Norway's benchmark stocks ended the trading day in negative territory on Thursday, with sector weaknesses in Media, Transport and Diversified Financials contributing to the downward pressure on the Oslo OBX, which closed down 0.12%.
Top and bottom movers
On the Oslo OBX, Nordic Semiconductor ASA (OL:NOD) was the top performer, rising 2.23% - a gain of 3.90 points - to finish at 178.50. The stock reached a three-year high during the session. SalMar ASA (OL:SALM) also advanced, adding 2.21% or 12.00 points to close at 555.50, while TGS NOPEC Geophysical Company ASA (OL:TGS) gained 2.06% or 2.60 points to end at 129.00.
At the other end of the spectrum, Nel ASA (OL:NEL) led declines, tumbling 7.98% or 0.19 points to settle at 2.19. Kongsberg Gruppen ASA (OL:KOG) fell 5.29% - down 21.00 points - to 376.10, and Cmb.Tech NV (OL:CMBT) dropped 2.71% or 3.40 points to finish at 122.00.
Market breadth and context
Declining issues outnumbered advancing ones on the Oslo Stock Exchange, with 142 stocks down versus 124 rising; 17 issues ended unchanged. The session was marked by mixed sector performance, where gains in certain industrials and energy-related names were not sufficient to offset losses across media, transport and diversified financials.
Commodities and currencies
Commodity markets moved notably alongside equities. Crude oil for May delivery rose 2.45% - up 2.24 - to $93.53 a barrel. Brent futures for June delivery climbed 3.24% or 3.08 to $98.01 a barrel. Precious metals saw the June Gold Futures contract decline 0.26% or 12.49 to trade at $4,811.11 a troy ounce.
In currencies, the euro traded weaker versus the krone, with EUR/NOK down 0.18% at 11.05. USD/NOK was essentially unchanged, moving 0.05% to 9.39. The US Dollar Index Futures was higher, up 0.24% at 98.09.
Key takeaways
- Oslo OBX closed down 0.12% amid sector-specific selling pressure in Media, Transport and Diversified Financials.
- Nordic Semiconductor reached a three-year high, while Nel and Kongsberg were among the largest decliners.
- Oil and Brent futures rose notably, while gold retreated; EUR/NOK eased and USD/NOK was largely unchanged.