RBNZ expects annual headline inf to peak at 3.9% in the June 2026 quarter, then decline to 3.3% in the September 2026 quarter.

Capital Economics’ Gareth Leather says rising El Nifio-driven food price risks make Asian central banks unlikely to quickly reverse recent rate hikes. Many central banks responded aggressively to the earlier energy shock, with most hiking at least once; while lower energy prices have eased the urgency for further tightening, food carries a higher weight than energy in Asian consumer baskets, so El Nifio could keep policymakers cautious. Capital Economics continues to expect further tightening in India, Pakistan and South Korea over the coming months.

A-share AI server, switch and other compute-hardware stocks remained active, lifting AI PC concept names; Hongxi Technology hit the daily limit, Leishen Technology rose more than 15%, and Huaqin Technology, Huiwei Intelligent, Yidao Information and Lianyun Technology also gained.