MARKET CLOSE NZX 50 rises to new record; MRP, Meridian, Contact gain on political polls

MARKET CLOSE NZX 50 rises to new record; MRP, Meridian, Contact gain on political polls
By Suze Metherell March 18 (BusinessDesk) – The NZX 50 Index rose to a new record, following a global rally, paced by power companies after recent political polls put the government ahead, helping dispel fears the opposition parties will be able to overhaul the electricity sector. MightyRiverPower, Meridian Energy and Contact Energy rose. The benchmark index rose 47.638 points, or 0.9 percent, to 5135.664. Within the index, 27 stocks rose, 12 fell and 11 were unchanged. Turnover was $167 million. Better than expected US industrial producti...