a2 Milk drives positive finish to the week

The S&P/NZX 50 Index rose 28.21 points, or 0.2%, to 12,711.84 today. Turnover was $181 million.

One of the index’s most watched stocks, a2 Milk Company, led the gains today with a 5.7% leap to $7.01 as the infant formula exporter slowly recovers from a four-year low.

The company has appointed a former Danone executive as chief marketing officer. This is a key role for the business which primarily creates demand for products manufactured by Synlait Milk.

Edith Bailey was previously responsible for Danone’s infant nutrition category in China, Southeast Asia, and Australasia.