Norway's benchmark OBX index closed 0.40% lower on Thursday, with losses concentrated in media, transport and diversified financials sectors.
Declining stocks outnumbered advancers by 152 to 101 on the Oslo Stock Exchange, with 22 issues unchanged. The OBX index, which tracks the 25 most liquid shares on the exchange, ended the session at 1,096.20 points.
Energy sector performance was mixed. Var Energi ASA led gains, rising 2.79% to 51.58, setting a new all-time high. Nel ASA added 2.63% to close at 2.15, while TGS NOPEC Geophysical Company ASA advanced 2.11% to 140.20. In contrast, Hoegh Autoliners ASA slumped 11.86% to 169.50, Orkla ASA fell 6.69% to 96.30, and Norsk Hydro ASA declined 2.90% to 88.26.
Commodities showed strength, with Brent crude for October delivery up 1.80% to $93.27 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate for October gaining 2.01% to $86.09. December gold futures rose 0.46% to $4,566.14 per troy ounce. The Norwegian krone strengthened slightly against the euro and dollar, with EUR/NOK up 0.27% at 10.92 and USD/NOK up 0.23% at 9.35.
