Here are the key changes to know about in the New Zealand equity market today; Infratil, Chorus & Vulcan show tiny gains. Kathmandu & NZX lead the drops

Here are the key things you need to know about in the NZX markets over the past 24 hours. Changes are as at 3:00 pm and may change when the market closes at 4:45 pm.

WHAT THE NZX50 IS DOING
The NZX50 is down -0.8% to start the week. Over the last six-months the NZX50 has gained +8.6%, up +11.7% year-on-year.

THE MAIN GAINERS
With only 26 gainers for the first day of the week, there were only minor gains for companies inside the NZX50. Infratil (IFT, #4) led the way up +0.6%. IFT will look to continue their positive run up +13% for the month, up +19.6% over the year. Chorus (CNU, #11) and Vulcan Steel (VSL, #28) both gained +0.5%. CNU gains +18% year-on-year, and VSL declines 7%  year-on-year. Fisher and Paykel (FPH, #1) are up +0.2%, FPH has now gained +16.4% for the month, up a huge +77.4% over the last year, a huge accomplishment for the company who currently sits at the top spot of the NZX50. That success however is distorting the NZX50.

THE MAIN DECLINERS
There are currently 62 decliners on the mainboard today, Kathmandu Brands (KMD, #50) a frequent visitor as of recent have the biggest decline down -3.9%. KMD continue to fall, down -38% over the last year. The NZX (NZX, #43) has the next biggest decline down -3.7%, gaining +13% year-on-year. Meridian Energy (MEL, #2) declines -3.3% leaving the gentailer down -7.9% for the month. Over the year MEL has gained +14.7%. 

SMARTSHARES EFTs

KEY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Auckland Airport (AIA, #3) announced a $1.4 billion equity raise today to fund its ongoing capital investment program. The equity raise has an underwritten placement of $1.2 billion, and a non-underwritten retail offer where it hopes to raise up to $200 million. 

Further to the announcement of the equity raise, AIA signed with Hawkins Limited (subsidiary of Downer EDI) who will manage and operate the construction and delivery of the new 'Domestic Jet Terminal'. This new project will merge a domestic and international terminal under one roof. Chief Executive of AIA Carrie Hurihanganui said "As the primary border of Aotearoa New Zealand and gateway to its largest city, Auckland Airport is making a once-in-a-generation investment to be resilient and fit for the future." The company's project investment, along with other parts of the capital investment programme are set to:

• replace aging infrastructure built in the 1960's with modern, fit for purpose facilities that are more resilient and better able to cope with the expected growth in passenger demand;
• enable critical resiliency upgrades to the airfield and runway to take place by 2030; and improve connectivity between international and domestic jet services, reducing minimum connection times between flights.

Simon Herbert's Empire Capital will not progress in their signalled partial takeover of Vital. This morning Vital Chair, John McMahon announced that over the weekend Empire Technology confirmed in writing that it decided not to proceed in making a partial takeover offer for Vital. McMahon's announcement notes that the company now looks to focus into its 'turnaround strategy' focussed on optimising business and network assets, and improving the different aspects of the company. 

Ryman Healthcare (RYM, #14) has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer today, Naomi James, commencing on the 4th of November. Naomi James comes to RYM with an extensive career in the trans-Tasman commercial industry with her most recent role as CEO of NZX-listed company Channel Infrastructure (CHI, #37). James has held senior roles in ASX-listed companies Santos and Arrium. She was also a non-executive Board member of Central Adelaide Health which operates two major public hospitals.

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