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The Markets

Market absorbs Reserve Bank shock

Wednesday 5th of April 2023

The S&P/NZX 50 Index fell from 11,914.59 to a close of 11,866.83 points when the bank announced it was increasing the official cash rate (OCR) 50 basis points to 5.25% – a level last seen at the end of 2008 – because of persistent inflation. The market expected a 25 basis points rise.

The index was finally down 31.72 points or 0.27% after a rally in the last half-hour matching session. It had fallen more than half a percent in the afternoon.

There were 39 gainers and 79 decliners on the main board, with 28.65 million shares worth $98.13 changing hands.

The OCR has risen inexorably from 0.25% in March 2020 as the bank battled to tame inflation. It’s not over.

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