New Zealand's stock benchmark hits 6-month high after central bank cuts rates

Auckland International Airport

20/08/2025 03:58

** New Zealand's benchmark index S&P/NZX 50 .NZ50 rises 1.2% to 13,082.68, its highest level since February 19

** The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) cuts its official cash rate by 25 basis points to a three-year low of 3%

** Shares of some of NZ's biggest companies gain, including Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp FPH.NZ, which is up as much as 3.3% to NZ$38.17 - highest since January 31

** Contact Energy CEN.NZ up 2.3%, while Auckland International Airport AIA.NZ is up 1.8%

** YTD, however, NZ50 is down 0.1%

 (Reporting by Nichiket Sunil in Bengaluru)

 ((Nichiket.Sunil@thomsonreuters.com))