UPDATE: Meridian shares rise after capital return flagged

(Adds investor comment, recasts)
By Paul McBeth
Feb. 18 (BusinessDesk) - Shares of Meridian Energy gained after the electricity generator-retailer flagged capital returns for shareholders over the next five years, including a special dividend with today's first-half earnings report.
The stock rose 2.6 percent to $1.95 after the Wellington-based company said it plans to return $625 million to shareholders via on-market buybacks and special dividends, and increased the proportion of free cash flow it will pay out in future dividends....
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