MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise in run-up to Christmas

MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise in run-up to Christmas
Paul McBeth
By Paul McBeth Dec. 23 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand shares rose in abbreviated trading ahead of the Christmas holiday, led by blue-chip stocks including Auckland International Airport and Spark New Zealand, while Tenon gained on the prospect of it selling its remaining assets.  The S&P/NZX 50 index advanced 25.13 points, or 0.4 percent, to 6,877, extending its run of gains to six sessions. Within the index, 23 stocks rose, 16 declined, and 11 were unchanged. Turnover was $57.6 million, some $9.1 million of that on trading in A2 Milk share...