New Zealand share prices were only slightly weaker in the first few minutes of trading, despite a sharp fall on the US sharemarket on Friday.
After 20 minutes, the NZX 50 Index had fallen by 19 points, or 0.6 per cent, to 3,284.17.
News that the US unemployment rate had remained unchanged at 9.1 per cent, or 14 million people, in August helped drive the Dow Jones industrial average down 253 points, or 2.2 per cent, to 11,240.26 on Friday night.
But the local market's response to the news was subdued.
Fletcher Building, the country's biggest listed stock by market capitalisation, fell 8c to $7.60, while Sky City Entertainment dropped 5c to $2.44. Contact Energy fell 4c to $5.30.
Much would depend on how the Australian share market responds to the US data when that market opens at 12 midday (NZT), portfolio manager Shane Solly said.
