NZ shares mixed as global investors spooked by Amazon, Google results

The S&P/NZX 50 index edged up 0.17 of a point, or 0.002 percent, to 8,568.40, snapping a five-day decline. Within the index, 21 stocks gained, 20 fell and nine were unchanged. Turnover was $121.7 million.

The local bourse teetered between positive and negative territory after results from Amazon and Google missed expectations, casting a pall across Asian equity markets. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index was down 0.5 percent in afternoon trading, while China's Shanghai Composite index fell 0.6 percent.

Matt Goodson, managing director at Salt Funds Management, said intraday volatility was very high through the session.

"There's not much bid tone at all and buyers are being very nervous," Goodson said.