Finland's economy gains momentum as retail sales rise and Novo Nordisk wins court case

Early 2024 data show Finland's economy improving. Retail sales grew 3.3% in the first quarter, and both wholesale and retail turnover have risen steadily since September 2023. Gross domestic product increased 0.9% in each of the first two quarters, while the total wage sum rose, especially in the public sector. Although the trade sector still lost about 5,000 jobs overall, employment in retail showed a modest rebound, and economists expect the labour market to improve in the autumn.

European stock markets opened higher, with the Stoxx Europe 600 up 0.2%. The Danish biotech firm Novo Nordisk jumped 4.7% after a U.S. federal judge dismissed an antitrust lawsuit over its weight‑loss drug. The biotech sector led gains, while Irish building‑materials company Kingspan surged over 13% and German copper producer Aurubis fell after announcing a delay in a U.S. smelter project.