Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Best Gold Stocks to Buy Now: AABB, GOLD, GDX 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Stabilizes, Yen Weakens Ahead of Japan Election 
US-India Trade Bombshell: Tariffs Slashed to 18% — Rupee Soars, Sensex Explodes 
New Zealand’s monthly goods deficit was the third largest on record when excluding large items (aircraft), surpassed only by the previous two months. The annual deficit is now the highest in 11 years.
Imports reached their highest level ever of USD6.2 billion in October, mainly due to petroleum products. Exports also rose strongly as fruit (in particular kiwifruit), meat and forestry products all continued recent strength.
The unadjusted monthly trade deficit pared back USD300 million in October to USD1,295 million. Both exports and imports were slightly higher than expected; petroleum products accounted for a third of the rise in imports. Cell phones and mechanical machinery and equipment also contributed strongly.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, exports fell 6.4 percent m/m, but are hovering around historically high levels. Surprisingly, fruit exports were down 0.9 percent m/m, despite the USD165 million in total kiwifruit exports being the highest on record for an October month. Dairy, meat and forestry products all rose on strong volumes (6 percent, 13 percent and 12 percent respectively).
Seasonally adjusted imports fell 4.6 percent m/m, partially unwinding last month’s revised 9.6 percent lift. Petroleum products fell 15 percent m/m in what typically is volatile data, but major imports such as mechanical and electrical machinery and equipment (cell phones) rose 20 percent and 6 percent apiece. Textiles also rose a solid 18 percent m/m. Overall, imports items came in on the high side and paint a picture of solid domestic demand.
On a regional basis, China continues to command a higher share of New Zealand exports. Exports to China in the past 12 months were $13.5 billion, representing 24 percent of all goods exports. This includes large chunks of New Zealand’s major export groups such as dairy, forestry, meat and fruit exports. By contrast, exports to Australia are just 16 percent of total goods exports.
