MT Newswires -ShutterstockNew Zealand shares ended higher on Monday amid hopes of renewed peace talks between the US and Iran. The S&P/NZX 50 Index rose 0.55% or 75.65 points to close at 13,774.93. Also, a drop in diesel prices helped keep construction cost growth in check in New Zealand in July, QV said in a report. In corporate news, Briscoe Group (ASX:BGP, NZE:BGP) reported fiscal second-quarter sales of NZ$193.4 million, up slightly from NZ$192.9 million a year earlier and representing a third consecutive quarter of positive sales growth. Westpac Banking (ASX:WBC, NZE:WBC) completed the sale of the RAMS home loan portfolio, around AU$15.4 billion at completion, to a consortium consisting of Pepper Money (ASX:PPM), credit funds and accounts managed by KKR, and PIMCO managed funds.