Investors may also have been sidelined after North Korea today said it had successfully tested a newly developed mid-to-long range missile on Sunday aimed at verifying the capability to carry a "large scale heavy nuclear warhead".
The missile landed in the sea 97km south of Russia, Reuters reported.
And news of the ransomware attack likely added to investors' nerves.
A2 Milk, which has significant exposure to China, shed 2.5 per cent to $3.45, while Air New Zealand ended down 1.8 per cent at $2.75.
Precinct Properties New Zealand shed 2.0 per cent to $1.20.
Kathmandu Holdings ended down 2.0 per cent at $1.99 despite news that retail sales surged in New Zealand in the first quarter.
Spark New Zealand fell 1.7 per cent to $3.68.
In the other direction, Trustpower added 1.6 per cent to $5.10 after it lifted annual profit 37 per cent as the electricity generator-retailer's earnings were bolstered by strong hydro production and favourable prices in Australia, and a full-year contribution from King Country Energy.
Ryman Healthcare, New Zealand's biggest listed retirement village operator, announced plans for a sixth village in Australia, a $100m development in the Victorian city of Geelong. The stock added 0.4 per cent to $8.62.
Goodman Property Trust added 1.2 per cent to $1.23 while Infratil added 1.2 per cent to $2.985.
Both companies might be benefiting as investors turned to high-yielding stock in a low-interest-rate environment, Gordon said.
Ryman Healthcare, Goodman Property Trust and Infratil were all due to report earnings this week, he said.
