Stolt Comex Seaway News

Stolt Comex Seaway and NKT Holding will reportedly create a new firm to make equipment for the offshore oil and gas industry.

The All Share Index in Oslo lost a further 4.2 percent in April, and as in March the main reason for the fall was international repricing of technology stocks. However, shipping and offshore companies were not providing any help for the market, as the Shipping Index fell a solid 5.8 percent during the month. Det Søndenfjeldske (SFJ), Ocean Rig (OCR) and Stolt Comex Seaway (SCS and SCSA) all fell between 14 and 19 percent, leading the way down for offshore stocks. The share price of Det Søndenfjeldske has dropped almost 25 percent during the last two months. Also Smedvig A (SME), Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) and TGS Nopec (TGS) saw their market values fall in April. The three stocks fell 1.1, 5.4 and 5.7 percent respectively.

The All Share Index in Oslo was up 3.8 percent in May, and shipping and offshore stocks were leading the way as the Shipping Index surged 13.9 percent during the month. All but three of the offshore stocks listed on the OSE experienced positive share price movements in the period. Northern Offshore (NOF), announcing strong results for first quarter, was up all of 50 percent. Nortrans Offshore (NOL), Navis (NIS), Stolt Comex Seaway (SCS) and Smedvig (SME/SMEB) were all up between 33 and 20 percent. Polar Holding (POL) fell 26 percent in May as District Offshore (DOF) failed in it's attempt to acquire the company. Brøvig Offshore was down 17 percent, while DOF fell 3 percent. The two cruise operators both experienced a positive share price development in May.

The All Share Index in Oslo was up 3.8 percent in May, and shipping and offshore stocks were leading the way as the Shipping Index surged 13.9 percent during the month. All but three of the offshore stocks listed on the OSE experienced positive share price movements in the period. Northern Offshore (NOF), announcing strong results for first quarter, was up all of 50 percent. Nortrans Offshore (NOL), Navis (NIS), Stolt Comex Seaway (SCS) and Smedvig (SME/SMEB) were all up between 33 and 20 percent. Polar Holding (POL) fell 26 percent in May as District Offshore (DOF) failed in it's attempt to acquire the company. Brøvig Offshore was down 17 percent, while DOF fell 3 percent. The two cruise operators both experienced a positive share price development in May.

The All Share Index in Oslo was up 3.8 percent in May, and shipping and offshore stocks were leading the way as the Shipping Index surged 13.9 percent during the month. All but three of the offshore stocks listed on the OSE experienced positive share price movements in the period. Northern Offshore (NOF), announcing strong results for first quarter, was up all of 50 percent. Nortrans Offshore (NOL), Navis (NIS), Stolt Comex Seaway (SCS) and Smedvig (SME/SMEB) were all up between 33 and 20 percent. Polar Holding (POL) fell 26 percent in May as District Offshore (DOF) failed in it's attempt to acquire the company. Brøvig Offshore was down 17 percent, while DOF fell 3 percent. The two cruise operators both experienced a positive share price development in May.

Shipping and offshore shares performed well in March with an increase in the Shipping Index of 2.3 percent. The Oslo market as a whole fell 2.2 percent, much due to the world-wide price fall for the IT and telecom sector. Despite the uncertainty about the outcome of the OPEC meeting on March 27 and 28, a number of offshore shares rose significantly during the month. Even though the oil price fell slightly as a result of the meeting, it is obviously within a price range that is considered as comfortable by investors. The two share classes in Smedvig (SME and SMEB) were both up about 19 percent in the period, topping the long list of positive performers in the offshore sector. All but five of the listed offshore shares increased their value during March.

Shipping and offshore shares performed well in March with an increase in the Shipping Index of 2.3 percent. The Oslo market as a whole fell 2.2 percent, much due to the world-wide price fall for the IT and telecom sector. Despite the uncertainty about the outcome of the OPEC meeting on March 27 and 28, a number of offshore shares rose significantly during the month. Even though the oil price fell slightly as a result of the meeting, it is obviously within a price range that is considered as comfortable by investors. The two share classes in Smedvig (SME and SMEB) were both up about 19 percent in the period, topping the long list of positive performers in the offshore sector. All but five of the listed offshore shares increased their value during March.

Subsea contractor Stolt Comex Seaway S.A. reported results for the fourth quarter and the year ended Nov. 30, 1999. Net loss for the latest quarter was $1.5 million, on net operating revenue of $149.4 million, compared with net income of $9.6 million, on net operating revenue of $223.9 million for the same period last year. Net income for the year ended Nov. 30, 1999 was $16.2 million, on net operating revenue of $640.7 million, compared with a net income of $57.3 million, on net operating revenue of $649.8 million for the same period in 1998.

Higher oil prices have helped the Oslo Stock Exchange's shipping index, which features maritime and offshore shares, to rise by 33.7 percent so far this year - outperforming the exchange's other indexes. Share prices of offshore shares have decreased for two months now, resisting the influence of continued buoyant oil prices. The value of shares on the Main List dropped 5.6 percent in September and 13.6 percent in October. The 19.6 percent price fall recorded by the seismic company Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS), the biggest offshore company on the Exchange, was the main contributor. The SMB-listed offshore company Ocean Rig (OCR) tops the losers list for the second month running, having sliced almost 30 percent off its share price in October. Big players such as Fred.

A December rally on the Oslo Stock Exchange gave maritime shares an extra glitter and ensured a strong finish to an already strong year. Shipping and offshore shares performed marginally better than shares on the general Oslo market during 1999, rallying 8.6 percent in December to finish the year a solid 48.0 percent above last year's close. The All Share Index, which includes all shares on the Main List, was up 45.5 percent for the year, and shaking off the dismal record in 1998 when the index dropped 26.7 percent. The All Share Index is still 4.4 percent away from its all time high, while the Shipping Index is 24.4 percent below its top mark.

Norwegian offshore services provider Stolt Comex Seaway SA won $60 million worth of contracts after a slow start earlier in the year . Stolt said higher oil prices and an improving construction and maintenance market in the Gulf of Mexico could help the market grow the following year.