The New Zealand sharemarket had a lacklustre day, unperturbed by the action offshore that saw computer software giant Microsoft join the elite US$3 trillion (NZ$4.9t) club.

The New Zealand sharemarket staged a strong turnaround after the latest consumer price index said annual inflation fell below 5% for the first time in 27 months.

The New Zealand sharemarket rebounded 1%, fuelled by strong performances offshore, with Wall Street at the centre of the action in a bull run.

The New Zealand sharemarket started the week on a positive note, with a2 Milk surging nearly 6% after finding renewed favour from investors.

The New Zealand sharemarket chalked up its fifth down day in a row – with retail jeweller Michael Hill providing a warning of a drop in earnings because of challenging trading conditions.

The New Zealand sharemarket’s main index gave up more than a half percent – its fourth down day in a row – accompanied by another earnings warning, this time from Colonial Motor Company.

Global marketer a2 Milk increased nearly 4% due to a slowing birth rate in its crucial Chinese market as the New Zealand sharemarket finished flat for the second day running.

The New Zealand sharemarket, lacking some direction, staged a late recovery and finished flat on another quiet trading day.

The New Zealand sharemarket was still in holiday mode on Monday, starting the new week on lighter than normal trading and a fall of more than half a percent, as many offices began reopening.

Defensive yield stocks have provided the best return for investors in the New Zealand stock market over the past year, according to research from Forsyth Barr.

New Zealand shares lifted 0.9% over the course of the week after a quiet Friday that mirrored offshore moves.

Retirement village operator Summerset Group, gaining nearly 3%, led the way as the New Zealand sharemarket made a late turnaround.

The New Zealand sharemarket gave back more than half of the previous day’s gains as investors once again worried about the future path of interest rates and the slowing economy.

New Zealand shares joined a global rally, with record fourth-quarter sales at Summerset Group buoying fellow retirement village stocks.

New Zealand shares fell for a second day in quiet trading as the few investors returning this week pondered how quickly central banks will cut interest rates.

The New Zealand sharemarket ended its first abbreviated week of trading on a down note as the summer holidays kept trading thin.