New Zealand shares rose to a two-month high, paced by Chorus, Kathmandu and Sky Network Television as the prospects of strong economic growth drew retail investors to the equity market. Hallenstein Glasson Holdings tumbled after posting weak December sales. The NZX 50 Index advanced 8.256 points, or about 0.2 percent, to 4921.290, the highest since Nov. 15. Within the index, …

Xero, whose shares soared 333 percent in 2013, has put down a rising share price to positive press, a growing brand in the US and high volatility from being closely held after getting a ‘please explain’ notice from the stock market regulator. The share market supervisor questioned a 42 percent gain in the Xero share price from Dec. 5 to …

New Zealand Oil & Gas, which has interests in the Tui and Kupe fields, said the recent slide in its share price may reflect its report this week that no significant gas or oil shows were found at its Matuku well near Taranaki. The stock fell further after a trading halt was lifted. The Wellington-based company’s share price fell 3.6 …