The New Zealand sharemarket ended a week in which global data stole the show on a flat note.The benchmark NZX-50 index closed up 4.288 points, or 0.1%, at 2938.109. Turnover was worth $53.8 million. There were 29 rises and 41 falls among the 105 stocks tr
The New Zealand sharemarket ended a week in which global data stole the show on a flat note.
The benchmark NZX-50 index closed up 4.288 points, or 0.1%, at 2938.109. Turnover was worth $53.8 million. There were 29 rises and 41 falls among the 105 stocks traded.
Yesterday the index lost 38.3 points as it fell for a sixth consecutive session on continued weakness in offshore markets on worries about European banks and the Chinese and US economies.
Today markets across Asia were mixed to weaker ahead of non-farm payrolls data in the US.
"It looks like investors are taking money off the table ahead of a crucial non-farm payrolls number this evening and Monday's Independence Day holiday in the US," said Ben Potter, market strategist at IG Markets.
"There's a lot of negative sentiment in the market at the moment so people are taking the cautious approach and reducing their exposure."
The leaders were mixed. Telecom rose 1c to 184, Fletcher Building fell 9c to 766 and Contact rose 4c to 573.
SkyCity rose 5c to 288, The Warehouse rose 4c to 340 and Nuplex 7c to 284.
Auckland Airport rose 1c to 187 and The Warehouse 4c to 340.
Pumpkin Patch rose 1c to 187 after announcing highly regarded businessman Brent Impey was joining its board as an independent director.
Retailer Postie Plus Group eased 2c to 30 after reporting a slowdown in sales in May and June.
Mercer Group was untraded after announcing debt it had to South Canterbury Finance was now provided by a company associated with its director Humphrey Rolleston.
L&M Energy rose 2c to 14c and NZ Refining rose 15c to 305.
Allied Farmers eased slightly to 3.7c.
NZX rose 4c to 146 and Goodman Fielder rose 3c to 164. Guinness Peat Group rose 1c to 65.
