2026.03.1905:41:39UTC+00Broad Losses Drag NZX 50 to One-Month Low

The NZX 50 fell 264 points, or 2.0%, to close at 13,052 on Thursday, ending a two-day rebound and marking a one‑month low, as declines spread across nearly all sectors. Market sentiment deteriorated after data showed New Zealand’s economy lost momentum in Q4 2025, with GDP expanding just 0.2% qoq, undershooting the 0.4% consensus and sharply down from the 1.1% growth recorded in Q3. On an annual basis, growth came in at 1.3%, below expectations of 1.7%, underscoring the drag from elevated interest rates and persistent cost pressures.

Geopolitical risks also weighed on risk appetite, with Middle East tensions keeping Brent crude near USD 100 per barrel after strikes on key energy infrastructure heightened concerns over potential supply disruptions. Among the worst performers on the day were Spark NZ (-5.3%), Gentrack Group (-5.1%), T&G Global (-4.5%), and Summerset Group (-4.3%).

Looking ahead, investors are eyeing New Zealand’s February trade data due Friday, following a narrower deficit in January. Attention is also on China, where markets await the monthly setting of key lending benchmark rates after the central bank left them at record lows in February.