MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares down led by Spark; Xero, ERoad, Tegel rise

MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares down led by Spark; Xero, ERoad, Tegel rise
Sophie Boot
By Sophie Boot July 5 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand shares dropped with North Korean tensions spooking investors as the US Independence Day holiday left markets lacking direction. Spark New Zealand and A2 Milk Co fell while Xero and ERoad gained. The S&P/NZX 50 Index declined 24.97 points, or 0.3 percent, to 7,620.64. Within the index, 21 stocks fell, 17 rose and 12 were unchanged. Turnover was $106.9 million. Stocks across Asia were mixed as the US holiday left investors somewhat rudderless, and easy to unsettle by North Korea’s claim...