New Zealand Professional Investment Services Firm, Forsyth Barr

Forsyth Barr

New Zealand Professional Investment Services Firm

We are proud to be a New Zealand owned firm, with 21 offices throughout the country and over 300 employees. We assist personal, institutional and corporate clients providing a full range of investment services.

Forsyth Barr is a foundation New Zealand Exchange firm (NZX) and accredited market participant. We have been confirmed by the Financial Markets Authority as a Qualifying Financial Entity (QFE).

Research is the cornerstone of our advice. We have one of New Zealand's leading teams of analysts. Our global affiliations ensure comprehensive research coverage of all major investment markets.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>Mercury's (MCY) recent sell-off, driven by MSCI Standard Index exclusion speculation, provides an opportunity to invest in one of New Zealand's highest quality companies.</li><li>MCY's possible exclusion from the Index would not be due to poor company performance, but instead to the abstruse MSCI methodology.</li><li>We remain attracted to MCY's outlook. Recent trading conditions should see MCY beat its FY25 EBITDAF guidance. </li></ul>

Mercury's (MCY) recent sell-off, driven by MSCI Standard Index exclusion speculation, provides an opportunity to invest in one of New Zealand's highest quality companies.MCY's possible exclusion from the Index would not be due to poor company performance, but instead to the abstruse MSCI methodology.We remain attracted to MCY's outlook. Recent trading conditions should see MCY beat its FY25 EBITDAF guidance. 

Mercury - Don't Be Passive, This Is an Active Opportunity

<ul><li>October 2025 broke several records—the highest geothermal, wind, and solar generation for October; a renewable generation record; and, at month end, the snowpack was at its highest ever for this time of year.</li><li>The system is long energy, with hydro storage ~+50% above average, so we expect low wholesale electricity prices to persist for a while, although the NIWA climate survey indicates more settled weather ahead, and an 80% chance of La Niña conditions.</li><li>Genesis Energy (GNE) is the main short-term beneficiary of current operating conditions, as it can switch off its high-cost thermal generation.</li></ul>

October 2025 broke several records—the highest geothermal, wind, and solar generation for October; a renewable generation record; and, at month end, the snowpack was at its highest ever for this time of year.The system is long energy, with hydro storage ~+50% above average, so we expect low wholesale electricity prices to persist for a while, although the NIWA climate survey indicates more settled weather ahead, and an 80% chance of La Niña conditions.Genesis Energy (GNE) is the main short-term beneficiary of current operating conditions, as it can switch off its high-cost thermal generation.

Power Points Renewables Rule The Roost—November 2025

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul><li>We like the valuation metrics that the sector is currently offering, with the electricity sector underperforming its yield peers despite performing well vs the market.</li><li>Electricity demand increased +5.7% in August 2025 vs 2024, with 60% of the increase due to New Zealand’s largest consumer, NZAS, returning to full demand in late August for the first time in 14 months.</li><li>FY25 saw the combined EBITDAF of the generator–retailers fall -9% vs FY24.</li></ul>

We like the valuation metrics that the sector is currently offering, with the electricity sector underperforming its yield peers despite performing well vs the market.Electricity demand increased +5.7% in August 2025 vs 2024, with 60% of the increase due to New Zealand’s largest consumer, NZAS, returning to full demand in late August for the first time in 14 months.FY25 saw the combined EBITDAF of the generator–retailers fall -9% vs FY24.

Power Points - DEMAND STORMS BACK—SEPTEMBER 2025

<ul><li>The most notable announcement in the past month was the deal between the four large generator/retailers to support the retention of the third Rankine Unit through to at least 2036.</li><li>We have upgraded Contact Energy (CEN) to OUTPERFORM.</li><li>July 2025 was also notable for very high peak demand periods that largely went unrecognised, and wholesale electricity prices ~-70% lower than July 2024.</li></ul>

The most notable announcement in the past month was the deal between the four large generator/retailers to support the retention of the third Rankine Unit through to at least 2036.We have upgraded Contact Energy (CEN) to OUTPERFORM.July 2025 was also notable for very high peak demand periods that largely went unrecognised, and wholesale electricity prices ~-70% lower than July 2024.

Power Points Delivering Sector Security—August 2025

<ul><li>Hydro storage has recovered above the long-run average, benefiting all generators, with Mercury (MCY) being the biggest winner in June 2025.</li><li>Regulatory uncertainty looms, but is not expected to materially affect valuations, with MCY rated OUTPERFORM and others NEUTRAL.</li><li>Genesis Energy (GNE) is considering a new peaking plant, with discussions progressing positively to extend the Rankine units' operational life.</li></ul>

Hydro storage has recovered above the long-run average, benefiting all generators, with Mercury (MCY) being the biggest winner in June 2025.Regulatory uncertainty looms, but is not expected to materially affect valuations, with MCY rated OUTPERFORM and others NEUTRAL.Genesis Energy (GNE) is considering a new peaking plant, with discussions progressing positively to extend the Rankine units' operational life.

Power Points Watts in the Bank—July 2025

New Zealand

Mercury NZ Ltd provides utility services. The Company generates and supplies electricity from hydro, geothermal, gas-fired, and wind power stations, as well as owns and manages bio-energy power plants. Mighty River Power serves customers throughout New Zealand.

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Mercury NZ Ltd (MCY NZ)

Mercury - Don't Be Passive, This Is an Active Opportunity

Mercury's (MCY) recent sell-off, driven by MSCI Standard Index exclusion speculation, provides an opportunity to invest in one of...

Forsyth Barr

Power Points Renewables Rule The Roost—November 2025

Genesis Energy (GNE) is the main short-term beneficiary of current operating conditions, as it can switch off its high-cost thermal generation.

Forsyth Barr

Power Points - DEMAND STORMS BACK—SEPTEMBER 2025

We like the valuation metrics that the sector is currently offering, with the electricity sector underperforming its yield peers despite performing...

Forsyth Barr

Power Points Delivering Sector Security—August 2025

The most notable announcement in the past month was the deal between the four large generator/retailers to support the retention of the third...

Forsyth Barr

Power Points Watts in the Bank—July 2025

Hydro storage has recovered above the long-run average, benefiting all generators, with Mercury (MCY) being the biggest winner in June 2025.

Forsyth Barr

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