Stock Markets February 18, 2026

OMX Helsinki 25 Climbs to Record Close as Telecoms, Utilities and Energy Lead Gains

Broad market advance lifts benchmark to a fresh all-time high with notable moves in Nokia, Wartsila and SSAB

By Nina Shah
OMX Helsinki 25 Climbs to Record Close as Telecoms, Utilities and Energy Lead Gains

Finland's equity benchmark, the OMX Helsinki 25, closed at a new record after an advance driven by Telecoms, Utilities and Oil & Gas names. Nokia, Wartsila and SSAB were among the strongest performers, while Kojamo, Kemira and Kesko lagged. Commodity markets showed notable strength, with Brent and U.S. crude up and gold futures advancing, while major FX pairs and the dollar index were little changed.

Key Points

  • OMX Helsinki 25 closed at a new all-time high, up 1.34% on the session.
  • Top advancing stocks included Nokia (HE:NOKIA), Wartsila (HE:WRT1V) - which hit a five-year high - and SSAB (HE:SSABBH); laggards included Kojamo (HE:KOJAMO), Kemira (HE:KEMIRA) and Kesko (HE:KESKOB).
  • Commodities strengthened with Brent up to $69.77, U.S. crude at $64.53 and April gold futures at 5,021.36 a troy ounce; FX moves were muted with EUR/USD and EUR/GBP largely unchanged and the dollar index futures at 97.43.

Finland's stock market ended Wednesday's session with gains, pushing the OMX Helsinki 25 to a fresh all-time closing high. Sector strength was concentrated in Telecoms, Utilities and Oil & Gas, which underpinned the rally across Helsinki-listed equities.

At the close in Helsinki the OMX Helsinki 25 rose 1.34% to record the new high. Market breadth favoured advancers: 95 stocks finished higher, 71 fell and 24 were unchanged on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.

Among individual stocks, Nokia Oyj (HE:NOKIA) led the index's top performers, climbing 4.29% - up 0.26 points to close at 6.27. Wartsila Oyj Abp (HE:WRT1V) added 3.60%, equal to a 1.27-point gain, finishing at 36.54; the share price reached a five-year high in the session. SSAB AB B (HE:SSABBH) also advanced, gaining 2.87% or 0.20 points to end at 7.16.

Not all names moved higher. Kojamo (HE:KOJAMO) was the session's weakest large-cap, slipping 2.34% or 0.23 points to close at 9.59. Kemira Oyj (HE:KEMIRA) declined 1.69%, down 0.34 points to 19.80, and Kesko Oyj (HE:KESKOB) fell 1.41% or 0.30 points to 21.02.

Energy commodities registered strong gains alongside the Helsinki advance. Brent oil for April delivery rose 3.49%, up 2.35 to $69.77 a barrel. U.S. crude for April delivery increased 3.65%, climbing 2.27 to $64.53 a barrel. Precious metals also strengthened, with the April Gold Futures contract advancing 2.35% - a move of 115.46 points - to trade at 5,021.36 a troy ounce.

Currency markets showed limited movement during the session. EUR/USD was unchanged 0.36% to 1.18, while EUR/GBP was unchanged 0.13% to 0.87. The US Dollar Index Futures rose 0.38% and was at 97.43.


Market context and implications

The session's gains were broadly distributed but concentrated in telecom, utility and energy names, which helped drive the benchmark to a record close. Wartsila's move to a five-year high highlights sector-specific strength within industrials and energy-related equipment makers. Commodity price increases - in both crude benchmarks and gold futures - coincided with the equity rally.

This report relies solely on observed market moves and closing prices from the session; it does not seek to attribute causes beyond the price and volume outcomes recorded at the close.

Risks

  • Market breadth shows both winners and laggards - 95 rising versus 71 falling - indicating sector divergence that could create uneven performance across industrials, utilities and consumer-facing stocks.
  • Commodity price volatility - demonstrated by double-digit percentage moves in Brent, U.S. crude and gold futures in the session - could influence energy and materials sector earnings and capital allocation.
  • Currency and dollar moves were limited but could change; shifts in EUR/USD or the dollar index could affect exporters and importers listed on the Helsinki exchange.

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