The NZX 50 was almost flat in early deals on Tuesday, trading around 12,541, after falling for the second straight day as gains in consumer discretionary, real estate, and financials offset falls in consumer staples, the tech sector, and energy. Traders remained cautious amid the lack of a new catalyst and ongoing trade talks between the US and China. Traders continued to monitor developments, as Washington and Beijing were set to resume trade talks on Tuesday. Investors also continued to assess Monday's data from New Zealand's top trading partner, following disappointing figures for consumer and producer prices as well as trade data. In the US, Wall Street closed in the green, buoyed by hopes of easing trade tensions following the start of trade talks between the US and China in London. Ebos Group rose 0.4%, F&C Investment Trust gained 0.3%, Mercury NZ increased 0.7%, while Fisher & Paykel and Briscoe Group fell by 0.9% each, and Colonial Motor dropped 1.2%.