NZX 50 Index Rises Amid Inflation Concerns, Led by Serko Gains

New Zealand's S&P/NZX 50 index rose for a second week, buoyed by a weaker kiwi that helped exporters like Sanford offset the impact of rising bond yields and inflation concerns.

The index ended the week on a sour note with a 0.1% dip to 13,811.11 on Friday, but its weekly gain remained at 0.5%. The kiwi dollar traded at 56.53 US cents at 5pm in Auckland, down from 56.75 cents yesterday.

Serko led the gains with an 11% increase, while Vulcan Steel and Sanford advanced 10% and 8.9%, respectively. Rate-sensitive stocks like Gentrack, Vista Group International, and Precinct Properties NZ took a hit due to rising interest rates and inflation fears.