Latest News
All the latest NZ & Australian financial news
Business & Markets (ASX)
AUWiseTech Global Shares Decline Amid Geopolitical Tension and Market Volatility
WiseTech Global shares closed down 4.63% at A$42.27 on May 10, 2026, amid geopolitical tensions and market volatility. Despite a 40% year-to-date decline, the company has reaffirmed its FY26 revenue guidance of up to US$1.44 billion.
Business & Markets (NZX)
NZPacific Edge Halts Trading to Launch NZ$24 Million Capital Raise for Medicare Recovery
Pacific Edge Limited has initiated a trading halt to conduct a NZ$24 million capital raise aimed at regaining US Medicare coverage. The company reported a significant revenue drop to NZ$11.5 million in FY26 following the loss of reimbursement for its Cxbladder tests.
Banking & Finance
AUAustralia Integrates Digital Asset Platforms into Financial Services Licensing Framework
The Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Act 2026 has received Royal Assent, bringing digital asset platforms under Australia's AFSL regime. Existing operators face a June 30, 2026 deadline to apply for licensing as the industry moves toward a formal commencement in April 2027.
Business & Markets (ASX)
AUColes Group Records $10.7 Billion in Third Quarter Sales Amid Rising Operational Costs
Coles Group reported a 3.1% increase in total sales to $10.7 billion for the third quarter of 2026, supported by a 24.8% jump in eCommerce revenue and 4.0% growth in supermarkets.
Housing & Property
AUAustralian First Home Guarantee Scheme Under Scrutiny for Driving Entry-Level Price Inflation
New data reveals Australia's First Home Guarantee scheme is driving a 6.7% price surge in eligible properties, significantly outperforming the broader market and increasing household debt.
Economy
NZNew Zealand Returns to Trade Surplus in March as Exports Hit Record High
New Zealand achieved a merchandise trade surplus of NZD 0.70 billion in March 2026, a significant turnaround from the previous year's deficit. Record exports of NZD 7.9 billion were driven by strong demand for precious metals and fruit.
Housing & Property
NZNew Zealand House Prices Projected to Decline as Interest Rates Rise
New Zealand's property market is bracing for a 2% price decline in 2026, reversing earlier growth forecasts. Rising mortgage rates and record-high inventory levels are driving the shift toward a buyer's market.
Government & Policy
NZNew Zealand Government Confirms Abolition of Final-Year Fee-Free University Scheme
The New Zealand government has confirmed it will abolish the final-year fee-free university scheme, effective after the 2026 cohort, citing high costs and low impact on equity.
Government & Policy
NZNew Zealand Government Increases Rates Rebate Scheme to Support Low-Income Homeowners
The New Zealand Government will increase the maximum Rates Rebate to $830 and raise income thresholds starting July 1, 2026, to assist low-income homeowners with rising living costs.
Business & Markets (ASX)
AUASX 200 Plunges on Global Hostilities and Inflation Fears, Wiping $50 Billion
The S&P/ASX 200 Index dropped 1.51% on Friday, wiping $50 billion in value as US-Iran hostilities pushed Brent crude oil above $100 a barrel. Major banks and energy stocks fell sharply amid renewed global inflation fears and concerns over future RBA interest rate hikes.
Business & Markets (NZX)
NZNZX 50 Ends Week Lower Amid Geopolitical Tensions
The NZX 50 index closed at 13,175 points on Friday, May 8, 2026, marking a daily decline of 0.72%. Despite the fall, the market secured a 1.7% weekly gain and remains up 4.52% over the past year.
Business & Markets (ASX)
AUMacquarie Group Reports Strong FY26 Profit Growth, Outpacing Market
Macquarie Group has delivered a record-breaking A$4.85 billion net profit for FY26, a 30% increase driven by a surge in its commodities and global markets division. Shareholders will receive a total dividend of A$7.00 per share following a record second-half performance.
Housing & Property
NZSouthland Property Prices Reach Record High Amid Tightening Housing Stock
Southland property prices hit a record average of $617,879 in April 2026, marking a 17.9% annual increase as housing stock fell by 21.3%.
Banking & Finance
AUWestpac Reports Solid Half-Year Profit and Maintains Dividend Amid Economic Headwinds
Westpac has announced a statutory net profit of A$3.4 billion for the half-year ended 31 March 2026. The bank maintained its interim dividend at A$0.77 per share despite signs of slowing mortgage growth in April.
Economy
NZOECD Urges Energy Reforms to Address Structurally High Electricity Prices
The OECD has identified structurally high electricity prices as a major barrier to New Zealand's economic growth, calling for urgent reforms to the energy market and firming capacity.
Business & Markets (NZX)
NZNZX 50 Sees Strong Gains Led by Gentrack and Infratil on Thursday
The NZX 50 index climbed 0.9% to 13271 points on Thursday, led by an 11% surge in Gentrack and a 3% gain for Infratil. While technology and infrastructure stocks thrived on AI optimism, consumer-facing companies like SkyCity and Tourism Holdings saw declines.
Business & Markets (ASX)
AUASX 200 Rallies as Global Peace Hopes Ease Oil Prices While Tabcorp Faces AUSTRAC Probe
The ASX 200 rose by up to 1% on Thursday as oil prices fell sharply on hopes of a US-Iran peace deal. However, Tabcorp shares crashed 25% following the announcement of a new AUSTRAC enforcement investigation.
Government & Policy
AUAlbanese Government Unveils A$10.7 Billion National Security and Tax Relief Package
The Albanese government will announce a A$10.7 billion fuel and fertiliser security package in the May 12 Budget, featuring a 1 billion litre fuel reserve and a A$5 billion tax relief scheme for businesses.
Business & Markets (NZX)
bothCDC Data Centres secures record 555-megawatt contract in Australia
CDC Data Centres has secured a landmark 555-megawatt contract in Australia, the largest in the nation's history. The 30-year agreement with a high-end US customer is expected to drive annualised EBITDAF to A$2 billion.
Banking & Finance
AURBA Increases Cash Rate to 4.35 Per Cent as Inflation Hits 4.6 Per Cent
The Reserve Bank of Australia has raised the official cash rate to 4.35 per cent to combat 4.6 per cent inflation. Major banks including CBA, NAB, ANZ, and Westpac will pass on the full 0.25 per cent increase to mortgage holders.