MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares gain; Fletcher Building up on outlook, NZX falls

MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares gain; Fletcher Building up on outlook, NZX falls
Sophie Boot
By Sophie Boot Aug. 17 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand shares rose on Fletcher Building's positive annual earnings and outlook, while NZX dropped after posting first-half results that included costs of its legal battle with Ralec. The S&P/NZX 50 Index gained 44.34 points, or 0.6 percent, to 7,355.01. Within the index, 27 stocks rose, 13 fell and 11 were unchanged. Turnover was $175.3 million. The index was led higher by Fletcher Building, up 4.9 percent to $10.16. The building and construction company posted a 71 percent gain in full-year...