Finland's equity market ended Wednesday on a softer note, with the OMX Helsinki 25 falling 0.56% at the close in Helsinki. Selling pressure centered on Basic Materials, Oil & Gas and Utilities, which contributed to the index decline.
Market breadth favored the downside: falling issues outnumbered rising ones 117 to 62, while 17 stocks finished unchanged on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.
Among the top performers on the OMX Helsinki 25, Valmet Oyj (HE:VALMT) led gains, advancing 8.04% - an increase of 2.16 points - to close at 29.02. Bittium Oyj (HE:BITTI) also posted a strong session, rising 6.56% or 2.35 points to end at 38.15. Nokia Oyj (HE:NOKIA) traded higher as well, up 1.97% or 0.16 points to finish at 8.20.
Not all names rallied. The weakest performers included Nokian Renkaat Oyj (HE:TYRES), which fell 5.22% or 0.75 points to close at 13.62. UPM-Kymmene Oyj (HE:UPM) dropped 4.65% or 1.14 points to end at 23.38. KONE Oyj (HE:KNEBV) declined 3.79% or 2.14 points, finishing the session at 54.32.
Commodity markets showed notable moves during the trading day. Brent oil for January delivery rose 2.36% or 2.58 to $111.99 a barrel. In related futures, crude oil for December delivery climbed 3.06% or 3.06 to $102.96 a barrel. Precious metals were weaker, with the December Gold Futures contract down 0.47% or 19.20 to trade at $4,055.40 a troy ounce.
Currency and dollar benchmarks recorded modest changes. EUR/USD was unchanged 0.20% to 1.11, while EUR/GBP unchanged 0.13% to 0.84. The US Dollar Index Futures fell 0.07% to 102.09.
Summary of movers:
- Top gainers: Valmet Oyj +8.04% (29.02), Bittium Oyj +6.56% (38.15), Nokia Oyj +1.97% (8.20).
- Top decliners: Nokian Renkaat Oyj -5.22% (13.62), UPM-Kymmene Oyj -4.65% (23.38), KONE Oyj -3.79% (54.32).
- Market breadth: 117 decliners, 62 advancers, 17 unchanged.
The session highlighted divergence within the OMX Helsinki 25: several individual stocks posted double-digit percentage moves, but sector-level weakness kept the overall index in negative territory. Movements in oil and gold prices, together with currency changes, were notable features of the trading day.