New Zealand shares advanced 112 points, or 0.8%, to close at 13,420 on Monday, reversing a 1.0% decline in the prior session amid strength mainly from healthcare, producer manufacturing, and consumer non-durables. Risk appetite improved after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Trump’s sweeping levies, prompting him to raise temporary tariffs on imports to 15% from 10%. Meanwhile, Trump plans to visit China from March 31 to April 2 for talks with Xi Jinping, likely centered on tariffs. Locally, Q4 2025 retail sales beat forecasts on stronger discretionary spending. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank last week held the cash rate at 2.25% and signaled no hikes until growth strengthens. Still, a sharp drop in U.S. futures capped momentum ahead of Nvidia’s results later this week, as U.S. Q4 growth slowed more than expected, and December inflation picked up. Top performers included Tourism Holdings (9.2%), Winton Land (6.1%), Fisher & Paykel Healthcare (3.6%), and Fonterra Co-Op (2.5%).
