New Zealand share prices closed 0.19 percent higher on Wednesday, with trading lacking direction following the July 4 holiday which closed Wall Street, dealers said. The benchmark NZX-50 index rose 6.94 points to 3,604.74 on turnover worth 127.9 million New Zealand dollars (78.1 million US). Among the 135 stocks traded, rises outnumbered falls 56 to 35.
Brokers said trading was mixed due to the public holiday in the US on Tuesday. Among market leaders Telecom was flat at 4.05 dollars on turnover worth 33 million dollars and Fletcher Building was up three cents at 9.25. Fisher and Paykel Appliances added a cent to 4.63 dollars and Fisher and Paykel Healthcare was up three cents at 4.33.