MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise, Fletcher, Contact gain; Vista, Comvita fall

MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise, Fletcher, Contact gain; Vista, Comvita fall
Sophie Boot
By Sophie Boot Feb. 13 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand shares rose as Contact Energy posted stronger first-half earnings, and Fletcher Building, A2 Milk Co gained, while Vista Group International and Comvita fell. The S&P/NZX 50 Index rose 31.07 points, or 0.4 percent, to 7,135.5. Within the index, 26 stocks rose, 17 fell and seven were unchanged. Turnover was $94.5 million. Contact Energy rose 1.7 percent to $4.87. It posted a 12 percent gain in first-half underlying profit to $82 million while holding its dividend unchanged and trimming...