New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 rose 0.4% to 13,281 on Monday, marking its third consecutive gain and closing at the highest level since October 2021. The jump was driven by technology stocks, with notable increases from Rakon (+3.5%), ikeGPS (+3.5%), and Gentrack (+2.7%). Distribution and commercial services stocks also advanced, including Vulcan Steel (+1.3%), Steel & Tube (+1.5%), and PGG Wrightson (+2.5%). Meanwhile, investors are digesting disappointing Chinese export data for August, which fell to a six-month low as shipments to the US plunged under persistent tariffs. This poses risks to New Zealand’s export-reliant economy, given its close trade ties to China. Traders also continued to process weaker-than-expected August jobs data, raising concerns about a slowing economy, even as expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts firmed.