NZ sharemarket ends up 0.6% after jobs data

Manawa Energy shares rose 27.63% today after its merger with Contact Energy was approved. (Image: NZME)

Wed, 07 May 2025

New Zealand share prices ended firm on the back of takeover activity and better-than-expected unemployment data.The S&P/NZX50 index ended 75.8 points or 0.6% higher at 12,496.89.There were 79 rises and 58 falls among the 44.2 million shares worth $144.1m traded.Takeover target Manawa gained $1.34 or 27.6% to close at $6.19 after the Commerce Commission approved its merger with Contact Energy, which fell 15c to $8.99.'Not too bad'Unemployment remained unchanged at 5.1% in the March quarter, a touch lower than market expectations.Howe...

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