MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise as A2 and Fletcher Building recover recent losses

MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise as A2 and Fletcher Building recover recent losses
Sophie Boot
By Sophie Boot Dec. 19 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand shares rose, led higher by Freightways and Comvita, as a2 Milk Co and Fletcher Building rebounded from recent selling ahead of the Christmas holiday. The S&P/NZX50 Index gained 57.05 points, or 0.7 percent, to 8,401.2. Within the index, 34 stocks rose, 13 fell and three were unchanged. Turnover was $125 million.  "There's a strong Santa Clause rally that's ongoing and people looking to bed in the gains," said Shane Solly, director at Harbour Asset Management. "It's a pretty positive r...