New Zealand share prices closed 0.58 percent higher Wednesday, benefiting from stronger Asian markets, dealers said. The benchmark NZX-50 index rose 17.96 points to 3,117.59 on turnover worth 112.6 million dollars (79.5 million US). There were 51 rises and 33 falls among the 116 stocks traded. Fletcher Building rose 22 cents to 8.18 dollars and Contact Energy added three cents to 5.93.
Rural services firm PGG Wrightson fell two cents to 72 cents after saying it had been notified by Silver Fern Farms of an intention to sell shares in the wake of a failed tie-up between the two companies. Port of Tauranga fell four cents to 6.65 dollars, discount retailer The Warehouse dropped 12 cents to 4.13 and clothing retailer Hallenstein Glasson lost 10 cents to 2.90. Fisher and Paykel Healthcare fell eight cents to 3.15 dollars and fishing company Sanford fell five cents to 4.95.