New Zealand shares rose 59 points, or 0.5%, to close at 13,077 on Wednesday, fully reversing losses from the previous three sessions. The market followed overnight gains on Wall Street, supported by optimism over US–Iran ceasefire negotiations.
The benchmark index rebounded from its lowest level since April 2, hit on Tuesday, with healthcare, utilities, consumer discretionary, and financial stocks leading the advance. Sentiment was further buoyed by expectations that China’s economy grew 4.8% year-on-year in Q1, up from 4.5% in Q4 2025. A raft of Chinese economic indicators is due on Thursday, including Q1 GDP, industrial production, and retail sales.
Among the top performers were Ebos Group (+4.1%), Fisher & Paykel Healthcare (+1.3%), and Contact Energy (+1.0%). Ryman Healthcare jumped 4.4% after reporting a 10% year-on-year increase in total sales for Q4 FY2026, while Air New Zealand added 1.7% on the back of solid passenger growth.
