New Zealand's NZX 50 fell 31 points, or 0.2%, to close at 13,942 on Monday after gaining in the previous session, tracking Wall Street's decline on Friday. Stronger-than-expected U.S. labor data raised expectations that the Federal Reserve would lift interest rates at its upcoming meeting. Traders remained cautious ahead of China's CPI, PPI and August trade data due later this week. Rising oil prices amid the escalating Middle East conflict added to inflation concerns and strengthened bets on further central-bank rate increases. Investors also assessed a Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll showing the Labour Party at its lowest level since July 2024. Materials, healthcare, real estate and communication services weighed on the index, led by Vulcan Steel, Fisher & Paykel and Hallenstein Glasson. An earlier statement by RBNZ Assistant Governor Karen Silk had indicated that another New Zealand rate increase was more likely to come in December.