New Zealand Stocks Fall for 2nd Day

2025-04-30 05:53 By Judith Sib-at 1 min. read

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index tumbled 1% to close at 11,903 on Wednesday, marking its second straight session of losses, as concerns about the impact of tariffs on the global economy continued to dominate investor sentiment.

Locally, sentiment was further dampened by weak economic data.

ANZ Bank survey showed New Zealand’s business confidence dropped to a nine-month low in April, with most forward-looking activity indicators weighed down by tariff worries.

Adding to the gloom, fresh data from China—New Zealand’s largest trading partner—showed a contraction in manufacturing activity for April, reversing two months of recovery.

The health services sector led the market downturn, with Ryman Healthcare and Summerset Group shedding 5.6% and 2.2%, respectively.

Among large cap-stocks, notable declines were seen in Auckland Intl Airport (-3.3%), Mercury NZ (-2.1%), Contact Energy (-2.6%), and A2 Milk (-1%).

For April, the index lost 3%, marking its fourth straight monthly decline.



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