Oslo Brs Holding ASA recorded post-tax profit of NOK 20.5 (10.9) million in the fourth quarter of 2004. Post-tax profit for the full year totalled NOK 74.7 (53.3) million.
The very high level of activity in the market continued in the fourth quarter, and the overall volume of trading recorded for the quarter was second only to the record level achieved in the first quarter of 2004, according to a Oslo Brs news flash.
Shares and primary capital certificates worth NOK 272 (160) billion changed hands in the fourth quarter. The number of transactions in the equity market in the fourth quarter totalled approximately 970,000 (686,000). At the end of the fourth quarter 861 (826) bonds and other interest bearing securities were quoted. Trading in the derivatives market again showed a positive trend compared with the previous year. Around 1,328,000 (1,089,000) contracts were traded in the fourth quarter. This gives a daily average of approx 21,200 (15,300) contracts.
The number of terminals with access to market data from Oslo Brs was somewhat higher in the fourth quarter than in the first three quarters of 2004. Revenues from sales of market data in 2004 were again affected by an increase in the number of distributors of real time information and of terminals with access to fundamental data in the period.
Revenues totalled NOK 70.4 (62.2) million in the fourth quarter. Revenues for the full year 2004 totalled NOK 268.7 (228.5) million. Most revenue items and revenue areas showed an increase compared with the same period last year. Revenues from trading, listing and prospectus control and admission to listing fees showed the largest increase.
Fourth quarter operating expenses totalled NOK 45.2 (46.2) million. Oslo Brs expects no significant change in total operating costs for 2005 compared to 2004.