NZX50 sinks as Gentrack tumbles on earnings downgrade; Mainfreight stumbles

RBA hikes cash rate for a third time.

New Zealand’s S&P/NZX 50 index snapped a four-day rally as Gentrack shed a third of its value after the software company cut its earnings outlook and said it plans to buy back shares on market, which are trading near three-year lows.

Mainfreight was among the bigger drags on the NZX50 as oil prices shot up amid the heightened tensions between the US and Iran and as Amazon unveiled a new ...MORE»

Stobo resigns FMA chair after investigation Monday, May 4th, 3:44PM  4 comments Craig Stobo has resigned as Financial Markets Authority chairman following an investigation into his overseas travel and public comments. MORE»

Sharesies opens advice offering to New Zealand investors Friday, May 1st, 6:43PM Investment platform Sharesies has 20,000 people signed up to its advice offering, which is now available to the full New Zealand market. MORE»

What the FAP landscape looks like now

New Zealand had 10 percent more financial advice providers (FAPs) in 2025 than it did in 2024, new Financial Markets Authority (FMA) data shows, and about 20,000 advisers and nominated representatives offering advice.

The FMA has released its second annual report analysing the regulatory returns FAPs are required to submit.

It said it provided insight into the trends and themes of the sector, and where regulatory focus might be needed.

There were 1553 filings from FAPs in 2025, up 10 percent from the last report, in 2024.

That covered 9198 financial advisers and 11,019 nominated representatives as well as 1018 ...MORE»

SaaSacre – Generational buying opportunity or Great Value Destroyer? Wednesday, April 29th, 4:28PM Octagon Asset Management Equity Analyst James Cameron asks whether AI will kill SaaS companies or will some prosper? MORE»

ANZ's growth and balanced KiwiSaver returns take first place Wednesday, April 29th, 8:47AM Every dog has its day, they say, and ANZ’s growth and balanced KiwiSaver options were the best performers in their categories in a March quarter that delivered negative returns across the board. MORE»

News Bites

FMA to tackle Finfluencers

The Financial Markets Authority has joined regulators across the globe in a co-ordinated Global Week of Action Against Unlawful Finfluencers to tackle the risks involved with unlawful financial promotions by online influencers. MORE»

GoodReturns TV

Fisher Funds moves to woo advisers back

After years of neglecting the adviser market, the investment manager is going on the charm offensive.   MORE»

SaaSacre – Generational buying opportunity or Great Value Destroyer?

Octagon Asset Management Equity Analyst James Cameron asks whether AI will kill SaaS companies or will some prosper? MORE»

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When a night is not a night

[OPINION] A short while ago, I wrote about an insurer’s disability product policy wording requiring that the insurer be notified if the life insured’s occupation changes.  Something not mandatory with other mainstream providers as far as I can tell. MORE»

TMM Online

Westpac accelerates home lending and adviser-originated loans

Westpac New Zealand accelerated its home loan lending in the six months ended March, adding $2.1 billion in new lending. MORE»

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Avanti to grow its funds management business

Avanti Finance appoints GM of Avanti Capital to support strategic growth MORE»

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KiwiSaver value for money not set and forget

Financial advisers need to remember that value-for-money is an ongoing expectation in KiwiSaver, one financial advice technology specialist says, not something that can be dealt with once and ticked off. MORE»