A Norwegian institution with a French owner
The Oslo Stock Exchange has existed since 1819 — older than many of the largest companies traded there today. For over 180 years it was a Norwegian institution, owned and managed by Norwegians. Then something happened that surprised many.
In 2019 the Oslo Stock Exchange was purchased by Euronext — a large European exchange operator headquartered in Amsterdam, but with strong French roots and greatest influence from Paris.
"Nothing happens by chance in this world. Behind every great shift lie forces that have been building over time."
— Florence Scovel Shinn
Who is Euronext?
Euronext is Europe's largest exchange operator and runs exchanges in many countries including Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels, Lisbon, Dublin, Milan and Oslo — since 2019.
Did you know? Euronext is publicly listed — you can actually buy shares in the company that owns the Oslo Stock Exchange! The ticker symbol is ENX and it trades on Euronext Paris.
What does this mean for you as an investor?
For most Norwegian investors you notice little of the French ownership in everyday life:
- The Oslo Stock Exchange is still operated from Oslo
- Norwegian stocks are still traded in Norwegian kroner
- Rules and regulation follow Norwegian and European law
- The trading system has been upgraded and is more modern
"Knowledge is freedom. The one who understands the system around them is never entirely at its mercy."
— Florence Scovel Shinn