(Bloomberg) -- New Zealand shares slipped in to a bear market after its central bank slashed the benchmark interest rate to support the economy and tourism-related shares were impacted by stricter border controls.
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The S&P/NZX 50 Gross index fell 3.6% to 9,476.941 as of 5 p.m. in Wellington, as the central bank cut interest rates 75 basis points to 0.25% to support the domestic economy. The benchmark index is down 22% from the Feb. 21 record.
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Tourism Holdings Ltd. led the declines after abandoning its profit guidance on Friday amid rising concerns about the spread of the coronavirus. Auckland International Airport Ltd. slumped 18% after scrapping its earnings target due to the border restrictions.
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