MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise as Hallenstein trading boosts retailers; Spark gains

MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise as Hallenstein trading boosts retailers; Spark gains
By Suze Metherell Jan. 19 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand shares rose after a strong Christmas trading update by clothing chain Hallenstein Glasson lifted demand for other retailers, including Kathmandu Holdings. Spark New Zealand paced gains as investors continued to seek high-dividend paying stocks. The NZX 50 Index rose 21.411 points, or 0.4 percent, to 5638.137. Within the index, 24 stocks rose, 19 fell, and seven were unchanged. Turnover was a lighter than usual $59 million, due to Wellington Anniversary Day. Outside the benchmark in...