News

The New Zealand market (NZX 50 Index, -0.9%) fell on Wednesday after the Reserve Bank of New Zealand decided on a 75-basis-points rate hike (touting the possibility of a 100-point hike) taking the Official Cash Rate (OCR) to 4.25%. Further, the Reserve Bank now expects the OCR to peak at 5.5%, much higher than the 4.1% peak they had signalled 3 months ago.  

The New Zealand market (NZX 50 Index, -0.2%) fell slightly on Tuesday, with Ryman Healthcare (-7.1%) dragging the index lower. As noted in an earlier report, The company is experiencing cashflow issues arising from a less liquid housing market meant net debt rose +$400m over the half to $3 billion.

The New Zealand market (NZX 50 Index, +0.5%) advanced on Monday, with Financials (+2.6%) far outperforming other sectors. The catalyst for the sectors performance is of course the Reserve Bank of New Zealand delivering another interest rate hike this Wednesday at 2.00pm. Markets are expecting a 75-basis-points hike, taking the Official Cash Rate to 4.25%, although a 50-basis-points hike is entirely possible. 

The New Zealand market (NZX 50 Index, +0.8%) rose on Friday on the back of gains by Energy generators, including Mercury (+4.1%), Contact (+3.1%), and Meridian (+2.2%). 

US markets (S&P 500 Index -0.6%) fell overnight as interest rate induced recession fears grip the market causing almost all sectors to fall.   Investors digest comments from Fed officials “the policy rate is not yet in a zone that may be considered sufficiently restrictive” – reiterating a much more hawkish stance to fight against inflation. He told reporters after a speech that in the past he had said the Fed Funds rate needed to get to 4.75-5% but he now thought 5-5.25% was needed and “that’s a minimum level”.

The New Zealand market (NZX 50 Index, 0.1%) was a touch lower on Wednesday as investors brace for more corporate earnings.  Pacific Edge was up +3.1% with investors eagerly wait for their result next week but more importantly, provide light on whether Medicare provider Novitas will continue using Pacific Edge’s Cxbladder tests.

The New Zealand market (NZX 50 Index, +0.1%) ended flat on Tuesday, while Communication Services (-0.6%) and Real Estate (0.4%) took a hit, with Kiwi Property Group (-2.8%) and Investore Property (-1.3%) leading losses for the latter. 

The New Zealand market (NZX 50 Index, -0.7%) fell on Monday with investors concerned about the direction US and European equities will take this week.  Heavyweights Fisher and Paykel Healthcare (-2.6%) and Mainfreight (-1.2%) led the market down, with the former, as well as Pacific Edge (-3.2%) contributing to Heathcare stocks (-1.4%) declining the most on the day.

Find below a link to our “Guide to Markets” summary for Q3 earnings, focusing on US equities. It’s a “one stop” sheet with our recommendations for the US equities we currently cover, alongside our commentary on each company and the quarter overall in markets.