The Stockholm Stock Exchange has opened the trading day in the red, a trend mirrored across leading European markets.

Brent crude has turned upward again, rising nearly 3 percent after the U.S. military conducted fresh strikes against targets in Iran overnight, according to a U.S. source reported by CNN. The target was reportedly a facility near the Strait of Hormuz deemed a threat to U.S. forces and commercial shipping. Separately, Kuwait activated its air defenses on Thursday following what the country described as hostile missile and drone threats.

As of 09:15 CET, the OMXS30 index was down 0.59 percent at 3,137.58. Shares worth approximately SEK 1.1 billion had changed hands on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.

Among the major industrial sectors, energy performed best with a 0.5 percent gain. At the other end of the spectrum, healthcare lagged at the bottom, falling 2.1 percent.

Among the blue-chip stocks in the OMXS30 index, Saab B rose 2.0 percent, while Boliden gained 0.7 percent. Astra Zeneca saw the weakest performance, dropping 2.8 percent, while Nibe B fell 1.4 percent.

Medical technology company Elekta reported lower-than-expected revenue for the fourth quarter of 2025/2026, while adjusted EBIT came in above consensus at SEK 902 million, compared to the expected 811 million. The board proposes an unchanged dividend of SEK 2.40 per share. For the full year 2026/2027, Elekta expects net sales in constant currencies to increase year-on-year, with a further improvement in the EBIT margin. The stock plummeted 13 percent.

The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (FI) has issued Norion Bank a warning and a fine of SEK 90 million for deficiencies in its anti-money laundering efforts. The probe covers the period from April 30, 2022, to May 1, 2023, and concerns the bank's handling of corporate customers with a high risk of money laundering and terrorism financing. The stock retreated 0.7 percent.

Furthermore, Sweco has secured an order in Norway worth SEK 140 million. Instalco has also received an order in the same country worth NOK 46 million. The stock fell 0.3 percent.

In analyst news, SB1 Markets initiated coverage on Atlas Copco with a neutral rating and a price target of SEK 190. The stock fell 1.5 percent.

Barclays upgraded Boliden to overweight (from equal weight) with a price target of SEK 650. Meanwhile, Handelsbanken reiterated its buy recommendation with a price target of SEK 610. The stock was up 1.1 percent.