NZ shares get further lift on improving offshore sentiment

The S&P/NZX 50 index increased 15.11 points, or 0.2 percent, to 8,821.15. Within the index, 26 stocks gained, 15 fell and nine were unchanged. Turnover was low at $76.6 million.

Sentiment got a lift after US stocks rose for a second day, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average lifting 0.4 percent, the S&P 500 adding 0.7 percent and the Nasdaq Composite gaining 1.3 percent. US officials met their Chinese counterparts in Beijing on Monday for the first face-to-face talks since President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed in December to a 90-day truce. Markets are hopeful of a positive outcome.

"The market is firmer. It's another reasonable day after Wall Street had another reasonable night last night," said Grant Williamson at Hamilton Hindin Greene. He noted, however, that trading is tepid as many market participants are still on holiday.

"There is a lack of news. There is still not a lot of activity. Not all investors or institutions are really back in the market yet and it could remain this way for the rest of the week," he said.