The NZX 50 advanced 60 points, or 0.5%, to close at 13,162 on Friday, recouping losses from the previous two sessions and rebounding from its lowest level since May 26, reached a day earlier. The recovery was driven mainly by strength in financial, healthcare, and industrial stocks.
Sentiment improved on hopes that US–Iran peace talks could help bring the war to an end, following the Iran–Lebanon ceasefire. Gains were partly offset, however, by weakness in the materials, technology, and consumer staples sectors.
Investors also remained cautious ahead of key macroeconomic releases, including US nonfarm payrolls due later in the day, as well as US inflation data and China’s upcoming inflation and trade balance figures scheduled for next week. Domestically, market participants looked ahead to the release of New Zealand economic data, also due next week.
Notable gainers included Ebos Group (up 3.1%), Infratil (1.5%), Mainfreight (1.1%), Fisher & Paykel Healthcare (0.9%), and Auckland International Airport (0.9%). Despite Friday’s rebound, the index declined 0.6% for the week, its first weekly loss in three weeks.
