Nordic Countries: Economy

Domestic

The Nordic electric vehicle and industrial sectors saw significant corporate developments. Valmet Automotive is preparing to manufacture electric buses in Finland, while Finnish battery startup Donut Lab gained attention for its new technology. In Sweden, Volvo Cars reported a worse-than-expected 7% drop in sales volumes over a recent three-month period, even as it unveiled a new electric luxury sedan, the ES90. Separately, Danish shipping giant Maersk announced plans to lay off up to 1,000 office staff, with its shares falling after a warning it might post its first annual loss in a decade due to rising container shipping capacity.

In other corporate news, the jewelry company Pandora announced it will start using platinum instead of silver in its charm bracelets. The move, framed by its new CEO as a cost-management strategy amid volatile silver prices, was followed by a rise in the company's stock price. The broader precious metals market, including platinum and silver, finished a recent trading session lower, though some analysts anticipate a potential price turnaround.

International

International relations were marked by economic tensions and corporate warnings. Following reports that Trump was interested in buying Greenland, some consumers in Denmark began using apps to scan product barcodes and avoid American goods in favor of European alternatives. French President Macron stated that tensions between the US and the European Union are 'far from over.' Separately, the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk warned that its profits and sales could be lower than expected, attributing this to President Donald Trump's policies aimed at lowering drug prices. The company also appointed Jamey Millar to lead its U.S. business.