DNB posts 9.8 bn NOK profit as Asian markets slide on US‑Iran tensions

Norwegian bank DNB reported a net profit of 9.8 billion kroner for the second quarter, with pre‑tax earnings of 13 billion kroner. The result sparked criticism from Rødts party member Mimir Kristjansson, who called for tighter regulation of bank profit margins.

Other Nordic companies posted mixed earnings: Sweden’s Creades posted a post‑tax profit of 2.388 billion kronor, while Norske Skog recorded an EBITDA of 73 million Norwegian kroner. Digital‑savings platform Nowonomics reported revenue of 14 million kronor, and Nexa announced its first positive EBIT. BioArctic highlighted a new home‑use option for its Alzheimer drug Leqembi, and Avanza delivered a record quarter in Denmark.

In Asian markets, equities fell after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the re‑imposition of the Strait of Hormuz blockade. Oil‑price gains and inflation worries pressured indices: South Korea’s Kospi dropped 1.7 %, SK Hynix fell over 9 %, Taiwan’s TSMC slipped 1.2 %, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.3 %, Shanghai fell 0.7 %, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.5 %, and Australia’s ASX200 slipped 0.3 %. Analysts warned that higher energy prices could force central banks to adjust policy rates.