The NZX 50 rose 33 points, or 0.2%, to 13,541 on Tuesday, following its best intraday gain in over four months in the previous session. This surge brought the index to its highest level since December 3, tracking a rally on Wall Street overnight as tech sectors continued to recover from a volatile streak due to re-ignited optimism around AI-related shares. Traders capitalized on shortened trading hours this week in anticipation of further Fed rate cuts, amidst a lack of strong market catalysts. With trading in New Zealand closing early on Christmas Eve and remaining shut on December 25 and 26, most sectors saw gains, including consumer discretionary, financials, utilities, and real estate. Sentiment was also boosted by the PBoC's decision to maintain key lending rates at record lows, supporting New Zealand's top trading partner. Early winners included Meridian Energy (2.0%), Infratil (1.3%), Colonial Motor (1.0%), Westpac Banking Corp. (0.6%), and Ebos Group (0.5%).