New Zealand’s benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index dropped 0.7% to 12,769 on Wednesday, pulling back from a seven-week high hit the previous day, after the Reserve Bank paused its rate-cutting cycle. The central bank kept the cash rate at 3.25% as expected, citing concerns that current inflation and global trade tensions could fuel price pressures. It had cut rates six times since August 2023, totaling 225 basis points, but signaled further cuts may come if inflation eases as projected in May.
