New Zealand stocks were little changed in early Tuesday trade, hovering around 13,079 after a modest rise in the prior session. Advances in communications and industrial services nearly offset losses in non-energy minerals and healthcare. Traders weighed U.S. Fed rate cut prospects amid labor market concerns, while assessing the domestic outlook after PM Christopher Luxon criticized the RBNZ’s cautious stance - despite a gradual easing in borrowing costs from 5.5% since last August. On Wall Street, equities closed lower Monday as investors booked profits ahead of Nvidia’s earnings and the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge. In China, January–July industrial profit data is due later this week, with sentiment clouded by trade barriers, soft demand, and adverse weather. Genesis Energy (-2.1%), T&G Global (-1.9%), and AFT Pharma (-1.5%) declined, while Scott Tech (2.4%), Vista Group (1.9%), and Mainfreight (1.8%) posted gains.