Finland stocks higher at close of trade; OMX Helsinki 25 up 0.72%

Finnish stocks closed higher on Wednesday, propelled by gains in the utilities, basic materials, and telecom sectors, which led the broader market upward.

At the closing bell in Helsinki, the OMX Helsinki 25 index rose 0.72%, reaching a fresh three-month high.

Among the session's best performers on the OMX Helsinki 25, Fortum Oyj (HE:FORTUM) climbed 15.82%, or 3.38 points, to end at 24.74. UPM-Kymmene Oyj (HE:UPM) advanced 5.39%, or 1.31 points, closing at 25.60, while Bittium Oyj (HE:BITTI) gained 5.11%, or 1.80 points, to 37.00 in late trading.

The worst performers of the day included Konecranes ABP (HE:KCRA), which fell 2.83%, or 0.86 points, to close at 29.48. Hiab Oyj (HE:HIAB) declined 2.35%, or 1.45 points, to finish at 60.20, and Huhtamaki Oyj (HE:HUH1V) dropped 1.91%, or 0.60 points, to 30.80.

On the Helsinki Stock Exchange, falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones by a margin of 112 to 66, while 16 issues closed unchanged.

Fortum Oyj (HE:FORTUM) shares reached a three-year high during the session, rising 15.82%, or 3.38 points, to 24.74.

In commodities trading, Brent crude oil for November delivery rose 3.49%, or $3.42, to $101.34 per barrel. October-delivery crude oil gained 3.74%, or $3.48, to $96.51 a barrel, while December gold futures added 0.09%, or $3.90, reaching $4,442.90 per troy ounce.

EUR/USD recorded a marginal 0.04% change to trade at 1.16, while EUR/GBP was effectively flat, moving 0.03% to 0.86.

The U.S. Dollar Index futures edged up 0.03% to 98.81.