New Zealand’s benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index edged 0.1% lower to close at 13,574 on Tuesday, after a volatile session that briefly touched a three-week low. The decline came as investors grew cautious globally in response to US tariff threats on Europe. Meanwhile, traders are now turning their attention to the domestic Q4 inflation report due later this week, with the annual rate expected to remain at its highest level in a year, potentially reinforcing the case for policy tightening by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. Most key stocks ended in the red, led by index-heavy financials, with Westpac Banking and AZN Group Holdings down 0.8% and 1.2%, respectively. Other laggards included Infratil Limited (-1.2%), Fonterra (-0.5%), Contact Energy (-0.5%), A2 Milk (-1%), and Mainfreight (-0.4%). On the upside, gains were seen from Meridian Energy (+1.8%), Auckland International Airport (+1.2%), and Mercury NZ (+0.8%).
