16.03.202604:24:58UTC+00NZX 50 Finishes 0.2% Lower

The NZX 50 fell 23 points, or 0.2%, to close at 13,164 on Monday, extending its losing streak to a third consecutive session. Market sentiment remained fragile amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, now in its third week with no sign of de-escalation, and with oil prices staying above USD 100 per barrel. Caution was also heightened ahead of key domestic releases later this week, including New Zealand’s February food inflation data and Q4 GDP figures. Adding to the unease, service sector activity contracted in February for the first time in three months, underscoring persistent weakness in the country’s growth momentum. Losses on the local market were partially limited by a rebound in U.S. futures, following a sharp sell-off on Wall Street on Friday. Meanwhile, activity indicators from China, New Zealand’s largest trading partner, signalled solid growth in industrial production, retail sales, and fixed-asset investment over the first two months of 2026. Among the notable decliners were Hallenstein Glasson Holdings (-2.3%), Tourism Holdings (-2.2%), Sky Network Television (-2.1%), and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare (-2.0%).