Stock Markets March 31, 2026

Helsinki benchmark edges up as healthcare, consumer services and materials lead gains

OMX Helsinki 25 closes higher by 0.32% amid mixed commodity and currency moves

By Nina Shah
Helsinki benchmark edges up as healthcare, consumer services and materials lead gains

Finnish equities finished higher on Tuesday, with the OMX Helsinki 25 gaining 0.32% at the close. Strength in Healthcare, Consumer Services and Basic Materials helped offset losses in several blue-chip names. Market breadth favored advancers, while energy, precious metals and currency markets displayed divergent moves.

Key Points

  • OMX Helsinki 25 closed up 0.32%, led by gains in Healthcare, Consumer Services and Basic Materials sectors.
  • Top individual performers included SSAB AB B (HE:SSABBH), UPM-Kymmene Oyj (HE:UPM) and Metso Oyj (HE:METSO); notable declines included Kemira Oyj (HE:KEMIRA), Nokia Oyj (HE:NOKIA) and Konecranes ABP (HE:KCRA).
  • Commodities and currencies were mixed: Brent eased to $107.28 while Crude for May rose to $104.64; June gold futures climbed to $4,639.51; EUR/USD and the US Dollar Index Futures moved in opposite directions.

Stocks in Finland closed modestly higher on Tuesday, driven by sector-level advances in Healthcare, Consumer Services and Basic Materials. At the close in Helsinki, the OMX Helsinki 25 recorded a 0.32% increase.

The session's strongest performers on the OMX Helsinki 25 included SSAB AB B (HE:SSABBH), which rose 2.32% or 0.15 points to finish at 6.70. UPM-Kymmene Oyj (HE:UPM) added 2.29% or 0.60 points to close at 26.80, while Metso Oyj (HE:METSO) advanced 2.08% or 0.30 points to end the day at 14.74.

Not all names participated in the rally. The largest decliner was Kemira Oyj (HE:KEMIRA), down 4.22% or 0.83 points to close at 18.84. Nokia Oyj (HE:NOKIA) slipped 2.07% or 0.14 points to 6.80, and Konecranes ABP (HE:KCRA) fell 1.20% or 0.34 points to finish at 27.94.

Market breadth on the Helsinki Stock Exchange favored rising issues, with 100 stocks up, 72 down and 15 unchanged by the close.

Commodity markets showed mixed signals during the session. Brent oil for June delivery eased 0.10% or 0.11 to $107.28 a barrel, while Crude oil for May delivery climbed 1.71% or 1.76 to $104.64 a barrel. In metals, the June Gold Futures contract posted a gain of 1.80% or 82.01 to trade at $4,639.51 a troy ounce.

Foreign exchange and dollar benchmarks moved alongside the markets. EUR/USD was up 0.48% to 1.15, while EUR/GBP unchanged 0.45% to 0.87. The US Dollar Index Futures was down 0.33% at 100.02.

Investors navigating the Helsinki market on Tuesday saw selective strength across cyclical and defensive sectors, while individual stock performance varied sharply. The session underscored a combination of sector-led advances and standalone declines among heavyweight constituents.


Market close snapshot

  • OMX Helsinki 25: +0.32% at close
  • Top gainers: SSAB AB B (HE:SSABBH), UPM-Kymmene Oyj (HE:UPM), Metso Oyj (HE:METSO)
  • Top decliners: Kemira Oyj (HE:KEMIRA), Nokia Oyj (HE:NOKIA), Konecranes ABP (HE:KCRA)
  • Breadth: 100 advancers, 72 decliners, 15 unchanged
  • Key commodities and FX: Brent $107.28, Crude (May) $104.64, Gold (June) $4,639.51; EUR/USD 1.15; USD Index Futures 100.02

Risks

  • Volatility in commodity prices is visible - Brent, crude and gold all showed divergent moves that could influence materials and industrial sectors.
  • Currency fluctuations were present - movements in EUR/USD, EUR/GBP and the US Dollar Index Futures introduce exchange-rate uncertainty for exporters and importers.
  • Company-specific downside is apparent - several large-cap names including Kemira, Nokia and Konecranes recorded notable declines that could affect sector performance.

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