MARKET CLOSE NZ shares fall on China data; Fletcher, Xero decline

MARKET CLOSE NZ shares fall on China data; Fletcher, Xero decline
By Suze Metherell March 14 (BusinessDesk) – New Zealand stocks fell, joining a global sell off amid concern about a slowdown in China, Asia’s largest economy, after weaker than expected retail sales data. Xero and Fletcher Building paced the decline. The NZX 50 Index fell 32.66 points, or 0.6 percent, to 5079.324. Within the index, 26 stocks fell, 14 rose and 10 were unchanged. Turnover was $108 million. Markets across Asia declined after reports showed Chinese retail sales grew at the lowest rate in January and February since 2004, and in...