New Zealand share prices closed 0.12 percent higher Friday, with the local market shrugging off falls on Wall Street, dealers said. The benchmark NZX-50 index rose 3.66 points to 3,156.46 on turnover worth 124 million dollars (88 million US). There were 50 rises and 40 falls among the 120 stocks traded. Contact Energy rose four cents to 5.98 dollars and Auckland Airport added five cents to 1.85.
Restaurant Brands rose 16 cents to 1.19 dollars after the company upgraded its annual profit forecast on the back of a strong performance by KFC and improvements by Pizza Hut. Air New Zealand fell one cent to 1.22, Sky City rose two cents to 3.24 dollars and Mainfreight added three cents to 5.33. Fisher and Paykel Appliances was unchanged at 80 cents.