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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 Børs 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 Børs expects no significant change in total operating costs for 2005 compared to 2004.
The Board of Directors intends to propose to the Annual General Meeting that the company should distribute an ordinary dividend of NOK 14 per share and an extraordinary dividend of NOK 6 per share. These proposals will be considered by the Annual General Meeting due to be held on 9 May 2005.
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