16.12.2010

It was another slightly positive day in the Nordic markers. Spain sold 2.4 billion Euros worth of 10 and 15-year debt. This missed the already reduced target of 3 billion as news of a potential credit rating downgrade from Moody’s yesterday weakened investor demand. After the markets had closed, EU leaders agreed to set up a permanent rescue fund for eurozone countries in crisis. This requires changing the Lissabon Treaty.

Food ingredients, enzymes and bio-based solutions giant Danisco released its 2010-2011 Q2 results. The company raised guidance for the fiscal year to around 15.3 billion DKK in sales and an EBIT margin of around 14.5% from around 15 billion and 15% respectively. Danisco was up strongly on the news.

The new joint venture Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Oy, created on 10.12.2010 has received a 200 million USD contract from Sovcomflot for two Icebreaking Supply Vessels. Nokia announced it has filed more patent claims against Apple in UK High Court. The action follows a host of earlier filings made in the United States, which were countered by its own infringement claims toward Nokia by Apple.

Panostaja group posted an operating loss of -1.6 million Euro for the fiscal year 1 NOV. 2009 -- 31 OCT. 2010. For the new fiscal year the company expects significant improvement in all business areas and a clearly positive operating result. Panostaja acquired a printing services provider Suomen Graafiset Palvelut today. Takoma, which is a part of Panostaja’s portfolio of companies but also a listed company in its own right, was in the red around the same 1.6 million. Takoma also expects drastic improvement for the new fiscal year and is also still clearly looking for acquisition targets. The news above considering the new order for Helsinki shipyard should also have an eventual trickledown effect for subcontractors like Takoma.

The final piece of Ahlstrom’s dust filtration unit was quickly divested today. The new owner for operations in Groesbeck and Mexia, Texas is Polyester Fibers, which is owned by private investment firm Empire Investment Holdings. In a best case scenario Ahlstrom will regain a quarter of what the unit was valued in its balance sheet. Packaging paper & sustainable packaging solutions firm Billerud’s CEO told Six News that production in Q4 is continuing without shutdowns even during Christmas holidays. The company’s order situation is very strong.

Seawell announced the acquisition of Gray Wireline for 157.5 million USD from Centre Partners. Gray Wireline is the largest independent cased hole wireline player in the United States. Sevan Marine tried to get a positive message across after all the news about the tough financial situation. The company is excited about the outlook offshore Brazil and feels that the business situation in Gulf of Mexico will return to normal soon as well.

Parken Sport & Entertainment is now back to where it started from before the Abramovich rumours. There were hints in Newspaper Børsen that alleged contacts that were supposed to have happened between Abramovich family representatives and major owner of Parken may have unreliable source.

Aker Seafoods sold all shares in its Spanish subsidiary Pesquera Ancora to UK Fisheries Limited. UK Fisheries will be paying 18.5 million Euro in cash plus the value of current working capital in Pesquera Ancora. Aker Seafoods expects a gain of 20 to 25 million NOK from the sale.

Autoliv raises its quarterly dividend to shareholders. H & M was down sharply on analysts downgrades and Ericsson up sharply on upgrades. Konecranes will supply 32 container handling machine to Kuwait Ports Authority. Ratos sold its part in Superfos Industries to RPC group for around 64 million Euro. The company will book a loss of around 70 million SEK for the transaction. Scana Industrier announced a contract from Shell Offshore Inc. for Olympus project.