MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares gain; a2 jumps to 12-month high as earnings outperform

MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares gain; a2 jumps to 12-month high as earnings outperform
Paul McBeth
By Paul McBeth Feb. 20 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand shares rose amid a flurry of company earnings. A2 Milk hit a 12-month high after beating analysts' expectations, while Spark New Zealand, Fletcher Building and Meridian Energy fell.  The S&P/NZX 50 index increased 25.18 points, or 0.3 percent, to 9,249.44. Within the index, 20 stocks rose, 26 fell, and four were unchanged. Turnover was $169.1 million, of which a2 accounted for $51.8 million.  Four of the country's 10 biggest listed companies reported first-half earnings with mixed res...