Here are the key changes to know about in the New Zealand equity market; NZX 50 rises +0.5% as a2 Milk, Summerset, Napier Port and Sanford gain while Briscoes, Oceania, Vital Healthcare and Serko fall

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 rose +0.5% today, with the broader market recording a positive session despite continued weakness over the shorter term. The benchmark remains down -2.1% over the past five trading days and -1.4% over the past month, indicating that today’s gain has not yet reversed the recent pullback. Over longer timeframes, however, the market remains in positive territory, with the NZX50 up +3.7% over six months and +3.4% over the past year.

THE MAIN GAINERS
a2 Milk (ATM, #8) led the group of 62 gainers in the equity market, rising +4% on the day. The dairy company has also gained +2% over the past five trading days and +3% over the past month, although its longer-term performance remains weaker. The stock is down -26% over six months and -17% over the past year. Summerset Group Holdings (SUM, #19) was the next strongest gainer, rising +2% and extending its recent positive momentum. The retirement village operator is up +1% over five days and +2% over one month, but remains down -20% over six months and -25% over the past year. Napier Port Holdings (NPH, #37) also advanced +2%, taking its five-day gain to +5%. The port operator has gained +6% over six months, although it remains down -20% over the past year. Sanford (SAN, #41) rounded out the top gainers with a +2% increase. Sanford is down -3% over five days and -5% over the past month, while its six-month performance remains negative at -10%. However, the seafood company is up +14% over the past year, making it the strongest longer-term performer among today’s four leading gainers. 

THE MAIN DECLINERS
Briscoe Group (BGP, #31) was the weakest performer among the 32 stocks down, falling -2% on the day. The retailer has also declined -3% over five days and -4% over the past month, while its longer-term performance remains under pressure, with the stock down -9% over six months and -20% over the past year. Oceania Healthcare (OCA, #44) also fell -2%, extending its recent weakness. The retirement village operator is down -5% over five days and -9% over the past month, although its longer-term performance is more mixed, with a -3% decline over six months but a +5% gain over the past year. Vital Healthcare (VHP, #22) declined -1% and is now down -4% over five days and -2% over the past month. The healthcare property investor remains down -5% over six months and -16% over the past year. Serko (SKO, #49) also fell -1%, extending a particularly weak recent and longer-term run. The travel technology company is down -9% over five days and -18% over one month, while its six-month and one-year declines stand at -31% and -51%, respectively, making it the weakest longer-term performer among today’s leading decliners. 

SMARTSHARES EFTs

KEY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Scales Corporation (SCL, #30) has acquired its joint venture partner’s remaining 50% stake in European petfood business Esro Petfood BV for nominal consideration, giving Scales full ownership of the business. The acquisition reinforces Scales’ commitment to medium-term growth opportunities in Europe, with the company planning to rebrand Esro Petfood to better support both supply and demand across the region. Senior Scales executives will remain in Europe to focus on improving the business’s operating performance while maintaining stability for customers, suppliers and employees. Scales will fully consolidate Esro Petfood’s results from September 2026. The company has confirmed that its full-year guidance issued on the 26th of August remains unchanged.

Turners Automotive Group (TRA, #38) has reported record participation in its employee share programme, with 72% of its wider team now holding shares in the company. In its fifth year, the 2026 Employee Share Scheme saw employees apply for 104,139 shares, with 77,978 new shares issued after using shares already held by the Share Scheme Trustees, representing 0.09% of issued capital. The scheme allows permanent full-time and part-time employees to invest $1,000 and receive $2,000 worth of shares after a three-year vesting period, with the company providing a three-year interest-free loan to encourage broad participation. Turners also issued 85,562 shares under its 2023 Long Term Incentive Programme to 23 leaders across the wider business, aimed at rewarding performance, loyalty and tenure while supporting the retention of key talent. CEO Todd Hunter said the high level of employee ownership, combined with strong team engagement, remains an important competitive advantage for the company.