MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares join global rout as Chinese manufacturing contracts; Xero, Z Energy drop

MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares join global rout as Chinese manufacturing contracts; Xero, Z Energy drop
Sophie Boot
By Sophie Boot Jan. 5 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand shares fell, joining a global rout in equity markets after figures showed a deeper contraction in Chinese manufacturing. Xero, Z Energy and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare fell on light trading. The S&P/NZX 50 Index slipped 46.15 points, or 0.7 percent, to 6278.11. It dropped as much as 1.4 percent in intraday trading, recovering some ground as Asian markets rebounded. Within the index, 26 stocks fell, 21 rose and three were unchanged. Turnover was $98 million. The Caixin/Markit China Manuf...