MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares fall as weak China manufacturing spurs regional selloff; ANZ, Westpac, Chorus decline

MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares fall as weak China manufacturing spurs regional selloff; ANZ, Westpac, Chorus decline
By Suze Metherell Sept. 1 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand shares were mixed as shrinking manufacturing activity in China raised fears about the world's second-biggest economy, and spurred a selloff in equity markets across Asia-Pacific. Australia New Zealand Banking Group, Chorus and Westpac Banking Corp declined.  The S&P/NZX 50 Index slipped 1.26 points, or 0.02 percent, to 5654.98. Within the index, 19 stocks fell, 19 rose and 12 were unchanged. Turnover was $200 million.  A gauge of Chinese manufacturing activity showed industrial pro...