MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares gain as defensive stocks find favour; Contact, Meridian rise

MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares gain as defensive stocks find favour; Contact, Meridian rise
Paul McBeth
By Paul McBeth Dec. 11 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand shares rose, led by Contact Energy and Meridian Energy as heightened uncertainty in global markets bolsters the attraction of defensive stocks offering stable dividends.  The S&P/NZX 50 index increased 10.92 points, or 0.1 percent, to 8,670.94. Within the index, 19 gained, 26 fell, and five were unchanged. Turnover was $124.9 million.  Asian stock markets were mixed with Hong Kong's Hang Seng down  0.1 percent and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index gaining 0.2 percent in afternoon trading...