** Shares of Hallenstein Glasson HLG.NZ rise as much as 3.6% to NZ$9.61, set for its strongest session in nearly two weeks
** Clothing retailer posts 13.8% rise in group sales for first 18 weeks of FY26
** Co says result driven by Australian market and ongoing contribution from stores opened or increased in size and refurbished in FY25
** However, co expects trading conditions to remain challenging in New Zealand with costs-of-living pressures impacting discretionary spend
** Stock up 15.8% YTD, including session's moves
(Reporting by Aamir Sheik Khalid in Bengaluru)
((Aamir.SheikKhalid@thomsonreuters.com))