ABG Sundal Collier Holding registers a robust Q2 while ushering a leadership transition
ABG Sundal Collier Holding ASA (ABGSC) has released its interim report for the second quarter of 2026, confirming a significant acceleration in revenue and earnings that underpins the firm’s continued resilience in the Nordic capital‑markets arena. The company’s financials, coupled with a timely change in executive leadership, suggest a trajectory of disciplined growth that is likely to be rewarded by investors who have watched the firm’s performance since its 1984 founding.
Q2 results: a 27 % surge in revenue
The firm reported NOK 727 million in revenue for the quarter, compared with NOK 570 million in the same period a year earlier. This 27 % year‑over‑year increase is the highest in the company’s history for a single second quarter, reflecting an “accelerating momentum” noted by the CEO. The earnings‑per‑share (EPS) also climbed, with a diluted EPS of NOK 0.24 versus NOK 0.18 in the previous year, bringing the first‑half EPS to NOK 0.32 from NOK 0.27.
The revenue lift is attributed to the robust performance of both core segments:
| Segment | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Markets | Brokerage, trading, and execution of equities, bonds, derivatives, structured products, and FX |
| Investment Banking | Corporate advisory, ECM, DCM, M&A, and financial restructuring |
Capital‑markets activity remained supportive throughout the quarter, generating additional opportunities across the firm’s breadth of services.
Leadership transition: Jonas Ström steps down
On 1 September 2026, Jonas Ström will relinquish the role of chief executive officer, following an agreement with the board. He will remain on the firm as a senior partner, and the board has commenced the search for a successor. Chairman Knut Brundtland highlighted the company’s significant growth under Ström’s tenure, noting that ABG Sundal Collier has more than doubled its size in recent years.
The transition is viewed by analysts as a strategic move to bring fresh executive vision while preserving continuity through Ström’s continued presence as a senior partner. The firm’s governance structure, coupled with a stable board, positions it to navigate the evolving regulatory and market landscape of the Nordic region.
Market reaction and outlook
The stock closed at NOK 7.22 on 5 July, comfortably above its 52‑week low of NOK 6.8 and nearing the 52‑week high of NOK 8.4. The company’s price‑earnings ratio of 11.02 indicates a valuation that remains attractive relative to peers, particularly given the firm’s demonstrated earnings growth and market leadership.
Analysts anticipate that the firm will continue to benefit from:
- Strong demand for capital‑markets services across Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and international markets.
- Expanding corporate advisory pipeline, driven by a favourable M&A environment.
- Operational efficiency gains from ongoing digitalisation initiatives within the brokerage and investment banking divisions.
In light of the recent results and the orderly leadership transition, investors can expect a steady upward trajectory for ABG Sundal Collier Holding, provided that macro‑economic conditions continue to support the Nordic financial sector.
