The NZX 50 edged up 16 points, or 0.1%, to 13,289 in Friday morning trading, extending its winning streak to five sessions. The move followed a sharp overnight rise on Wall Street, as global markets entered a consolidation phase after Wednesday’s relief rally.
Risk sentiment was supported by renewed hopes of de-escalation in the Middle East, after reports that Israel signaled a willingness to negotiate with Lebanon. Confidence was further underpinned by Thursday’s remarks from RBNZ Governor Anna Breman, who said the New Zealand economy is still expected to grow in 2026, assuming the current ceasefire in the Middle East holds.
Traders remained cautious, however, ahead of key inflation releases from both China and the US due later in the day.
Sector-wise, real estate led the advance, followed by financials and industrials. Among the early standouts were Freightways, up 1.3%, Ebos Group, 1.0%, Infratil, 0.6%, Port of Tauranga, 0.6%, and Ryman Healthcare, 0.5%.
For the week, the benchmark index is on track for a 0.3% gain, which would mark its first weekly increase in six weeks, supported by signs of easing tensions in the Middle East conflict.
