Key figures for listed enterprises (discontinued), Q2 2004

The financial strength of listed companies, measured by equity ratio, shows a marked improvement compared with previous quarters. In these statistics, equity ratio is defined as the ratio between equity and total assets at the end of the quarter.

The operating margin was 14.0 per cent, compared with 9.6 per cent in the same quarter in 2003 and 16.2 per cent in the first quarter of 2004.

About the statistical basis

The key figures for listed companies are based on the quarterly reports of Norwegian companies listed on the Oslo Børs. The statistics do not include banks, insurance companies and foreign-owned companies listed on the Oslo Børs.

The quarterly reports are based on the financial activity of the financial unit, i.e. the group company where consolidated accounts are produced. Consolidated quarterly reports include the parent company and all its subsidiaries, and show the financial development in all the companies as if they were one company. A group company may consist of companies involved in different industries and registered in different countries. This means that the statistics include foreign subsidiaries belonging to a Norwegian group listed on the Oslo Børs as well as subsidiaries involved in financial activities.

Tables:

• Table 1 Key figures for listed enterprises