NEW Zealand stocks have fallen, tracking a global decline, as investors' fears of faltering economic recovery were exacerbated by poor manufacturing data in the US and China.
The NZX 50 Index dropped 46.883 points or about one per cent on Tuesday to 4802.619, its lowest in three weeks.
Within the index 31 stocks fell, four rose and 15 were unchanged. Total turnover for the day was $123.8 million.
Manufacturing data out of the US grew at its slowest pace in the past eight months, compounding poor manufacturing, job and export data from the world's second biggest economy, China.
The global market response weighed on the New Zealand market. During morning trade the NZX 50 dropped to a four week intraday low, before regaining ground.
"It's a sea of red today, although we held out better than most other markets," said Mark Lister, head of private wealth research at Craigs Investment Partners.
"The US got us off to a weak start because of manufacturing data. People picked up on that and start to speculate whether there was a soft spot."
Xero, the cloud-based accounting software company, led the market lower, sinking 4.3 per cent to $37.80, its lowest price in three weeks.
"For high volatility stock, like Xero, when the market is in a good mood Xero will perform well," Mr Lister said.
"But the other side of the coin for a stock like Xero is it can get sold off, because it's higher risk, and more sensitive to the market."
Online auction site Trade Me Group dropped 2.4 per cent to $4.03 and Port of Tauranga fell 2.4 per cent to $14.10.
Stock market operator NZX declined 2.3 per cent to $1.25.
Auckland International Airport declined 2.2 per cent to $3.55.
Guinness Peat Group led the day's few gainers, up 2.3 per cent to 67 cents, a two and a half year high. The investment company is cash rich after a divestment process, but is tied up with an ongoing battle with the UK pension regulator.
