FX.co ★ New Zealand Stocks Slip in Morning Trade

The NZX 50 fell 45 points, or 0.4%, to 12,887 in Wednesday morning trade, snapping a two-session winning streak and hitting its lowest level since March 30. The move followed an overnight decline on Wall Street amid uncertainty over the outcome of US–Iran peace talks.

Investor sentiment was further pressured by rising inflation concerns after Finance Minister Nicola Willis signaled that inflation would be higher next quarter, even as the RBNZ remains focused on price stability. Data released on Tuesday showed annual inflation at 3.1% in Q1, unchanged from Q4’s 1.5-year high and above market expectations of 2.9%. The reading remained outside the RBNZ’s 1–3% target band.

Losses were partly limited after US President Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire with Iran. Industrials, consumer staples, and financials led the decline on the NZX 50, with notable laggards including Meridian Energy (-1.1%), Port of Tauranga (-1.0%), Infratil (-0.7%), and Ebos Group (-0.6%).