Chorus posted the day's biggest gain, up 2.2 per cent at $5.15 on a volume of 1.5 million shares, well up on its 521,000 average. It yesterday reported record demand for fibre connections in the September quarter and noted increased data usage from the rugby live-streaming.
The market was generally weaker as investors navigate waxing and waning optimism as to whether US and Chinese trade officials will make any headway in this week's negotiations. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was up 0.2 per cent in afternoon trading, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 Index fell 0.2 per cent, and South Korea's Kospi 200 Index dropped 1.1 per cent.
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, which derives half its revenue in US dollars, fell 3 per cent to $16.90. Global logistics group Mainfreight declined 1 per cent to $38.50 and fruit exporter Scales Corp was down 0.8 per cent at $4.95.
Fletcher Building was the most traded stock on a volume of 7 million shares, more than five times its 1.4 million average. It fell 1.3 per cent to $4.74.
Of other stocks trading on volumes of more than a million shares, Mercury NZ rose 0.4 per cent to $5.50, Contact Energy fell 0.7 per cent to $8.97, Kiwi Property Group decreased 0.9 per cent to $1.65 and Goodman Property Trust increased to $2.24.
A2 Milk rose 0.8 per cent to $12.91, Meridian Energy was up 1.2 per cent at $5.275, Ryman Healthcare advanced 1.2 per cent to $13.15, and Port of Tauranga increased 1.1 per cent to $6.45.
Outside the benchmark index, Evolve Education fell 2.5 per cent to 11.6 cents after saying it will reduce board fees by 16.7 per cent from December. Managing director Chris Scott is still reviewing the entire business operations.
Augusta Capital rose 2 per cent to $1.52 after it said its partnership with Melbourne-based Ninety Four Feet has signed a binding agreement with Queenstown Lakes District Council for a seven-stage development over 10 years.
Colonial Motor Co fell 2.3 per cent, or 21 cents, to $8.87 after shedding rights to a 30-cent dividend.