MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise on Fed restraint, local GDP growth; Auckland Airport slides

MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise on Fed restraint, local GDP growth; Auckland Airport slides
Paul McBeth
March 21 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand shares rose after the US Federal Reserve signalled no rate rises there this year and local GDP data came in stronger than many economists had expected.  Auckland International Airport extended its decline from a record, while also shedding rights to its interim dividend.  The S&P/NZX 50 Index rose 25.61 points, or 0.3 percent, to 9,461.31. Within the index, 19 stocks rose, 24 fell, and seven were unchanged. Turnover was light at $87.7 million.  Stock markets across Asia were mixed with Australia's S&P...