11 May 2009

NZ, Australian markets lower

10:41 pm on 11 May 2009

The New Zealand and Australian markets were lower at the close of trade on Monday.

The New Zealand benchmark index was down 43 points, or 1.5%, to 2829.

Telecom was down 11 cents to $2.61, while Fletcher Building slid 18c to $6.05. Contact Energy rose 5c to $6.28.

The Australian share market finished the day weaker on profit-taking despite a positive lead from overseas.

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 ended 15.7 points, or 0.4%, at 3926, while the broader All Ordinaries lost 9.1 points, or 0.23%, at 3910.5.

In Japan, share prices closed up 0.20% on Monday, reversing early losses as hopes grew that the global economy is through the worst of its slump.

The Nikkei-225 index rose 19.15 points to 9,451.98. The broader Topix index of all first section shares added 5.10 points, or 0.57%, to 900.45.