The Stockholm Stock Exchange fell on Wednesday, in a downward retreat following Tuesday's sharp rise. The trend was similar across leading European markets. In the news flow, reporting retailer Clas Ohlson rose after its operating profit beat analysts' expectations.

At the close, the OMXS30 index was down 0.77 percent to 3,058.96. Shares worth approximately 21.6 billion kronor were traded on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.

Among the exchange's major industrial sectors, energy saw the best performance with an increase of 3.3 percent. At the other end of the scale, real estate hit the bottom with a decline of 1.6 percent.

Among the leading shares included in the OMXS30 index, Ericsson B rose 1.5 percent while Hexagon B was up 1.4 percent. The worst performance came from EQT, down 3.1 percent, while Saab B fell 2.8 percent.

Home improvement chain Clas Ohlson reported an operating profit of 659 million kronor for the third quarter, which was 3 percent higher than analysts' expectations. Sales for the quarter were known in advance. Sales in February, the first month of the fourth quarter, rose by 9 percent. The stock climbed 8.8 percent.

Spanish clothing company Inditex's revenue and earnings per share for the full year 2025/26 came in line with analysts' expectations. The total dividend is proposed to be raised. Sales so far in the new financial year have risen by 9 percent. Inditex shares traded up 0.7 percent in Madrid, while competitor H&M rose 0.3 percent.

Private equity firm EQT, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, and Auba Investment have sold their remaining shares in the German skincare company Galderma through a placement. The deal brings the sellers 4.9 billion Swiss francs, equivalent to 58 billion kronor. The owners' exit comes after Galderma has performed strongly since its IPO in the spring of 2024.

Technology company Sivers Semiconductors announced that an unnamed Lidar customer is scaling up its production. Sivers will deliver lasers and optical amplifiers with a cumulative revenue potential of between 53 and 138 million dollars over the customer's product life cycle. The stock climbed 12 percent.

Financial profile Günther Mårder is buying shares for just over 14 million kronor in the real estate company Prisma Properties, where he is proposed to join the board at the annual general meeting in late April. The stock increased 0.8 percent.

Shipping company Gotlandsbolaget increased its revenue but swung to a negative result in the fourth quarter, compared to a profit in the corresponding quarter last year. The board is deferring the dividend proposal. The stock lost 4.0 percent.

Environmental technology company Scandinavian Enviro is placing its subsidiary Tyre Recycling in Sweden into bankruptcy. This results in a write-down of 84 million kronor. The parent company is currently undergoing a corporate restructuring. The stock fell 12 percent.

Analysis firm Maxim raised its recommendation for the research company Medivir to buy, from previous hold, with a target price of 0.75 dollars, equivalent to 6.90 kronor. The stock surged 51 percent.