MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise in quiet trading ahead of earnings season

MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise in quiet trading ahead of earnings season
Paul McBeth
By Paul McBeth Feb. 8 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand shares gained in the run-up to corporate earnings season, with Contact Energy the first major company out of the blocks on Monday. Australian results have been mixed so far this week.  The S&P/NZX 50 index rose 43.1 points, or 0.5 percent, to 9,176.61. Within the index, 24 stocks gained, 20 fell, and six were unchanged. Turnover was $101 million, with eight companies clocking in volumes of more than a million shares.  Matt Goodson, managing director at Salt Funds Management, said Austr...