Oslo Børs Holding ASA 4th Quarter 2001

Oslo Børs Holding ASA achieved an operating income of MNOK 8.3 (-2.6) in the 4th quarter of 2001. Operating income for the year as a whole was MNOK 48.7 (15.3). Earnings after tax amounted to MNOK 49.8 (20.7) for the same period. The Board of Oslo Børs Holding ASA recommend to the General Meeting that an ordinary dividend of NOK 4 per share and an extraordinary dividend of NOK 14 per share to be paid.

The complete 4th quarter 2001 report: http://www.ose.no/investor_relations.

The improved results from 2000 to 2001 are primarily due to increased revenues, especially from sale of market information. Total income from this segment increased by 25 per cent in 2001 compared to the year before. The results are also affected by capitalisation of internal labour resources employed in investment projects, and by changes in the depreciation plan for the existing trading system.

The trading activity in the stock market in the 4th quarter - measured by number of transactions - was high in historical terms. The value of turnover on the other hand, showed a decrease compared with the same quarter in 2000, and with the first half of 2001.

The total stock turnover in 2001 was NOK 566 billion, 7 per cent lower than in 2000. Market capitalisation of the listed companies amounted to NOK 677 billion at the end of the year, representing an increase of 6 per cent from the previous year. During 2001 17 companies were listed - while 19 were delisted.