Wellington, Jan 15 NZPA - The New Zealand sharemarket eased today mostly due to profit-taking in leading shares. The downward move gained momentum as the session progressed and also reflected weakness in the Australian sharemarket.

Wellington, Jan 15 NZPA - Shares in the New Zealand Refining Co rose 3 percent in early trading as they continued to edge away from a 4-1/2-year low touched earlier this month. Shares in the oil refiner were up 11c to 384 after dropping as low 355 on January 6.

Wellington, Aug 13 NZPA - Fletcher Building shares continued their ascent in early trading, after the company reported better than expected results yesterday.