Stock Markets March 2, 2026

Helsinki Stocks Retreat as Basic Materials, Technology and Industrials Drag Index Lower

OMX Helsinki 25 closes down 0.31% as Neste and Nokia rally amid broader market weakness

By Sofia Navarro
Helsinki Stocks Retreat as Basic Materials, Technology and Industrials Drag Index Lower

Finnish equities closed lower on Monday, with the OMX Helsinki 25 slipping 0.31% as losses in Basic Materials, Technology and Industrials weighed on the market. While a handful of large-cap stocks, including Neste and Nokia, posted notable gains, decliners outnumbered advancers by a wide margin. Commodity and currency moves were also pronounced, with Brent and US crude jumping and the dollar strengthening.

Key Points

  • OMX Helsinki 25 closed down 0.31% as losses in Basic Materials, Technology and Industrials weighed on the market.
  • Top gainers included Neste (HE:NESTE), Nokia (HE:NOKIA) and Fortum (HE:FORTUM); largest declines were seen in Qt Group (HE:QTCOM), Kemira (HE:KEMIRA) and Valmet (HE:VALMT).
  • Commodities and FX saw notable moves - Brent and US crude rose sharply, gold gained, EUR/USD fell and the US Dollar Index Futures strengthened.

Helsinki equities ended the trading session lower on Monday as declines in the Basic Materials, Technology and Industrials sectors pushed the benchmark down. At the close, the OMX Helsinki 25 was off 0.31%.

Among the index constituents, Neste Oyj (HE:NESTE) was the session's top performer, climbing 7.08% - a gain of 1.50 points - to finish at 22.68. Nokia Oyj (HE:NOKIA) also recorded a strong advance, adding 5.34% or 0.35 points to close at 6.83. Fortum Oyj (HE:FORTUM) rose 3.89%, an increase of 0.77 points, to end the day at 20.58.

On the other side of the ledger, Qt Group Oyj (HE:QTCOM) was the weakest stock in the index, tumbling 7.01% or 1.54 points to a close of 20.44. Kemira Oyj (HE:KEMIRA) declined 3.80% - 0.78 points - to finish at 19.72, while Valmet Oyj (HE:VALMT) fell 3.51% or 1.00 points to 27.47.

Market breadth favored the downside: 144 issues declined versus 36 that advanced, and 10 were unchanged on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.

Several stocks moved to notable price milestones during the session. Neste reached a 52-week high, advancing 7.08% or 1.50 to close at 22.68. Qt Group slipped to a 5-year low after the 7.01% drop to 20.44. Nokia moved up to a 5-year high, gaining 5.34% or 0.35 to end at 6.83.

Movements in commodity markets were significant and accompanied the equity action. Brent crude for May delivery jumped 6.30% or 4.59 to trade at $77.46 a barrel. US crude for April delivery rose 5.68% or 3.81, reaching $70.83 a barrel. In metals, the April Gold Futures contract increased 1.04% or 54.76 to trade at $5,302.66 a troy ounce.

Currency markets reflected a firmer dollar. EUR/USD moved lower by 1.05% to 1.17, while EUR/GBP was reported unchanged 0.35% to 0.87. The US Dollar Index Futures was stronger, up 1.02% at 98.56.


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Risks

  • Breadth risk: Decliners outnumbered advancers by 144 to 36, indicating broad market weakness that could pressure sector performance, particularly in Basic Materials, Technology and Industrials.
  • Commodity volatility: Large percentage gains in Brent and US crude introduce uncertainty for energy-linked sectors and companies sensitive to input costs.
  • Currency fluctuation: A stronger US dollar, as reflected in the US Dollar Index Futures and a lower EUR/USD, could impact exporters and importers differently and influence corporate results.

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