New Zealand’s benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index fell 0.7% to close at 13,660 on Thursday, pulling back from all-time highs, with most sectors retreating including industrials, healthcare, tech, and utilities. Mixed signals from global markets, with tech underperforming and commodities easing, set a cautious tone for investors. Attention now turns to upcoming data, with food inflation and business PMI due early Friday, followed by Q4 inflation figures next week. Heavyweight stocks contributing to the decline included Fisher & Paykel (-1.3%), Auckland International Airport (-0.8%), Infratil (-2.8%), EBOS Group (-0.6%), Ryman Healthcare (-1.3%), Meridian Energy (-1.2%), Mainfreight (-0.8%), and Vista Group (-4.7%). On the global front, the Davos report flagged rising global tensions between major powers as the biggest short-term threat for 2026, particularly highlighting risks for exporters tied to US-China trade.
