MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares edge up as earnings season looms; A2, Contact fall

MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares edge up as earnings season looms; A2, Contact fall
By Paul McBeth July 20 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand shares edged higher, led by Skellerup Holdings, as investors prepare for next month's earnings season where they will expect companies to deliver higher profits. A2 Milk Co declined after rejecting a potential takeover bid. The S&P/NZX 50 Index increased 8.16 points, or 0.1 percent, to 5861.92. Within the index, 27 stocks gained, 17 fell and six were unchanged. Turnover was lighter than usual at $90 million. The local market has been a beneficiary from the improving global sentiment a...