New Zealand’s NZX 50 rose 134 points, or 1.0%, to close at 13,757 on Thursday, extending its advance from the previous session. The gains followed data showing gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 2.6% year-on-year in the second quarter, exceeding the 2.3% forecast and marking the strongest annual growth in three years. Quarterly growth slowed to 0.2% but still surpassed the 0.1% estimate. Elevated oil prices linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict remained a factor. The broader index also tracked higher US stock futures, although the Federal Reserve’s decision to raise interest rates for the first time since 2023 capped the advance. Traders continued monitoring the Iran-US war and its effect on oil prices. Energy, technology, utilities, real estate and financial stocks led the market, with Gentrack Group gaining 3.6%, Channel Infrastructure 2.7%, Mercury NZ 2.5%, Westpac Banking Corp. 2.3%, ANZ Group 1.5% and Infratil 1.4%.