MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise, led by Contact on earnings outlook; Heartland, Opus gain; Freightways falls

Mon, 14 Aug 2017

By Sophie Boot Aug. 14 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand shares gained as Contact Energy and Heartland Bank rose on positive earnings, while Freightways dropped on concern over margin pressure. Opus International Consultants soared on the prospect of a takeover. The S&P/NZX50 Index rose 42.83 points, or 0.6 percent, to 7,761.94. Within the index, 27 stocks rose, 17 fell and six were unchanged. Turnover was $123 million. Contact led the benchmark higher, rising 3 percent to $5.54. The electricity generator-retailer reported a 10 percent fa...

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