Sign in Enquire

NZX and ASX investing guides

Plain-English explainers on New Zealand and Australian shares: how to buy, when the markets trade, how dividends and tax work, and how to read what companies announce.

Research skills

ASX short selling reports: how to read ASIC short positionsWhat short selling is, how ASIC's daily short position reports work, what a high or rising short interest can tell you, and the limits of the data for NZ and Australian investors.4 min read How to read NZX and ASX company announcementsWhat continuous disclosure means, which NZX and ASX announcements move share prices, how to read results, guidance, trading halts and capital raisings, and the red flags to watch for.4 min read Substantial holder notices and director trades on the NZX and ASXHow to read substantial holder notices and director share dealings on the NZX and ASX, the 5% and 1% thresholds, deadlines, and what insider buying and selling can signal.4 min read

Markets explained

Dual-listed NZX and ASX companies: what they are and where to buyWhich large companies are listed on both the NZX and ASX, how dual listings work, and how to choose the market to buy on based on currency, liquidity, fees and tax.4 min read How tariffs, oil prices and the NZ dollar move NZX and ASX sharesHow big economic forces such as US tariffs, oil prices, the NZ and Australian dollar, interest rates, China and conflict feed through to NZX and ASX companies, with examples by sector.4 min read NZX and ASX trading hours in NZ and Australian timeWhen the NZX and ASX open and close, the pre-open and closing auctions, how daylight saving shifts the ASX in New Zealand time, and what happens on public holidays.4 min read NZX vs ASX: the key differences for investorsHow the NZX and ASX compare on size, sectors, indices, trading hours, settlement, dividends and tax, and what that means when you choose where to invest.4 min read

Dividends and tax

Ex-dividend, record and payment dates explainedWhat the ex-dividend date, record date and payment date mean on the NZX and ASX, when you need to own shares to get a dividend, and why share prices drop on the ex-date.4 min read Imputation and franking credits explained for NZ and Australian investorsWhat imputation credits and franking credits are, how they reduce tax on dividends, how to gross up a dividend, and why each only works on its own side of the Tasman.5 min read Tax on ASX and overseas shares in New Zealand: the FIF rulesHow New Zealand's foreign investment fund (FIF) rules work, the $50,000 threshold, the ASX exemption for Australian-resident companies, and the FDR and CV methods.4 min read

Getting started

How to buy ASX shares from New ZealandHow New Zealanders can buy Australian shares on the ASX: platforms, currency conversion, HINs, Australian withholding tax, franking credits and the FIF exemption.4 min read How to buy NZX shares: a beginner's guide for New ZealandersA step-by-step guide to buying shares on the NZX, from choosing a platform and placing your first order to settlement, CSNs, fees and dividends.6 min read