NZ shares fall with blue chips A2, Ryman; F&P Healthcare gains

The S&P/NZX 50 index decreased 39.01 points, or 0.4 percent, to 8,662.37. Within the index, 24 stocks fell, 18 gained and eight were unchanged. Turnover was $85.7 million, quieter than usual.

Trading was relatively subdued after the Thanksgiving holiday-shortened week in the US left markets slightly weaker on Friday. Stock markets across Asia were mixed today, although New Zealand moved lower with Australia, where the ASX 200 index was down 0.9 percent in afternoon trading.

Blue-chip stocks led the market lower, with A2 Milk down 3.1 percent to $10.20 on less than half its average volume. The milk marketing firm is the most volatile stock on the NZX 50 on a close-to-close basis, with much of its activity driven out of Australia. Ryman led the market lower, down 3.9 percent to $11.03 on smaller volumes than usual. Fletcher fell 0.6 percent to $4.66 on average volume of 1.5 million.

"We've started the week on a weaker note," said Grant Williamson, a director at Hamilton Hindin Greene. "Most of the blue-chips are a little bit weaker - particularly A2, although that's a pretty volatile company."