MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares tread water, Air NZ falls as Qantas signals weak demand

MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares tread water, Air NZ falls as Qantas signals weak demand
Sophie Boot
By Sophie Boot April 18 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand shares rose to a fresh high in light trading as the local index outperformed Asian markets. SkyCity Entertainment Group gained while Air New Zealand dropped, following ASX-listed Qantas Airways lower. The S&P/NZX 50 Index gained 6.46 points, or 0.1 percent, to 6,851.2. Within the index, 21 stocks rose, 18 fell and 10 were unchanged. Turnover was $113 million. Other markets across Asia traded lower this afternoon, as oil futures plunged after producers' talks in Doha failed to reach a...