Here are the key changes to know about in the New Zealand equity market; A2 Milk, Heartland, Fletcher and Oceania lift NZX50 to strong weekly finish; Gentrack, Hallensteins, Kathmandu and AirNZ ease

Here are the key things you need to know about in the NZX markets over the past 24 hours. Changes are as at 3:00 pm and may change when the market closes at 4:45 pm.

WHAT THE NZX 50 INDEX IS DOING
The NZX50 is currently looking at trading with renewed momentum, climbing +1.3% today extending its five-day gain to +1.6%. The index has now advanced +2.0% over the past month, narrowing its six-month decline to just -0.3%, while strengthening its annual return to +5.7%.

THE MAIN GAINERS
A total of 41 stocks closed higher, led by A2 Milk (ATM, #10), which surged +8% to cap a strong week, lifting its five-day gain to +11%. While the stock remains down -8% over one month and -30% over six months, the sharp rebound helped reduce its annual decline to -19%. Heartland Group Holdings (HGH, #25) gained +3%, adding to an +11% one-month advance and +10% six-month gain, with the company now up an impressive +50% over the past year. Fletcher Building (FBU, #14) also rose +3%, extending gains to +5% over five days and +10% over one month, although the stock remains down -13% over six months and -3% year-on-year. Oceania Healthcare (OCA, #42) matched the move with a +3% gain, helping push its one-month return to +1% and annual performance to +16%, despite remaining down -23% over six months.

THE MAIN DECLINERS
There were 33 decliners on the day, with Gentrack (GTK, #45) again among the weakest performers, falling -3% and extending losses to -7% over five days and -10% over one month. The software company remains down -59% over six months and -68% over the past year. Hallenstein Glassons (HLG, #40) slipped -1%, though it remains up +2% over five days and +24% over the past year, while sitting down -4% over one month and -2% over six months. Kathmandu Holdings (KMD, #50) eased -1% after a strong recent run, retaining gains of +8% over five days and +35% over one month, although the stock remains down -49% over six months and -57% over the past year. Air New Zealand (AIR, #23) also fell -1%, leaving it down -3% over five days, -6% over one month and -30% over six months, with its annual decline widening to -31%.

SMARTSHARES EFTs

KEY ANNOUNCEMENTS
ANZ Bank New Zealand has announced that Chief Executive Officer Antonia Watson will retire at the end of FY26 after 17 years with the bank, including seven years as CEO. Watson will step down on the 30th of September and will be succeeded by current Chief Risk Officer Ben Kelleher, subject to regulatory approvals and Reserve Bank of New Zealand non-objection. Kelleher brings extensive experience across ANZ NZ’s personal banking, private banking, strategy and risk divisions, having held senior leadership roles within the organisation for more than seven years.

WasteCo Group (WCO) has secured a new NZ$10 mln funding facility with Pacific Invoice Finance, providing an additional source of working capital to support liquidity management and future growth initiatives. The facility complements the company's existing banking arrangements and forms part of WasteCo’s broader strategy to strengthen its balance sheet and improve financial flexibility. Chairman Roger Gower said the agreement enhances WasteCo’s financial platform, supports operational improvement programmes and reflects continued confidence in the business as it pursues long-term sustainable growth.

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