Press releases

Oslo Børs VPS Holding reports a profit of NOK 49.5 million for the first quarter of 2012 (NOK 59.6 million). Operating revenues in the first quarter was NOK 221.8 million (NOK 243.0 million) and operating profit was NOK 63.2 million (NOK 76.8 million).

Verdipapirsentralen ASA (VPS) takes a positive view of participation in Target2-Securities (T2S), which is the European Central Bank’s initiative to harmonise and integrate securities settlement in Europe. VPS has decided to work towards joining T2S in the second phase of the project (2018/2019).

Oslo Børs VPS Holding reports a profit of NOK 44 million for the fourth quarter of 2011 (NOK 60 million). The group reports a profit for the year as a whole of NOK 233 million (NOK 277 million). The Board of Directors of Oslo Børs VPS Holding ASA propose a dividend of NOK 6.00 per share for 2011.

Oslo Børs VPS Holding ASA applied in June 2011 to the Ministry of Finance for approval to list the company’s shares on Oslo Børs or Oslo Axess. The Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway has now advised the Ministry to refuse the application for approval of the listing.

Oslo Børs VPS Holding reports a profit of NOK 60 million for the third quarter of 2011 (NOK 55 million). Profit for the first nine months of 2011 totalled NOK 189 million (NOK 218 million).

John-Arne Haugerud (54) has today started as Chief Executive Officer of VPS, the Norwegian Central Securities Depository. John-Arne Haugerud comes from the position as deputy CEO of EDB ErgoGroup ASA.

Oslo Børs VPS Holding reports a profit of NOK 69.5 million for the second quarter of 2011 (NOK 95.8 million). Operating revenues in the first quarter was NOK 237.1 million (NOK 253.9 million) and operating profit was NOK 90.5 million (NOK 126.1 million).

The Board of Directors of Oslo Børs VPS Holding ASA has decided to start work on a stock exchange listing of the company's shares. The decision to proceed with a listing will be put before shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting that will be held before the end of 2011. Admission of the company's shares to listing on Oslo Børs or Oslo Axess would require approval by the Ministry of Finance. An application for such approval will be submitted in the near future.

The Annual General Meeting of Oslo Børs VPS Holding ASA held on Monday 23 May approved the annual report and accounts for 2010. The meeting resolved to pay a dividend of NOK 8 per share.

Oslo Børs VPS Holding reports a profit of NOK 59.6 million for the first quarter of 2011 (NOK 67.2 million). Operating revenues in the first quarter was NOK 243.0 million (NOK 246.1 million) and operating profit was NOK 76.8 million (NOK 88.3 million).

Oslo Børs VPS Holding reports a profit of NOK 60 million for the fourth quarter of 2010 (NOK -77 million). The loss reported for the fourth quarter of 2009 reflects write-downs of NOK 153 million. The group reports a profit for the year as a whole of NOK 277 million (NOK -910 million). The Board of Directors of Oslo Børs VPS Holding ASA propose a dividend of NOK 8.00 per share for 2010.

Oslo Børs VPS Holding reports a profit of NOK 54.5 million for the third quarter of 2010 (NOK -948.1 million). Earnings for the third quarter of 2009 are affected by write-downs of NOK 1,010 million (after tax). Profit for the third quarter of 2010 is NOK 8 million lower than the profit reported for the third quarter of 2009 before write-downs (NOK 62 million). The decline in profit is principally due to lower revenue.

Oslo Børs VPS Holding reports a profit of NOK 95.8 million for the second quarter of 2010 (NOK 72.4 million). Operating revenue: NOK 253.9 million (236.1). The year-on-year improvement reflects higher operating revenue and lower costs.

Oslo Børs VPS / Oslo Clearing successfully launched a central counterparty (CCP) for clearing of trades in five selected shares listed on Oslo Børs on Friday. This represents a “soft launch” of a CCP for equities prior to the launch of CCP clearing for all equities, equity certificates and ETFs traded on Oslo Børs and Oslo Axess. This is planned to take place on 18 June.

This press release is only available in Norwegian.

Verdipapirsentralen (VPS) og Capgemini er kommet til enighet om fortsatt samarbeid etter at utviklingsprosjektet for et nytt fondssystem ble stanset tidligere i år.

The Annual General Meeting of Oslo Børs VPS Holding ASA held on Tuesday 25 May approved the annual report and accounts for 2009. The meeting resolved to pay a dividend of NOK 8 per share.

We refer to earlier announcements on the establishment of a central counterparty (CCP) for equities, equity certificates and ETFs. Oslo Clearing and Oslo Børs have today decided to defer the launch date from 12 May to 4 June 2010.

Oslo Børs VPS Holding reports a profit of NOK 67.2 million (NOK 42.2 million) for the first quarter of 2010. The group had operating revenues of NOK 246.1 million (NOK 231.1 million) in the quarter. The year-on-year improvement reflects higher operating revenue and lower costs.

We refer to the announcement dated 22 April regarding approval for Oslo Clearing for the establishment of a CCP for equities. The conditions in the approval are clarified.

The Norwegian Ministry of Finance has in letter dated 21 April 2010 granted approval for Oslo Clearing’s establishment of central counterparty for equities. There are stipulated some conditions in the approval. Oslo Clearing ASA and Oslo Børs ASA are working on clarifying these conditions and the possible effects on the establishment of the CCP.

Oslo Børs VPS Holding reports a loss of NOK 77 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 (loss of NOK 307 million). The year-on-year improvement is due largely to a lower level of write-downs of goodwill and IT systems. While market activity was lower than in the fourth quarter of 2008, this was offset by reductions in costs. The Board of Directors of Oslo Børs VPS Holding ASA propose a dividend of NOK 8.00 per share for 2009.

Verdipapirsentralen ASA (VPS) has been involved since spring 2008 with the development of a new mutual funds system, with the objective of renewing the services it offers for fund management companies and their distributors. The Board of Directors of VPS has now decided to repudiate the contractual relationship with the supplier Capgemini and halt this project.

The Oslo Børs VPS group is committed to competitive pricing for its customers throughout the entire securities value chain. When central counterparty (CCP) clearing for equities trading is introduced in the Norwegian market next year, broking firms will see a significant drop in their clearing and settlement costs thanks to new competitive pricing model from Oslo Clearing and lower fees from VPS.

Oslo Børs VPS Holding reports a loss of NOK 948 million for the third quarter of 2009 (profit of NOK 106 million). The main reason for the reduction in result from the third quarter of 2008 is write-downs of goodwill and IT systems totalling NOK 1,018 million. Restructuring costs, lower level of market activity and a decline in revenue from trading and settlement fees also contribute to lower revenues and earnings than in the same quarter of 2008.

VPS is to reduce the fee charged for settlement of exchange trades in the Norwegian market by approximately 22% with effect from 1 November. The fee for such transactions will be reduced from NOK 3.20 to NOK 2.50.

London / Oslo, 22 October 2009

LCH.Clearnet Limited and Oslo Clearing ASA together with Oslo Børs ASA have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to launch clearing for the Oslo Børs market, and, in addition, to explore potential opportunities for future collaboration.

Oslo Børs VPS Holding reports earnings of NOK 72.4 million for the second quarter of 2009 (NOK 130 million). Earnings for the first six months of 2009 totalled NOK 114.6 (NOK 245.8 million). Both revenue and earnings were lower than in the same quarter of 2008 due to the lower level of market activity and a decline in revenue from trading and settlement fees.

Oslo Børs ASA has received a notice of proceedings dated 9 July from Periscopus AS containing a claim that the Stock Exchange Appeals Committee’s resolution 1/2009, in which Oslo Børs's approval of a mandatory offer from Erik Must AS for the shares in Gyldendal ASA dated 18 December 2008 was upheld, be declared void. In addition, it is requested Oslo Børs ASA and Erik Must AS be held jointly and severally liable for the amount that Periscopus AS claims to have lost as a result of this offer being accepted, calculated at NOK 37,182,052.62 plus interest and expenses.

The Appeals Selection Committee of the Supreme Court has considered Seadrill’s appeal against the ruling of 9 March 2009 by the Borgarting Court of Appeal on the annulment action brought by Seadrill Limited against Oslo Børs in connection with the decision of the Stock Exchange Appeals Committee in respect of Seadrill’s duty to make a mandatory offer for Eastern Drilling ASA. The Appeals Selection Committee has refused to grant Seadrill leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.

The Board of Directors of Verdipapirsentralen (VPS) has appointed Ole-Wilhelm Meyer (53) as the new Chief Executive Officer. Ole-Wilhelm Meyer is currently the CEO of SpareBank 1 Livsforsikring AS. He will take up his appointment on 14 September 2009.

The Annual General Meeting of Oslo Børs VPS Holding ASA held on Tuesday 26 May approved the annual report and accounts for 2008. The meeting resolved to pay a dividend of NOK 5 per share. Two new board members were elected.

Oslo Børs VPS Holding reports a profit of NOK 42.2 million (NOK 115.9 million) for the first quarter of 2009. The group had operating revenues of NOK 231.1 million (NOK 293.8 million) in the quarter. The decrease in revenues and profit is a result of reduced market activity and price reductions that came into effect in 2008.

On Monday 9 March 2009, the Borgarting Court of Appeal issued its ruling on the annulment action brought by Seadrill Limited against Oslo Børs in connection with the decision of the Stock Exchange Appeals Committee in respect of Seadrill’s duty to make a mandatory offer for Eastern Drilling ASA. Seadrill’s appeal did not succeed. Seadrill has now filed an appeal to The Supreme Court of Norway.

In order to encourage greater trading and liquidity for the exchange’s marketplaces, Oslo Børs announces significant reductions in the fees charged for trading in shares listed on Oslo Børs and Oslo Axess. In addition, Oslo Børs is changing its pricing model to offer a greater range of choices and to better meet the differing needs of customers.

Oslo Børs and London Stock Exchange Group have entered into a strategic partnership agreement to co-operate across their equities, fixed income and derivatives markets with a view to improving market efficiency and liquidity. As part of the agreement, London Stock Exchange Group will provide Oslo Bors with TradElect for its equities and fixed income markets and the SOLA® trading platform, under licence from TMX Group, for its derivatives markets.

Oslo Børs VPS is committed to pricing that is competitive and actively encourages greater use of the group's marketplaces and settlement services. Oslo Børs VPS Holding ASA stated in the 4th quarter 2008 report that the group will again in 2009 consider changes in certain fees/prices to the benefit of its customers. Oslo Børs will within the end of March 2009 publish reduced fees for trading in stocks on the market places Oslo Børs and Oslo Axess. Oslo Børs’ last fee reduction took place in September 2008.

The Board of Directors of Oslo Børs VPS Holding decided at its meeting on 25 February 2009 to introduce central counterparty (CCP) clearing for trades in equities, equity certificates and ETFs on Oslo Børs, and for trades in equities on Oslo Axess. The service will be provided by Oslo Clearing ASA, which currently offers a CCP service for clearing derivatives trading on Oslo Børs. Oslo Børs VPS plans to launch the new service in the first quarter of 2010.

Oslo Børs VPS Holding reports a loss of NOK 306,8 million for the fourth quarter of 2008 (proforma profit of NOK 128.2 million). Profit for 2008 as a whole totalled NOK 44,9 million (NOK 460.2 million). As a consequence of uncertainty regarding future market conditions, goodwill and systems have been written down by NOK 376 million. The Board of Directors of Oslo Børs VPS Holding ASA propose a dividend of NOK 5.00 per share for 2008, equivalent to NOK 215 million.

Jan Hellstrøm has advised the Board of VPS that in connection with reaching his pension age next year, he will wish to step down as Chief Executive Officer. The Board will therefore start the process of recruiting a new CEO for VPS, and will progress this task in order that Mr Hellstrøm's successor is appointed as soon as possible. Jan Hellstrøm has been CEO since 1992. After stepping down as CEO of VPS, Mr Hellstrøm will carry out duties for the Oslo Børs VPS group or for particular companies in the group.

Oslo Børs has agreed a letter of intent with London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) to form a strategic partnership, a key component of which includes the provision of trading systems to Oslo Børs. Subject to the successful completion of terms, Oslo Børs and LSEG will also cooperate on market and product development, and a deepening of ties between the two markets.

Oslo Børs VPS Holding reports a profit of NOK 105,9 million (proforma NOK 113.4 million) for the third quarter of 2008. The group had operating revenues of NOK 279,8 million (proforma NOK 276.4 million) in the quarter. The group experienced a continuing high level of market activity.

Oslo Børs VPS Holding reports a profit of NOK 129,9 million (proforma NOK 114.6 million) for the second quarter of 2008. The group had operating revenues of NOK 300,2 million (proforma NOK 281.6 million) in the quarter. The group experienced a continuing high level of market activity in all business areas.

Over recent years, the activities carried out by the Oslo Børs VPS group have been characterised by high activity levels, with many new companies admitted to listing and strong growth in trading and settlement in terms of both overall value and the number of transactions. In order to further strengthen the group´s competitiveness, both Oslo Børs and VPS will introduce reductions in fees from 1 September.

With effect from 23 June, all units within the Oslo Børs VPS group will adopt a comprehensive new corporate logo and profile.

The Annual General Meeting of Oslo Børs VPS Holding ASA held on Monday 26 May approved the annual report and accounts for 2007. The meeting resolved to pay a dividend of NOK 7 per share. Two new board members were elected.

Oslo Børs VPS Holding reports a profit of NOK 115.9 million for the first quarter of 2008 (NOK 65.4 million). The group had operating revenues of NOK 293.8 million (NOK 147.2 million) in the quarter. The group experienced a continuing high level of market activity in all business areas.

Oslo Børs VPS Holding reports a profit of NOK 95 million for the fourth quarter of 2007 (NOK 62 million). The group had operating revenues of NOK 227.7 million (NOK 132.6 million) in the quarter. The group experienced a continuing high level of market activity in all business areas. The Board of Directors of Oslo Børs VPS Holding ASA propose a dividend of NOK 7.00 per share for 2007, equivalent to NOK 301 million.

The companies Oslo Børs ASA, Verdipapirsentralen ASA and VPS Clearing ASA have today, 15 January 2008, held extraordinary general meetings at which the following new boards of directors were elected. All three companies are wholly-owned subsidiaries in the Oslo Børs VPS Holding ASA group.

The letter from the Ministry of Finance of 8 November 2007 granting approval for the merger of Oslo Børs Holding ASA and VPS Holding ASA stipulated certain conditions for the implementation of the merger. The condition stipulated in respect of payments of dividend and group contribution from VPS ASA to other companies in the group has now been clarified.

We refer to the press release issued on Wednesday morning. It has become apparent that Halvor Stenstadvold did, in fact, correctly report the transaction in question.

VPS’ operations in 2007 reflect high volumes and good results, enabling VPS to reduce its prices by a total of NOK 28 million.

Halvor Stenstadvold has decided to resign from the chairmanship of the Board of Directors of Oslo Børs. The background for Mr Stenstadvold’s decision is the discovery that he has broken the regulations on trading for own account by employees and officers of Oslo Børs by late notification of a transaction in shares.

The merger of Oslo Børs Holding ASA and VPS Holding ASA was registered with the Register of Business Enterprises today, 26 November, and has therefore come into effect. The share exchange will take place after the close of business today, 26 November, and Monday 26 November is therefore the last trading day for shares in VPS Holding. With effect from 27 November, shareholders of VPS Holding will be shareholders of Oslo Børs VPS Holding ASA.

With reference to the press release regarding the completion of the merger between Oslo Børs Holding ASA and VPS Holding ASA, please observe that ex-date will be 27 November and that record- and payment (delievery) date will be 29 November.

The companies received the Ministry of Finance´s approval for the merger on 8 November. The approval was granted subject to certain conditions. The boards of directors of Oslo Børs Holding and VPS Holding are of the view that these conditions will not have any material adverse impact on the merged company, and have therefore resolved to merge the holding companies as the first step in the merger of Oslo Børs and VPS.

Oslo Børs Holding ASA and VPS Holding ASA received approval of the merger from the Ministry of Finance on 8 November 2007. In connection with the approval, certain conditions were stipulated for the merger, and these must be evaluated and resolved before the merger can be carried out. Some of the matters involved also require prior approval by Kredittilsynet (the Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway).

JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM VPS OG OSLO BØRS. Oslo Børs and VPS have today received approval from the Ministry of Finance for the planned merger of the two companies.

Oslo Børs Holding ASA recorded post-tax profit of NOK 66.5 (39.7) million for the third quarter of 2007. Revenues totalled NOK 143.6 (110.4) million in the third quarter. As in previous quarters, the third quarter was characterised by high activity in most areas at Oslo Børs.