The NZX 50 fell 20 points, or 0.1%, to 13,616 on Thursday, down for the fourth consecutive session and marking its lowest level since July 2, mainly weighed down by losses in communication services, energy, consumer staples, and financials. Investors continued to monitor developments in the Middle East conflict amid rising oil prices, as inflation concerns fueled expectations of further interest rate hikes. Traders were cautious ahead of the release of June food inflation data due on Friday after the figures accelerated in May. On Tuesday, RBNZ Chief Economist Paul Conway warned that sticky inflation, driven by recent Middle East supply shocks, could prompt further interest rate hikes. Disappointing data from China further pressured sentiment, as the country's economy grew at its slowest pace in 3-1/2 years. Among the biggest laggards were Summerset Group (-2.6%), Scales Corporation (-1.2%), A2 Milk (-1.1%), Hallenstein Glasson (-1.1%), and Freightways Group (-0.8%).