Shares in New Zealand climbed 18 points, or 0.2%, to 12,498 in early deals on Friday, gaining for the second straight session. The NZX 50 tracked an upbeat session on Wall Street overnight amid easing geopolitical tensions and growing speculation of an interest rate cut, as well as a sharp rally in the tech sector. Fresh domestic data also lifted sentiment, after New Zealand’s consumer confidence improved to the highest level in six months, supported by gains across all components. However, traders anticipated the release of Chinese PMI data and New Zealand business confidence figures next week. Gains in materials, energy, and utilities mainly drove the index, with Meridian Energy climbing 1.8%, Colonial Motor rising 1.2%, ANZ Group advancing 1.2%, Vulcan Steel increasing 0.9%, and Westpac Banking Corporation gaining 0.5%. However, the index is heading for a 0.5% weekly fall, after gaining in the prior week, amid ongoing worries over geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.