FX.co ★ New Zealand Shares Trade at 6-Week High

New Zealand's stock market experienced an uptick of 26 points, or 0.2%, reaching 12,760 in early Wednesday trading. This upward trend marks the fifth consecutive session of gains, bringing the index to a six-week high. The increase was propelled by notable performances in the sectors of non-energy minerals, consumer non-durables, and financials, inspired by positive cues from Wall Street. In the U.S., the Dow Jones saw an ascent as investors shifted their focus away from technology stocks at the commencement of the second half of 2025. Additionally, the market was buoyed by unexpected growth in China’s manufacturing, underscoring the resilience of New Zealand's primary trading partner, even as Beijing continues its economic initiatives to counteract deflation concerns and trade challenges. However, further advancements in the stock market were tempered by renewed trade threats from U.S. President Trump, who indicated the possibility of enforcing his July 9 deadline for the announcement of new tariffs. Notable gainers included AFT Pharma, climbing 2.1%; Infratil Ltd. up by 1.4%; Spark NZ Ltd. advancing 0.9%; and Restaurant Brands NZ, which rose by 0.7%. On the downside, Winton Land and Skellerup Holdings experienced declines of 2.4% and 2.2%, respectively.