Defensive stocks provide stability for NZX amid tariff turmoil

Craigs Investment Partners senior research analyst Mohandeep Singh said there was a “two-speed” reaction in the market to US President Donald Trump's tariffs. (Image: Getty)

Staff reporters

Thu, 10 Apr 2025

Don’t mention it too loudly, but NZ has so far escaped from US President Donald Trump’s tariff regime relatively unscathed. The NZX has had a rough few days, however, market watchers say the defensive nature of many of our largest listed firms combined with the comparatively low tariff at 10% gives NZ breathing room. The NZ dollar is also being pushed lower, which will ameliorate some of the tariff effects for exporters. However, early Thursday morning, US President Donald Trump authorised a 90-day pause on reciprocal...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

On the Money

On the Money: Du Val, Kathmandu, Fonterra, and more

A Du Val comedy, dairy politics, and a copied signature.

Dileepa Fonseka 5:00am

Technology Review

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Slimmer and sharper

When I first got Samsung’s original Galaxy Z Fold, it felt like a momentous occasion.

Peter Griffin 5:00am

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Slimmer and sharper

Opinion

Simon Robertson: On asset allocation

Why I only own US stocks.

Simon Robertson 5:00am

Sponsored

Why New Zealand organisations need to rethink their cloud strategy

New Zealand organisations have embraced cloud computing over the past decade, but many are now confronting a sobering reality: adoption alone isn’t enough. According to Datacom’s 2025 Cloud & Infrastructure Report, only half of New Zealand businesses say they’ve realised the benefits they expected from cloud – despite significant investment.

Datacom

Sponsored