Oil Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Middle East Tensions 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
U.S. Stock Futures Rise as Markets Brace for Jobs and Inflation Data 
Indian Refiners Scale Back Russian Oil Imports as U.S.-India Trade Deal Advances 
UK Starting Salaries See Strongest Growth in 18 Months as Hiring Sentiment Improves 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
New Zealand government bonds surged at the time of closing on the last trading day of the week Friday as investors covered previous short positions, following global uncertainties and fears of a trade war, sparked by steps taken by United States President Donald Trump.
At the time of closing, the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to its price, slumped 6-1/2 basis points to 2.96 percent, the yield on 20-year plunged 9 basis points to 3.47 percent and the yield on short-term 2-year closed 1 basis point higher at 1.97 percent.
There was much to digest overnight, with US president Trump signing executive orders on steel and aluminum tariffs to be effected on March 23 with Canada and Mexico exempted for the time being pending NAFTA renegotiations.
Meanwhile, the NZX 50 index closed 0.37 percent higher at 8,390.00, while at 06:00GMT, the FxWirePro's Hourly NZD Strength Index remained highly bullish at 103.68 (a reading above +75 indicates a bullish trend, while that below -75 a bearish trend). For more details, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex
FxWirePro launches Absolute Return Managed Program. For more details, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/invest
