On the basis of trading in the shares and equity certificates of stock exchange listed companies over the last six months, Oslo Børs has carried out a routine 6-monthly review of the allocation of listed companies to liquidity categories. The new allocations will come into effect from Friday 17 June 2011.
The allocations to liquidity categories provide an indication of how frequently the various shares and equity certificates are traded, which is very useful information for investors when making their investment decisions.
The rebalancing has caused the following changes in the OBX category, which is based on the 25 most liquid shares on Oslo Børs:
- Removed from the category: Sevan Marine
- Added to the category: Archer and DNO International
The number of companies in the OB Match category has been increased from 116 to 128 and the OB Standard category is reduced from 45 to 34 companies. The increase in The OB Match category can be explained by more companies having entered into liquidity provider agreements in the last six months and thus become eligible for the OB Match category. The OB Equity Certificates category remains unchanged from the last review.
There have been four new listings in the period from 1 December 2010 to and including 31 May 2011. In addition one company has transferred its listing from Oslo Axess to Oslo Børs. A total of six companies were delisted from Oslo Børs over this period.
As of 17 June 2011, a total of 204 shares and equity certificates are listed on Oslo Børs.
The number of shares/equity certificates in the various Oslo Børs liquidity categories is as follows (figures for the previous period in brackets):
- OBX 25 (25)
- OB Match 124 (116)
- OB Standard 34 (45)
- OB Equity Certificates 21 (21)
About the liquidity categories:
The OBX category is based on the 25 most liquid shares on Oslo Børs. Shares with a minimum of 10 trades per day on average qualify for inclusion in the OB Match category. The OB Match category also includes companies that have entered into liquidity provider arrangements for their shares where these arrangements are approved by Oslo Børs. As of 15 June 2011, 42 companies have such arrangements, an increase compared with the previous review in December.
Shares with fewer than 10 trades per day on average are allocated to the OB Standard category. Savings banks with issues of listed equity certificates make up a separate category.