New Zealand’s benchmark S&P/NZX 50 fell 0.5% to close at 13,349 on Thursday, extending losses from the previous session, as most sectors declined, including healthcare, financials, consumers, and non-energy. Sentiment was pressured by the US Federal Reserve’s decision to keep interest rates unchanged, reinforcing uncertainty around the timing of future rate cuts. Traders monitored local business confidence after it slipped 10 points from December’s 30-year high of 73.6. Among the laggards were EBOS Group (-1.5%), Mainfreight (-1.1%), Auckland International Airport (-1.1%), and Infratil (-0.8%). Investors are now looking ahead to consumer confidence figures due early Friday, followed by Q4 labour market data next week, alongside China’s PMI data over the weekend.
