NZX share trading dips in Feb as debt transactions rise

Trading in shares on the NZX fell last month, by value, while transactions involving debt securities rose, according to the exchange's monthly metrics.

The total value of trading in equities fell 3.5 per cent from the same month a year earlier to $2.2 billion, or an average of $109 million a day. The volume of trades jumped 57 per cent to 77,890.

Trading in debt securities rose 13 per cent to $90 million, with the volume climbing 16 per cent to 3,337.

The NZX 50 Index edged up about 0.8 per cent last month in the midst of an earnings season that yielded mixed results, including disappointments from companies such as Fletcher Building, the biggest on the exchange.

There was $26 million of equity capital raised last month and $10 million of debt. Total equity securities listed fell 0.6 per cent to 171 and debt securities fell 6.9 per cent to 108. There were 10 securities listed as 'other', down 29 per cent from a year earlier.

The exchange's equity market capitalisation fell 0.3 per cent to $57.1 billion, or the equivalent of 28 per cent of gross domestic product. The value of debt securities fell 0.7 per cent from a year earlier to $16 billion, or 7.8 per cent of GDP.