MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares rise

New Zealand shares rose after the Reserve Bank cut interest rates, underlining the yield from companies such as Spark NZ, while Kathmandu fell, snapping a five-day rally that had pushed the retailer to a 19-month high.

The NZX 50 Index rose 4.21 points, or 0.1%, to 7353.82. Within the index, 21 stocks rose, 21 fell and nine were unchanged. Turnover was $129 million.

Spark rose 2.8% to $3.84 and has gained 36% in the past 12 months, outpacing a 26% gain in the NZX 50. The stock offers a prospective dividend yield of 6.8% based on Reuters data, more than twice the 3.2% rate offered on a six-month term deposit.

"It's a pretty safe dividend now. It isn't encumbered by owning a network anymore," said Greg Easton, an adviser at Craigs Investment Partners. Still, "it's a very competitive space they are working in."

Easton said the Reserve Bank's quarter-point cut to the official cash rate today will "flow through to good, dependable dividend stocks". But the main focus is on the earnings season.

Vital Healthcare Property Trust rose 0.4% to $2.27 after the Auckland-based hospital and healthcare property developer posted a 21% gain in full-year profit as rental income rose and it recognised a gain in the value of its portfolio.

SkyCity Entertainment Group fell 0.8% to $4.92, extending its decline yesterday when the hotel and casino group reported a 13% gain in full-year profit to about $146 million. Analysts at First NZ Capital had expected profit before one-time items of $156 million.

Wynyard Group tumbled 11% to 42c  after the crime-fighting and security software developer said it secured a $10 million revolving credit facility paying annual interest of 15% with major shareholder Skipton Building Society which will help manage its "revenue timing risks."

Wellington Merchants, the company formerly known as cashed-up former retailer Kirkcaldie & Stains, rose 1.9% to $3.28 after Ron Brierley's Mercantile NZ gave notice of a new takeover offer at $3.45 a share. On June 1, the Merchants board lifted its estimated return to shareholders to a range of $3.50 to $3.60 a share, from a previous range of $2.99 to $3.49.

Kathmandu fell 3% to $1.94. Last week, the retailer said its annual profit rose as much as 67% on fatter margins.

Westpac Banking Corp fell 2.8% to $31.85 and Australia & New Zealand Banking Group fell 2.1% to $28.

New Zealand Refining declined 4.3% to $2.45. Among other gainers, Trade Me Group climbed 2.2% to $5.10 and Fletcher Building rose 1.3% to $9.96.

(BusinessDesk)

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