New Zealand share prices closed 0.73 percent higher on Monday, taking their lead from rising markets in Australia and the United States, dealers said. The benchmark NZSX-50 gross index rose 26.5 pooints to 3,625.91 on turnover worth 83.13 million New Zealand dollars (52.29 million US).
Listed travel agent Gullivers Travel Group was the standout performer, piling on 41 percent to 2.36 after Australian travel and hospitality company S8 Ltd launched a 2.35 dollars per share bid for the company, valuing it at 235 million.
Hamilton Hindin Greene partner Grant Williamson described it as a "very good price".
Among the top stocks, Contact Energy rose 10 cents to 7.88 dollars and Fletcher Building added eight cents to 9.10 - moves Williamson attributed to recouping recent losses.
Fisher and Paykel Appliances, which on Friday posted a 6.7 percent fall in net profit to 63.9 million for the year to March 31, but said performance improved in the second half, gained 16 cents to 4.41.
Its sister stock, Fisher and Paykel Healthcare, rose three cents to 4.32 dollars after posting a 14 percent rise in full year profit and forecasting a 30 percent revenue lift in the 2007 year.