MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise as utilities buoy market

Wed, 04 Mar 2020

New Zealand shares rose for a second day despite a weak lead from Wall Street. Utilities led the local market higher as the prospect of low interest rates for longer made companies paying reliable dividends more attractive. The S&P/NZX 50 Index gained 71.47 points, or 0.6 percent, to 11,417.78. Within the index, 18 stocks rose, 28 fell, and four were unchanged. Turnover was $242.8 million. David Price, a broker at Forysth Barr, said low long-term interest rates supported demand for equities offering reliable returns. He was less upbeat a...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

CEO Index Free

Richard Taylor is BusinessDesk’s CEO of the year

Four top business leaders were awarded this evening.

Staff reporters 7:00pm

CEO Index Free Private Company Winner

Richard Taylor projecting NZ's creative culture out to the world

The Wētā Workshop leader is hailed for his "deep impact" on NZ Inc.

Gill South 7:00pm

Richard Taylor projecting NZ's creative culture out to the world

CEO Index Free Startup Winner

The zombie apocalypse is where NZ games maker PikPok thrives

Mario Wynands employs a team of 180 in Wellington and 55 in Medellin, Colombia.

Gill South 7:00pm

The zombie apocalypse is where NZ games maker PikPok thrives

Sponsored

Cybersecurity skills gap leaving Kiwi businesses at risk - report

A cybersecurity skills shortage is creating additional cyber risks, according to a new global report.

Fortinet

Sponsored

Spark’s partner strategy sets the bar for innovation

Spark

More Markets

Markets Market Close

NZ sharemarket falls over 1%

The S&P/NZX 50 Index closed at 156.22 points, or down 1.16%.

Graham Skellern 6:05pm

Markets

1,200 Air NZ flight attendants vote to take strike action

About 1,200 Air New Zealand cabin crew have voted to take strike action, the union says.The union said those who voted for strike action worked across international, domestic and regional routes and had been trying for months to get better pay and rosters.Michael Wood, director o...

Staff reporters 5:05pm