MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares gain as upcoming Fed meeting bolsters yield stocks; Sky TV gains

MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares gain as upcoming Fed meeting bolsters yield stocks; Sky TV gains
Paul McBeth
By Paul McBeth Dec. 19 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand shares gained on expectations the US Federal Reserve may soften its interest rate outlook for the coming year. Sky Network Television extended its rebound.  The S&P/NZX 50 index rose 73.82 points, or 0.9 percent, to 8,762.19. Within the index, 32 stocks gained, 10 fell and eight were unchanged. Turnover was $148.4 million.  The local market outperformed Asia, where Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index was down 0.3 percent in afternoon trading, Singapore's Straits Times index rose 0.4 percent...