New Zealand share prices closed 1.11 percent higher on Friday, following global optimism over efforts by world leaders to solve the economic crisis, dealers said. The benchmark NZX-50 index rose 28.68 points to 2,614.48 on turnover worth 82.76 million dollars (57.59 million US).
The shares were placed at 5.35 compared to the 6.20 they were at before the trading halt. Among other leading stocks, Telecom rose three cents to 2.40 and Contact Energy was up 10 cents at 5.90. NZX gained 20 cents early on to 6.70 before easing to 6.60, Trustpower gained 20 cents to 7.10 dollars and The Warehouse rose 5 cents to 3.59. Against the trend Fisher & Paykel Healthcare was nine cents off at 3.06.