The retail share trading boom is fading

Many New Zealanders took up managing their own investment portfolios during lockdowns in 2020 and 2021. (Photo: Jason Briscoe on Unsplash)

Dan Brunskill

Mon, 13 Feb 2023

Retail investors are falling out of love with the share market as investment returns sour and living costs skyrocket. The pandemic brought with it a sudden surge in the popularity of share market trading. Markets were booming and New Zealanders stuck at home wanted to get in on the action. Many old timers described the phenomenon in 2020 as being similar to what the country experienced during the 1980s. Most readers will remember how that ended. The crash hasn’t been anything like as bloody this time around, but many amateu...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

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

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.

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: Bishop's netball foray, Halbergs, and more

We break down a netball exhibition match and explore a Trans-Tasman rumour about NZME.

Dileepa Fonseka 5:00am

Politics

Inside Trump’s million-dollar dinners with health chiefs

Meals during the presidential transition were a lucrative moneymaking venture.

The Wall Street Journal 5:00am

Inside Trump’s million-dollar dinners with health chiefs

Opinion

Simon Robertson: When investing, don't argue with fools

Unskilled individuals lack the expertise to recognise their own lack of skill.

Simon Robertson 5:00am

Sponsored

A taste of NZ luxury at 40,000ft

Singapore Airlines upgrades in-flight dining with Sid Sahrawat.

Singapore Airlines

Sponsored

Study NZ’s top MBA – on your terms

A world-class master's that fits around work and family life.

University of Aukland Business School

More Markets

Markets Market Close

Spark share collapse leads NZ sharemarket down

The S&P/NZX 50 Index closed down 0.99% or 127.78 points.

Tom Raynel 21 Feb 2025

Markets

Spark valuation plummets $1 billion as profit crashes

Spark has reported a 78% fall in net profit to $35 million in the first half of its 2025 financial year and reduced its full-year operating earnings guidance. However, it has maintained its revised full-year dividend guidance.Shares – already down 42% over the past year after two...

Staff reporters 21 Feb 2025

Markets

Genesis weathers a tough winter

Genesis took a $59m gas hit, but still made $70m profit.

Ian Llewellyn 21 Feb 2025

Markets

Sky TV takes a financial hit

Sky Network Television reported a net loss after tax of $1.7 million in what it has been described as a “challenging” and “difficult” six months, with the broadcaster's attention focused on moving its customers to a new satellite because of the ailing Optus D2 satellite.The p...

Staff reporters 21 Feb 2025

The retail share trading boom is fading

More Markets

Your company has a subscription

Team