Mid-cap shares perform in weak NZ market

File photo / NZH

Shares in Ebos and Restaurant Brands rose to record highs today in a market which posted modest losses as Asian markets weakened after a mixed lead from Wall Street.

The benchmark NZX-50 index ended down 5.104 points, or 0.155 per cent, at 3280.338 after initially opening up 6.65 points.

Medical equipment firm Ebos closed up 5c at 725 and fast food chain operator Restaurant Brands rose 6c to a record 275.

"Some of these mid-cap companies are performing extremely well compared to other companies," said Grant Williamson, director at Hamilton, Hindin, Greene.

"Restaurant Brands continues to power along. Investors are still getting stuck in following last week's half-year result," he said. Restaurant Brands reported a 50.3 per cent rise in half year net profit last week.

The Australian market was weaker today on profit taking even though BNZ's parent National Australia Bank reported an extremely strong profit result.

Contact Energy rose 2c to 587. Mr Williamson said commentary at its annual meeting suggested the company was well positioned.

NZOG rose 2c to 131 on the day of its annual meeting and Skellerup was unchanged at 96 as its shareholders also met.

NZX fell 3c to 156 and it reported higher third quarter earnings after the market closed.

Abano Healthcare was unchanged at 525 after saying it will return $27.3 million to shareholders.

Air New Zealand was unchanged at 134 after announcing strong passenger numbers. The company was doing well compared to airlines around the world, Mr Williamson said.

Kirkcaldie & Stains added 5c to 270 even though it reported a lower annual profit.

Telecom fell 3c to 204 and Fletcher Building fell 6c to 802. Fisher & Paykel Healthcare fell 11c to 319.

In the United States, mixed earnings reports and a stronger US dollar helped stocks finish about where they started the day.

The Dow Jones industrial average wavered within a 100-point range as traders attempted to parse the direction of the economy amid a drop in home prices, a batch of weak earnings reports and a slight rise in consumer confidence.

The Dow rose 0.1 per cent to 11,169.46, the Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 0.02 to 1185.64, while the technology-focused Nasdaq composite index rose 0.3 per cent to 2497.29.

Ford Motor Co and Coach Inc were among the few bright spots in the big batch of earnings reports released.

- NZPA