The New Zealand sharemarket, trading flat, was overshadowed by uncertainty over the escalating conflict in the Middle East and the size of next week’s interest rate cut here.

A more positive New Zealand sharemarket posted a healthy gain as two surveys showed business confidence is returning on the prospect of another interest rate cut next week.

The New Zealand sharemarket was hampered by end-of-quarter portfolio rebalancing in late heavy trading, while Hallenstein Glasson reported a solid annual result.

Global marketer a2 Milk brought end-of-week excitement to the New Zealand sharemarket, rising more than 10% and then going into a trading halt as it finalises a potential acquisition.

The New Zealand sharemarket surged more than 2% with renewed buying in blue-chip stocks on a day retailing icon The Warehouse reported one of its most challenging annual results.

Dairy co-operative giant Fonterra gave the New Zealand sharemarket, and the economy, some heart with a strong annual financial result that included an increased dividend.

The New Zealand sharemarket slipped to a six-week low as investors sold blue-chip stocks Fisher and Paykel Healthcare and Ebos to help fund Fletcher Building’s big capital raise.

Fletcher Building’s eighth capital raising in two decades – this one for $700 million – weighed heavily on the New Zealand sharemarket, which fell more than 0.5%.

The New Zealand sharemarket declined nearly 1.5% as stock prices bounced wildly on index rebalancing despite a sharp rebound on Wall Street.

The trans-Tasman sharemarkets fared better than their American counterparts following the Federal Reserve's cut in “the jumbo interest rate”.

Synlait Milk can look forward to a brighter future, Spark hit a nine-year low and the New Zealand sharemarket posted its third successive fall.

The New Zealand sharemarket bided its time with a small fall as it waited for key economic events that will dictate the course of interest rate cuts.

Investors scrambled to raise money and participate in Auckland International Airport’s massive $1.4 billion capital raise which weighed on the New Zealand sharemarket.

The New Zealand sharemarket took an end-of-the-week breather after a strong start to the month, with leading blue-chip stocks coming off the boil.

The New Zealand sharemarket rebounded 1.5% to a 32-month high, led by the increasingly influential Fisher and Paykel Healthcare – with some corporate action in minnow stocks.

Energy generator Manawa surged more than 30% on the New Zealand sharemarket after receiving a takeover proposal from Contact valued at $1.86 billion and supported by major shareholders.