Here are the key changes to know about in the New Zealand equity market; NZX 50 rises +0.6% as Infratil, Briscoes, Vector and F&P Healthcare gain while Goodman, Vista Group, Precinct and Stride retreat

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 NZX 50 INDEX IS DOING
The NZX 50 Index rose +0.6% today, providing some relief after some recent weakness, the index remains down -1.9% over both the past five trading days and -1.1% the past month. Over the longer term, the index remains in the positive, gaining +3.1% over six months and +2.5% over the past year. There were 41 gainers and 31 decliners. 

THE MAIN GAINERS
Infratil (IFT, #2) was the strongest performer among the leading gainers, rising +4%. The company remains down -4% over five days and -6% over one month, but has delivered strong longer-term returns, gaining +30% over six months and +14% over the past year. Briscoe Group (BGP, #31) rose +3%, taking its five-day performance to +1%, although the retailer remains down -3% over one month, -8% over six months and -12% over one year. Vector (VCT, #10) gained +2%, despite remaining down -4% over five days and -8% over the past month. The utility company is also down -3% over six months and -3% over the past year. F&P Healthcare (FPH, #1) increased +2%, extending its recent positive momentum, with the stock up +1% over five days and +4% over one month. Its longer-term performance remains strong, with gains of +15% over six months and +17% over the past year. 

THE MAIN DECLINERS
Goodman Property Trust (GNZ, #16) was among the leading decliners, falling -1% on the day and extending its five-day decline to -3% and one-month decline to -5%. The stock remains marginally positive over longer periods, up +1% over both six months and one year. Vista Group (VGL, #40) also fell -1%, although its recent performance remains positive over some timeframes. The stock is up +2% over five days and +1% over one month, while its six-month gain stands at a substantial +49%. However, it remains down -12% over the past year. Precinct Properties (PCT, #20) declined -1%, taking its five-day decline to -2% and one-month decline to -8%. The property company remains down -15% over six months and -26% over the past year. Stride Property Group (SPG, #43) also fell -1%, extending its recent weakness to -1% over five days and -6% over one month. The stock is down -9% over six months and -20% over the past year. 

SMARTSHARES EFTs

KEY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Infratil (IFT, #2) has increased its FY27 proportionate EBITDAF guidance to NZ$1,320-1,420 mln from NZ$1,300-1,400 mln, following an upgrade from CDC Data Centres, which raised its FY27 EBITDAF guidance to A$710-750 mln from A$680-720 mln. CDC has signed a further 70MW of contracts for delivery across late FY27 and early FY28, taking its contracted capacity to 1.1GW and deployed capacity to 350MW, with the contracted portfolio expected to generate A$2.2 bln of EBITDAF when fully deployed. Infratil said global data centre and artificial intelligence demand has driven growth across its portfolio, with data centre investments now representing just over half of its NZ$22 bln total asset value. Longroad Energy is also accelerating growth in the US through the acquisition of a 2.8GW project, targeting development of around 2.5GW annually between 2027 and 2029 and a total fleet of 14GW, while exploring data centre co-location opportunities across a potential 10GW pipeline of sites. One New Zealand remains a reliable cash flow contributor, with growth in consumer mobile revenue share and progress on its IT modernisation programme, while its proposed radio access network infrastructure sharing arrangement with 2degrees is intended to improve mobile infrastructure efficiency subject to regulatory approval. Infratil said its balance sheet remains capable of supporting further growth, supported by its BBB+ credit rating and ongoing portfolio refinement, including a sales process for its Qscan radiology business.

Briscoe Group (BGP, #31) reported record first-half sales of $374.2 mln for the 26 weeks to July 26, up +0.79% year-on-year, supported by +2.56% growth in sporting goods and +2.07% growth in online sales, which accounted for 19.60% of Group sales. NPAT declined to $27.6 mln from $29.3 mln, while gross profit fell slightly to $152.9 mln and gross margin declined 58 basis points to 40.85%, although the rate of margin decline continued to moderate. The result included $1.9 mln of additional operating costs from the new North Island distribution centre and $0.9 mln of one-off SAP S/4HANA upgrade costs. The new distribution centre is now operational, with throughput exceeding the previous facility, while Club Rebel was relaunched during the period and major store development and property optimisation initiatives progressed. Briscoe Group declared an interim dividend of 10.0 cents per share and said it enters the second half with positive sales momentum, an improving gross margin trend and several strategic investments moving into execution, although household discretionary spending remains sensitive to cost pressures.

Seeka (SEK) has increased its full-year profit before tax guidance to $41.0-45.0 mln from its previous range of $39.0-43.0 mln, following strong trading through the third quarter. The upgrade reflects continued focus on operating margins, the incorporation of New Zealand kiwifruit returns from Zespri, and growth in Seeka’s produce business, particularly citrus. The company has also delivered further operating savings through its captive insurance programme.