MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise; Port of Tauranga, Meridian gain, Z Energy drops on inquiry threat

MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise; Port of Tauranga, Meridian gain, Z Energy drops on inquiry threat
Sophie Boot
By Sophie Boot Feb. 1 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand shares gained slightly, treading water ahead of an earnings season where analysts are expecting weaker growth. Port of Tauranga and Meridian Energy gained while Z Energy dropped. The S&P/NZX50 Index rose 4.76 points, or 0.07 percent, to 7,055.51. Within the index, 26 stocks rose, 14 fell and 10 were unchanged. Turnover was $103 million. "The volatility from offshore is going to continue," said David Price, a broker at Forsyth Barr. "We're coming up to earnings season, there was quite a...