MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise on optimism over Greek deal; Contact, Meridian gain

MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise on optimism over Greek deal; Contact, Meridian gain
By Paul McBeth July 14 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand shares rose, snapping four declines, as the prospect of a Greek deal calmed global markets and stoked investors' demand for riskier assets such as stocks. Power company Contact Energy led the benchmark index higher. The S&P/NZX 50 index advanced 44.18 points, or 0.8 percent, to 5750.88. Within the index, 28 stocks gained, nine fell, and 13 were unchanged. Turnover was $138 million. A provisional agreement opened the way for Greece to receive an 86 billion euro funding line and remain...