New Zealand shares slipped 67 points, or 0.5%, to 13,377 in Friday morning trade, pausing a two-day rally after Wall Street retreated on geopolitical jitters. Investors weighed remarks from U.S. President Trump, who said he will decide within 10 days whether to launch military strikes against Iran. Profit-taking also pressured sectors including healthcare, non-energy minerals, and financials. Notable laggards included Briscoe Group (-1.7%), A2 Milk (-1.5%), Vector (-1.4%), and Napier Port (-1.3%). Despite the pullback, the market remains on track for a weekly gain of about 1.4%, rebounding from prior weakness. Support came from the Reserve Bank’s decision to hold cash rates steady at its first 2026 meeting, signaling hikes would only follow stronger inflation and growth. On the trade front, January’s deficit narrowed as exports outpaced imports, offering a modest boost to sentiment.