MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares fall as Meridian faces declining hydro storage

MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares fall as Meridian faces declining hydro storage
Paul McBeth
By Paul McBeth Oct. 16 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand shares fell for a second day with Meridian Energy lower as the power company confronts dry conditions, and exporters Comvita and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare faced a stronger kiwi dollar.  The S&P/NZX index declined 34.62 points, or 0.4 percent, to 8,803.45. Within the index 26 stocks fell, 19 gained, and five were unchanged. Turnover was $174.2 million, with Ryman Healthcare accounting for $99.2 million of that. Ryman fell 0.8 percent to $12.70.  Meridian fell 1.7 percent to $3.13 on s...