New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index ended flat at 13,717 on Thursday, as investors weighed geopolitical developments and awaited fresh economic data. Market participants seemed largely unfazed by the US intervention in Venezuela and the threats of further military action in the region, as well as the rising tensions between China and Japan. Meanwhile, investors are eyeing the US jobs report due on Friday, which could provide further insights into the Federal Reserve’s rate trajectory. Among large-cap stocks, Meridian Energy (+1.6%), Auckland Intl Airport (+0.5%), Contact Energy (+0.8%), and Spark NZ (+0.9%) posted gains, offsetting declines in Fisher & Paykel (-0.3%), Infratil (-1.55%), Mercury NZ (-0.6%), and Ebos Group (-0.8%).