the wholesale trade, manufacturing, and finance and insurance sectors.Meanwhile, the city-state's annual inflation rate held steady at 1.8% in April, unchanged from March but below market expectations of 2%.Core inflation, on the other hand, eased to 1.4% in April from 1.7% a month prior.In Thailand, exports surged 23.1% year over year to $31.6 billion in April, accelerating from an 18.7% increase in March and beating forecasts of 16.2%.Imports likewise strengthened, expanding 45% in April to $41.6 billion, compared with a rise of 35.7% a month prior.As a result, the trade deficit ballooned to $10.02 billion in April from $3.3 billion a year earlier, far above forecasts of a $5.1 billion shortfall.TUESDAY, May 26Singapore will release its April industrial production data, while Taiwan is due to report both industrial production and retail sales figures for the month.WEDNESDAY, May 27New Zealand's central bank will hold its policy meeting, with analysts expecting no change to the country's official cash rate of 2.25%, according to a Trading Economics consensus.Australia is set to release inflation figures on the same day. Consumer prices rose 4.6% year on year in March, the fastest pace since September 2023, and are expected to accelerate to 5.1% in April as oil prices climb amid the Middle East conflict.Meanwhile, China will report its industrial profits for April. A pair of confidence reports covering business and consumer sentiment will be due in South Korea and Taiwan, respectively.THURSDAY, May 28The Bank of Korea is set to meet for its policy rate decision, with markets watching for any change to its current 2.5% benchmark rate amid inflation and growth pressures linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.Hong Kong will release its monthly trade figures. The April reading could show a narrowing of the trade deficit to HK$46 billion from HK$89.1 billion in March, Trading Economics forecasted.Meanwhile, India will report its industrial and manufacturing production data for April.Markets will also watch New Zealand's ANZ Business Confidence report for May, after the index dropped to -10.6 in April -- its first negative reading since August 2023 -- as the Middle East conflict weighed on sentiment.FRIDAY, May 29Japan's usual end-of-month data deluge, which includes the release of inflation, unemployment rate, industrial production and retail sales, will provide insights into the country's economic health.Markets will also watch Taiwan's final Q1 GDP growth figures for any revision from the preliminary estimate, which showed the economy expanding by 13.7%.Other highlights include trade balance figures from Macau and the Philippines, and export and import price data from Singapore.Both South Korea and Thailand will report their monthly industrial production and retail sales stats, while Macau will report its unemployment rate for April.Lastly, a report capturing business confidence in April will be due in the Philippines.SUNDAY, May 31China, the biggest economy in Asia, will release its official May PMI data covering manufacturing, non-manufacturing and general activity.

New Zealand Shares Flat; Radius Residential Care Expands Debt Facilities by NZ$30 Million

New Zealand shares ended flat with a negative bias on Monday, amid a fall in oil prices on hopes of a resolution of the conflict in the Middle East.The S&P/NZX 50 Index was little changed to close at 12,970.28.Brent crude oil futures fell over ​4% to $98.83 per barrel. US President Donald Trump said he had told ​his representatives not to rush into any deal with Iran. Earlier, the President said the US and Iran had "largely negotiated" a memorandum of understanding on a deal to reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz.In corporate news, Radius Residential Care (NZE:RAD) restructured and expanded its bank debt facilities with a new lending syndicate comprising Commonwealth Bank of Australia's ASB Bank and the Bank of China New Zealand, increasing its available funding by NZ$30 million.Pacific Edge (ASX:PEB, NZE:PEB) reported a fiscal year 2026 loss of NZ$0.038 per share, compared with NZ$0.037 a year earlier. Operating revenue for the 12 months ended March 31 was NZ$11.5 million, compared with NZ$21.8 million a year earlier.Eroad (ASX:ERD, NZE:ERD) reported that it swung to a loss of NZ$0.8582 per share in the fiscal 2026 from a profit of NZ$0.0073 a year earlier. Revenue for the 12 months ended March 31 was NZ$195.2 million, compared with NZ$194.4 million a year earlier.

NZX Midday Sector Update: Consumer Services Stocks Jump, Technology Services Sector Struggles

Consumer services stocks advanced nearly 2% at midday Monday.SkyCity Entertainment Group (NZE:SKC, ASX:SKC) gained almost 1% in recent trade.On the flip side, the technology services sector struggled, shedding more than 2%.Shares of Vista Group International (NZE:VGL, ASX:VGL) fell 2% in recent trade.

New Zealand Shares Rise; Downer EDI Buys Back Nearly 168,000 Ordinary Shares

New Zealand shares ended higher on Friday as Asian markets saw gains amid hopes for an end to the US-Iran conflict.The S&P/NZX 50 Index rose 0.88% or 113.24 points to close at 12,991.31.While the US and Iran stuck to their opposing stances over Iran's uranium stockpile and the control of the Strait of Hormuz, US Secretary of ​State Marco Rubio said there had been "some good signs" in negotiations with Iran, according to a Thursday Reuters report.In domestic news, the total volume of seasonally adjusted retail sales in New Zealand reached NZ$26.04 billion in the March quarter, up 0.9% from NZ$25.81 billion in the December 2025 quarter, according to data from Stats NZ.Also, New Zealand's retail sales data for the March quarter is indicative of "decent growth" in gross domestic product for the period, but likely not as strong as the central bank's 1.1% estimate issued in February, the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) said in a report.Further, New Zealand's total vehicle registrations were 4.6 million in April, a decrease of 28,966 from the previous month, covering both six and 12-month licensing periods, data from Stats NZ showed.In corporate news, Scott Technology (NZE:SCT) said that Chief Financial Officer Mark O'Malley is set to resign effective July 3.Downer EDI (ASX:DOW, NZE:DOW) repurchased 167,787 ordinary shares on Thursday for AU$1.3 million in total as part of an on-market buyback.

Global Factors Currently Most Relevant Influence on Fuel Prices in New Zealand, ANZ Says

The fuel price for consumers in New Zealand is driven by a combination of global and domestic factors, but global variables are currently the most relevant influence, ANZ said in its weekly Fuel Market Watch report on Friday.The top global factors include the US dollar price of crude oil, refining margins, international freight and insurance costs, as well as the exchange rate for the New Zealand dollar, based on which those costs are converted into local currency.Meanwhile, domestic influences on the price include the cost of distributing fuel, other wholesaler and retailer costs and margins, and taxes and levies, ANZ said.The bank said forecasting the New Zealand consumer price index has become a lot more complex in recent weeks, as any estimate must be selective about which oil market to look at, refining margins, and freight costs, among other factors."Gone are the days where any global crude benchmark price converted into [New Zealand dollars] will give you a pretty good steer on the quarterly change in prices at the pump," ANZ said.