MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise; Chorus gains as earnings meet estimates

MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise; Chorus gains as earnings meet estimates
By Suze Metherell Feb. 23 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand shares rose, paced by Chorus as its first-half earnings met with market expectations. Xero rose to a four-month high as a seller exited the stock.  The NZX 50 Index rose 5.409 points, or 0.1 percent, to 5754.357. Within the index, 24 stocks rose, 18 fell, eight were unchanged. Turnover was $253 million, including $76 million of Fletcher Building..  Chorus rose 1.1 percent to $2.86. The telecommunications network operator posted an 18 percent drop in first-half profit to $64 million...