FX.co ★ New Zealand Shares Rebound

New Zealand's primary S&P/NZX 50 index increased by 0.5%, closing at 12,068 on Wednesday, recouping losses from the previous session, largely due to robust performance in the financial sector. Heartland Group spearheaded the gains with a remarkable 7.1% increase. Shares of Australia's major banks, Westpac and ANZ Group, also performed well, climbing 1.7% and 2.7%, respectively. Among the large-cap equities, Infratil rose by 3.9%, Contact Energy by 2.5%, and Mainfreight by 1.1%. On the other hand, Air New Zealand's stock remained unchanged as the airline forecasted reduced earnings for 2025 amidst uncertainties linked to global engine maintenance delays and the associated compensation levels. The focus for investors is now on the first-quarter Consumer Price Index data, set to be released on Thursday, to gain insights into the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's forthcoming monetary policy direction. In broader news, China—New Zealand's largest trading partner—has reported strong economic figures, although ongoing trade tensions with the U.S. continue to create an uncertain outlook.