2026.01.1505:02:04UTC+00New Zealand Stocks Retreat from Record Highs

New Zealand’s S&P/NZX 50 index dropped by 0.7%, closing at 13,660 on Thursday, as it retreated from recent record highs. This decline was led by a downturn across various sectors, including industrials, healthcare, technology, and utilities. Market sentiment was influenced by mixed signals from global markets, characterized by underperformance in the tech sector and a pullback in commodities. Investors are now focused on forthcoming economic data, with food inflation figures and the business PMI set for release early Friday, followed by Q4 inflation data next week. Key stocks that contributed to this downturn included Fisher & Paykel, which fell by 1.3%; Auckland International Airport, down 0.8%; Infratil, which saw a 2.8% decrease; EBOS Group, down by 0.6%; Ryman Healthcare, falling 1.3%; Meridian Energy, decreasing by 1.2%; Mainfreight, down 0.8%; and Vista Group, which dropped by 4.7%. On the international scene, a report from Davos highlighted escalating global tensions among major powers as the most significant short-term threat for 2026, specifically pointing out the risks for exporters involved in US-China trade.