Finland’s equity market closed in positive territory on Thursday, with the OMX Helsinki 25 up 0.42% at the end of trading in Helsinki. Sector strength in Healthcare, Financials and Consumer Services contributed to the overall rise.
Among the index constituents, Outokumpu Oyj (HE:OUT1V) was the top performer, advancing 2.56% - equal to a gain of 0.13 points - to finish at 5.01. Lumo Kodit Oyj (HE:LUMO) rose 2.30%, or 0.18 points, to close at 7.78. Packaging group Huhtamaki Oyj (HE:HUH1V) added 2.23%, gaining 0.58 points to end the session at 26.56.
Not all large caps moved higher. Nokia Oyj (HE:NOKIA) registered the largest decline on the OMX Helsinki 25, sliding 5.23% - a drop of 0.60 points - to finish at 10.79. Wartsila Oyj Abp (HE:WRT1V) ended down 1.97% or 0.64 points at 31.80. Hiab Oyj (HE:HIAB) decreased 1.21%, losing 0.65 points to close at 53.05.
Market breadth favored rising issues on the Helsinki exchange, with 112 stocks posting gains against 60 that fell. Nineteen names finished unchanged.
The commodity complex showed mixed performance during the session. Brent crude for September delivery slipped 1.12%, down $0.80 to $70.77 a barrel. U.S. crude for August delivery fell 1.21%, slipping $0.83 to $67.75 a barrel. Precious metals moved higher, with the August Gold Futures contract up 1.46% - an increase of $59.61 - to trade at $4,142.01 a troy ounce.
In currency markets, EUR/USD moved up 0.62% to 1.14, while EUR/GBP was essentially unchanged, shifting 0.02% to 0.86. The US Dollar Index Futures traded lower, down 0.64% at 100.51.
Thursday’s session displayed a divergence between sector-level gains that supported the index and notable declines in individual large-cap names. The broad advance in the number of rising stocks contrasted with weakness in several headline constituents.
Further trading days will reveal whether the observed sector momentum broadens or whether continued pressure on specific names persists.