MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares mixed, SkyCity falls on tepid earnings, Mainfreight and A2 rise

MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares mixed, SkyCity falls on tepid earnings, Mainfreight and A2 rise
Sophie Boot
By Sophie Boot Aug. 9 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand shares were mixed, with SkyCity Entertainment Group dropping to a five-month low on mediocre earnings while Mainfreight and A2 Milk Co gained. The S&P/NZX 50 Index rose 16.92 points, or 0.2 percent, to 7,799.64. Within the index, 24 stocks fell, 13 rose and 13 were unchanged. Turnover was $186.8 million. SkyCity shares fell 3.7 percent to $3.95 after posting its full-year results, with investors predicting analysts will downgrade the stock. The Auckland-based casino and hotel group...