Here are the key changes to know about in the New Zealand equity market; NZX50 eases mid-week; SkyCity casino, Kiwi Property, Freightways and Mainfreight climb while Vista Group, a2 Milk, Skellerup and Spark decline

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 looks like it will decline -0.1% extending its five-day decline to -1.0%. Despite the softer session, the benchmark index remains up +2.1% over the past month and +7.5% over the past year, although it has edged -0.2% lower over the past six months.

THE MAIN GAINERS
There were 38 gainers across the market, led by SkyCity Entertainment (SKC, #41), which climbed +3% for the session despite remaining -4% over the past week, while holding gains of +7% over the past month. The casino operator is still down -46% over six months and -42% over the past year. Kiwi Property Group (KPG, #21) added +2%, extending its weekly gain to +2% and lifting its monthly performance to +3%, although it remains -9% lower over six months and -2% lower year-on-year. Freightways (FRW, #17) also gained +2%, building on a +5% monthly return and a strong +26% gain over the past 12 months. Mainfreight (MFT, #8) rose +1%, improving to a +2% weekly gain despite remaining -5% over the past month, -8% over six months and -5% over the past year.

THE MAIN DECLINERS
Decliners matched advancers at 38 stocks. Vista Group (VGL, #43) led the falls, dropping -3% despite remaining +5% higher over the past month and +7% over six months, although the stock is still down -35% over the past year. a2 Milk (ATM, #7) fell -2%, trimming its monthly gain to +14%, while remaining -24% over six months but +5% higher than a year ago. Skellerup (SKL, #28) eased -1% after its recent rally, though it remains up +5% over the past week, +5% over the month, +30% over six months and +40% year-on-year. Spark (SPK, #14) also slipped -1%, leaving it up +1% over the past week but down -3% over the month, -20% over six months and -28% over the past year.

SMARTSHARES EFTs

KEY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Channel Infrastructure (CHI, #24) reported second-quarter fuel throughput of 802 million liters, down -2% from the same period last year, reflecting elevated fuel prices linked to the Middle East conflict and temporary impacts from a critical Marsden Point to Auckland pipeline upgrade. Despite this, year-to-date fuel volumes remain in line with expectations. During the quarter, the company completed its 93 million-liter Government diesel storage project, while Z Energy's new jet fuel storage facility was delivered six months ahead of schedule and is expected to generate an additional $5.5 million in annual revenue. Channel said its conversion program remains on budget at approximately $193 mln, with the bitumen import terminal on track for completion in late Q4 2026.

Auckland International Airport (AIA, #4) reported 722,000 international passenger movements in June, down -4% from a year earlier as reduced airline capacity continued to weigh on travel demand. International seat capacity fell -2%, while domestic passenger movements declined -5% amid lower capacity. Middle East routes remained significantly affected by ongoing disruptions, with passenger numbers down -62% year-on-year. Meanwhile, Queenstown Airport recorded a +19% increase in international passenger numbers, although domestic traffic slipped -1%.

Vital Healthcare Property (VHP, #22) has advised it expects to release its financial results for the year ended 30 June before the market opens on Thursday, the 13th of August.

Click on the chart title to find more about this sector, including its components.