A2 still in the dog-box; Genesis, Akl Airport shed dividend rights

The S&P/NZX 50 index slipped 36.77 points, or 0.4 percent, to 9,257.18. Within the index, 22 stocks fell, 20 gained and eight were unchanged. Turnover was $132.1 million.

A2 Milk led the market lower for a second day, falling 3.4 percent to $10.70, the lowest close in almost two months. The milk marketing firm has been out of favour with investors since new chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka disclosed a share sale, which was followed soon after by director Peter Hinton trimming his holding.

"People are always going to watch this stock like that very, very closely given how strong the run has been," said Mark Lister, head of private wealth research at Craigs Investment Partners. The stock, up 30 percent this year, has fallen almost 9 percent since Hrdlicka's sale was disclosed on Sept. 21, the same day A2 joined the FTSE Russell All World Index.

Genesis Energy declined 3.3 percent, or 8.5 cents, to $2.50 after shedding rights to an 8.6 cents per share dividend. Auckland Airport was down 1.9 percent, or 14 cents, to $7.18, giving up rights to an 11 cent dividend payment. Outside the NZX50, Colonial Motor Co fell 4.3 percent, or 38 cents, to $8.52, shedding rights to a 35 cent dividend.