Oslo Børs Holding ASA 4th quarter 2002

Oslo Børs Holding ASA achieved a pre tax profit of NOKm 12,5 (11,5) in the 4th quarter of 2002. Pre tax profit for the year as a whole was NOKm 61,2 (61,3). Earnings after tax amounted to MNOK 43.0 (49.7) for the same period. The Board of Oslo Børs Holding ASA recommend to the General Meeting that an dividend of NOK 6.00 per share to be paid.

Oslo Børs continues to be affected by the global downturn in the securities markets. However, the Benchmark Index and trading activity were in positive territory in the 4th quarter.

Shares worth NOK 108 (126) billion changed hands in the equity market in the 4th quarter compared with NOK 97 billion in the 3rd quarter. Transaction numbers rose from about 454,000 in the 3rd quarter to about 550,000 (769,000) in the 4th quarter. Sluggish activity in the equity market also brought reduced volumes and impaired profits in the derivative market, but higher activity in the fixed income market.

Sales of financial market data are measured in the number of terminals with access to market data from Oslo Børs. Clients of information distributors such as Reuters, Bloomberg etc., purchase price and index information from various market places. The number of terminals carrying market data from Oslo Børs fell by 9 per cent in 2002.

Oslo Børs acquired eight new remote members (foreign brokerage houses) in 2002 and two local members. This represents an increase in number of members of approx. 30 per cent during 2002. The increase in remote members is largely a direct consequence of the NOREX collaboration whose common trading system and rules make it easier for members of one NOREX stock exchange to become members of other NOREX exchanges. The collaboration boosts foreigners' ability to trade on Oslo Børs and promotes trading and liquidity in Oslo-Børs-listed shares. At year-end members totalled 43, of which 14 were remote.