Finland's stock market closed in negative territory on Wednesday, with the OMX Helsinki 25 losing 0.38% by the end of trading in Helsinki. Pressure from the Technology, Oil & Gas and Telecoms sectors left more stocks falling than rising over the session.
Top and bottom movers
Among the 25 constituents, the session's strongest performer was Orion Oyj B (HE:ORNBV), which rose 1.38% - a gain of 1.10 points - to finish at 80.55. Wartsila Oyj Abp (HE:WRT1V) added 0.89%, or 0.25 points, to close at 28.30, while Elisa Oyj (HE:ELISA) ended the day up 0.84%, or 0.30 points, at 35.82.
On the downside, Bittium Oyj (HE:BITTI) recorded the steepest drop among the group, sliding 3.75% - down 1.40 points - to 35.90 at the close. Hiab Oyj (HE:HIAB) fell 3.71%, or 2.30 points, to end at 59.75, and Tieto Oyj (HE:TIETO) declined 1.86%, or 0.37 points, to 19.52.
Market breadth and participation
Decliners outnumbered advancers on the Helsinki Stock Exchange by 104 to 70, with 19 stocks finishing unchanged. The broader pattern of more falling names than rising ones aligned with the modest drop in the benchmark index.
Commodities and currencies
Commodity markets were mixed during the session. Brent oil for November delivery was up 0.85%, or 0.80, to $95.45 a barrel. U.S. crude for October delivery rose 0.44%, or 0.40, to $90.62 a barrel. Precious metals moved higher as the December Gold Futures contract increased 0.53%, or 23.26, to trade at $4,419.66 a troy ounce.
In foreign exchange trading, EUR/USD was unchanged at 1.16 (0.00%), while EUR/GBP was reported as unchanged 0.09% to 0.86. The US Dollar Index Futures finished down 0.13% at 99.51.
This session showed a modest retreat in Finland's equity benchmark alongside modest gains in selected commodities and small moves in major currency pairs. The market breadth figures underline that losses were more widespread than gains during the trading day.