Spark New Zealand jumps on 91.9% H2 2026 net profit rise
Spark New Zealand, New Zealand's largest telecommunications company, rises 5.0% after reporting a 91.9% jump in net profit for H2 2026, helping lift communication services and the NZX 50.
New Zealand stocks rose 58 points, or 0.4%, to 13,987 in Thursday morning trading, up for the third consecutive session and marking their highest level since August 5, when the index reached a record high, mainly supported by gains in communication services, energy, and real estate.
Optimism over earnings results continued to fuel sentiment while traders braced for further releases from some companies later today.
Communication services surged 2.3% after Spark New Zealand, New Zealand's largest telecommunications company, surged 5.0%, following a 91.9% jump in net profit for H2 2026.
Meanwhile, Wall Street mostly closed in the green overnight due to easing Treasury yields, which offset weakness in tech stocks and also lifted sentiment.
Other early gainers were Channel Infrastructure (1.5%) and Skellerup Holdings (0.7%).
EBOS Group continued to gain (0.8%) after posting a 4.7% rise in net profit for the full year ended June 30, 2026.