The Stockholm Stock Exchange opened higher on Thursday. Domestically, the news flow has been dominated by capital raises and interim reports. Silex is surging sharply following its initial public offering.

Abroad, the focus remains this morning on the situation in the Middle East following reports to CNN stating that Iran is expected to provide a response to the US during Thursday. This information follows news released on Wednesday regarding productive talks between the countries, which caused Brent crude prices to decline.

At around 09:21, the OMXS30 index was up 0.44 percent at 3,173.17. Adjusted for dividends, the OMXS30 index was up 0.44 percent. Shares worth approximately SEK 2.2 billion were traded on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.

The best performance among the exchange's major industrial sectors was seen in consumer staples, with an increase of 1.48 percent. At the other end of the scale, energy lagged at the bottom, down 1.48 percent.

Among the leading shares included in the OMXS30 index, Essity B rose 2.5 percent while Boliden was up 1.9 percent. The weakest performance came from Telia, down 1.5 percent, while Skanska B fell 1.3 percent.

Hygiene and health company Essity reiterated its financial targets at its capital markets day. This includes annual organic sales growth exceeding 3 percent and an EBITA margin excluding IAC exceeding 15 percent.

Essity is also initiating a strategic review of its Consumer Tissue business area's global operations. According to the company, the review may lead to a separation of the business, although no decision has been made. Consumer Tissue had sales of SEK 43.5 billion last year, corresponding to 31 percent of Essity's net sales.

Technology company Silex Microsystems' IPO was oversubscribed several times. The company gains 14,000 new shareholders. The stock begins trading on Nasdaq Stockholm today. The subscription price was pre-determined at SEK 81 per share. In initial trading, the price has surged to around SEK 118.

Mining company Lundin Gold reported record-high free cash flow and net profit for the first quarter, driven by high gold prices and stable operations at the Fruta del Norte mine. The company is simultaneously raising its quarterly dividend to USD 1.21 per share (1.15), consisting of a fixed dividend of USD 0.30 and a variable dividend of USD 0.91 per share. The stock rose 6.5 percent.

Sector peer Lundin Mining's adjusted EBITDA came in slightly lower than analysts' expectations, while revenue was in line with consensus. The company reiterated its outlook for the full year 2026 regarding production, cash costs, and investments. The stock rose 4.1 percent.

Construction company Skanska reported revenue and operating profit for the first quarter of 2026 that were lower than analysts' expectations. Skanska fell 1.4 percent.

Forest products company Stora Enso's adjusted operating profit in the first quarter came in significantly higher than consensus. The stock on the Stockholm Stock Exchange increased 3.5 percent.

Communication services company Sinch reported a better-than-expected report for the first quarter, regarding both revenue and earnings. CEO Laurinda Pang intends to leave her post. She will remain in the role until a successor has been appointed, however, no later than December 31. Sinch retreated 1.8 percent.

Credit management company Intrum is raising SEK 7.5 billion in new capital, divided into SEK 1.5 billion in a directed share issue and a rights issue of SEK 6 billion. Intrum also released quarterly figures showing that adjusted operating profit was better than expected. Intrum fell 19.4 percent.

Fiber communications company Hexatronic carried out a directed share issue providing gross proceeds of SEK 600 million. The issue was initially intended to be SEK 550 million but was increased by SEK 50 million due to being oversubscribed. The subscription price of SEK 38 represents a discount of 8.2 percent against the last closing price. Hexatronic fell 2.6 percent.

Outside the earnings storm, technology company Micro Systemation announced new financial targets for 2030. The company aims for revenue of around SEK 1 billion and an EBITA of at least SEK 200 million. The stock rose 5.1 percent.

Among this morning's analyst notes:

Citigroup downgrades Tele2 to neutral from buy. Tele2 fell 1.5 percent.

Citigroup downgrades Telia to neutral from buy. Telia retreated 1.5 percent.

Nordea upgrades Cloetta to buy from hold. Cloetta rose 4 percent.

HC Wainwright initiates coverage on Sobi with a buy rating and a target price of SEK 530. Sobi increased 0.9 percent.