KEY POINTS:
The New Zealand Exchange's benchmark NZX-50 index rose 20.3 per cent in 2006, compared to rises of 10 per cent a year earlier and 25.1 per cent in 2004, NZX says.
The index hit 4000 for the first time on December 20 and ended 2006 on 4055 points.
Key contributors to the index in 2006 were Fletcher Building, Infratil, Contact Energy, Guinness Peat Group, Ryman Healthcare and Mainfreight, NZX said.
Ceo Mark Weldon said the rise in the index was driven by a sustained performance from NZX-listed companies, fuelled by the confidence of both companies and investors that the performance of New Zealand capital markets could exceed expectations.
For 2007, the Government's KiwiSaver scheme, kicking off in July, offered most New Zealanders an opportunity to hold a stake in New Zealand assets, he said.
They would have an opportunity to build financial literacy through tracking asset performance and, in the process, provide for their own financial future.
"A culture change from credit-driven debt to asset-driven savings could be on the horizon," Mr Weldon said.
Monthly figures out today from NZX show 44,530 trades last month, 2 per cent down on the 45,328 in December 2005. The average number of daily trades rose 3 per cent from 2266 to 2344.
The total value traded for the month was up 6 per cent from $2.3 billion to $2.44 billion. Average daily value rose 12 per cent from $115 million to $129 million.
Leading NZX-50 security last month was Air New Zealand which rose 16.7 per cent, followed by AMP NZ Office Trust up 16.1 per cent and Sky TV up 12.9 per cent.
At the bottom of the list was New Zealand Oil & Gas which lost 14.4 per cent, while Skellerup Holdings lost 8.8 per cent and F&P Appliances was down 6.1 per cent.
Outside the top 50 companies Charlie's Group was the best mover, rising 26.4 per cent.
For the calendar year, the total capital raised on NZX markets through debt and equity was $4.23 billion, with $191m of new equity raised in December and $97m of new debt.
- NZPA