NZ shares led higher by exporters Kathmandu, A2 in light trading

The S&P/NZX 50 Index increased 12.49 points, or 0.1 percent, to 10,544.43. Within the index, 27 stocks rose, 18 fell, and five were unchanged. Turnover was $84.7 million, with just three stocks trading on volumes of more than a million shares.

Stocks across Asia were largely weaker as investors continue to worry over the trade tensions between the US and China, which may not have subsided as many hoped after the G20 leaders' meeting. That weighed more heavily on the greenback, with the kiwi dollar ending the day at 66.78 US cents, largely unchanged from the day earlier.

Exporters led the market higher. Outdoor equipment retailer Kathmandu was up 3.3 percent at $2.17 on a volume of just 78,000 shares, about half its 90-day average of 158,000. A2 rose 2.5 percent to $15.07 on 630,000 shares, and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare increased 1.3 percent to $16.20.

Grant Davies, an investment advisor at Hamilton Hindin Greene, said investors are waiting for earnings season in August for a steer on where companies with June and December balance dates are tracking. As management accounts come in, boards will have to disclose whether they were in line with guidance.