The NZX 50 inched down 12 points, or 0.1%, to close at 13,187 on Friday, marking a second straight decline as weakness in logistics, industrial services, and transport weighed on sentiment. Early losses were partly offset by gains in energy minerals and consumer services, but the benchmark index still posted its second consecutive weekly drop, down about 2.5%. Bearish momentum was fueled by the escalating Middle East conflict, which kept crude prices elevated and stoked inflation concerns. Meanwhile, Washington’s latest trade probes into excess industrial capacity and forced labor raised fears of new tariffs on key partners, including China, New Zealand’s largest trading partner. Traders now await key domestic data next week, including New Zealand’s food inflation in February and Q4 GDP. Among Friday’s notable laggards were Freightways (-2.9%), Hallenstein Glasson (-2.5%), Tourism Holdings (-2.5%), and AFT Pharmaceuticals (-2.2%).
