Australia's S&P/ASX 200 Index opened weaker at midday in New Zealand, dragging down the Kiwi benchmark, which had been in positive territory in early trading. The ASX 200 was down 1.4 per cent at 5pm in Wellington.
"The deepening Covid-19 issues in Victoria are having some flow on effect locally," said Sam Trethewey, a portfolio manager at Milford Asset Management.
The recognition that new outbreaks of Covid-19 could lead to future lockdowns was prompting a "rotation into safety" as investors sold stocks exposed to the Australian market in favour of local utilities.
"Selling is concentrated in stocks like Kathmandu and Fletcher Building that are more exposed to these economies," he said. "On the flip side, you've got a lot of defensive companies, like Spark and the gen-tailers, holding up very well today."
Vista Group International led the local market lower, falling 4.8 per cent to $1.40. The cinema software provider's customers include the Hoyt's brand which operates 12 theatres in the state of Victoria.
Kathmandu Holdings dropped 4 per cent to $1.19. The outdoor equipment retailer also counts Australia as a key market. Last year, the group acquired surf-wear brand Rip Curl, which was founded in Victoria.
SkyCity Entertainment Group — which operates a casino in Adelaide, South Australia — fell 3.5 per cent to $2.51. The group today completed a $50m capital raising via share purchase plan at $2.38 per share. The underwritten offer attracted a 91 per cent take-up rate, with the $4.4m balance allocated to existing shareholders who acted as sub-underwriters.
Air New Zealand slipped 3.9 per cent to $1.365, Fletcher Building declined 2.8 per cent to $3.46 and Restaurant Brands New Zealand fell 2.8 per cent to $11.81.
The dual-listed lenders were weaker. Westpac Banking Corp fell 4 per cent to $18.89 and Australia & New Zealand Banking Group declined 3.6 per cent to $19.53.
Energy utility stocks were mostly stronger as investors exited companies exposed to Australia in favour of firms offering reliable dividends.
Genesis Energy rose 2.9 per cent to $3.15, Meridian Energy advanced 2.1 per cent to $5.26, Mercury NZ increased 1.3 per cent at $4.85 and Vector increased 1.1 per cent to $3.75.
Telecommunications provider Spark New Zealand rose 1 per cent to $4.675.
Skellerup Holdings reported the day's biggest gain, rising 4.1 per cent to $2.30. The stock has gained 8.5 per cent this week as investors prepare for a relatively upbeat result when the rubber goods maker reports in August.
Metlifecare increased 0.2 per cent at $5.80. The company is considering a takeover offer of $6 from Swedish buy-out firm EQT, which had tried to walk away from an earlier offer of $7. While the new bid is a premium to Metlifecare's trading price, it's a discount to the company's net tangible asset value of $7 per share.
"The debate is heating up as to whether $6 is a fair takeover price," Trethewey said. "Over a medium-term view you could see a lot more value realised from these assets."
Outside the benchmark, health and wellness company Me Today shares were put on a trading halt at 12.9 cents after the company said it would raise up to $4.5m by selling new shares at 9.5 cents each.
