New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 fell 0.2% to close at 13,254 on Tuesday, ending a three-day rally as investors took profits after the index hit a four-year high in the previous session. Declines were broad-based, with notable losses in communication and consumer durable stocks, including Spark NZ (-4.2%), Vital (-1.2%), and KMD Brands (-3.7%). Most sectors faced downward pressure, with utilities and electronic technology stocks each dropping more than 1%. Sentiment was further weighed down by weak August trade data from China, New Zealand’s top trading partner, as both exports and imports rose less than expected amid growing trade barriers and sluggish domestic demand. Domestically, a sharp decline in second-quarter sales across multiple industries highlighted growth risks and reinforced expectations of another rate cut at the RBNZ’s October meeting, following last month’s cash rate reduction and guidance for further easing.