MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise; Meridian, Fletcher, F&P gain, SkyTV sinks on guidance

MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise; Meridian, Fletcher, F&P gain, SkyTV sinks on guidance
Suze Metherell
By Suze Metherell Oct. 21 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand shares rose as a weakening kiwi dollar and demand for dividends boosted equities. Meridian Energy, Fletcher Building and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare advanced. Sky Network Television plunged after forecasting a drop in profit.  The S&P/NZX 50 Index rose 22.76 points, 0.4 percent, to 5918.25. Within the index, 34 stocks rose, 10 fell, and six were unchanged. Turnover was $190 million.  The benchmark index extended yesterday's 1 percent gain in broad-based buying, as investors sought d...