Q1 trends, estimates, valuation and top picks

Alfa Laval (Buy, TP: SEK515.00) - Marine margin thesis playing out

Alfa Laval had an optically weak quarter, but it was clean in operational performance. Early signs of macro caution emerged through a newly introduced “cost prudence initiative” and repeated comments pointing to softer Marine order intake from Q2, but overall stable demand for the group. Still, margin execution was strong, with Marine reaching 21.8%, confirming our positive thesis in the stock, which is now one of the few in the sector where we expect earnings growth YOY in 2025. We have cut our 2025–2027e adj. EBITA by 3–4% (mainly FX) and target price to SEK515 (565), but reiterate our BUY.

A few things to worry about, but a lot to like

Airthings (No_rec, TP: NOK) - Recommendation and target price withdrawn

As a result of DNB Markets acting as financial advisor in conjunction with the company’s announcement (link) of a strategic review prompted by a non-binding letter of intent from Firda AS to explore a potential sale of its business segment assets, we have withdrawn our target price and recommendation.

SpareBank 1 Helgeland (Hold, TP: NOK167.00) - Softer margin, but lower costs

Helped by still-solid core revenues, cost reduction YOY and moderate loan losses, HELG reported a Q1 ROE of 12.3%, despite some margin pressure. With solid earnings generation, the bank increased its CET1 ratio by ~20bp to 18.0% and still guides for a 0.8%-point benefit from the implementation of Basel IV, boding well for meaningful distributions. We have lowered our 2026–2027e EPS by 0–1%, That said, we reiterate our target price of NOK167. With the stock trading at a 2026e P/E of ~12.4x, we continue to find the valuation fair and reiterate our HOLD.

Smartoptics (Buy, TP: NOK27.00) - We remain optimistic

Smartoptics’ Q1 results marked a slower start to the year than we forecast, primarily owing to weaker sales in Devices, which seems to be back to near-term tariff-induced uncertainty. On the flip side, we understand the slowdown seen towards end-Q1 has already caught up again in order inflow, and thus we remain upbeat for the quarters ahead. Following an estimate reduction, we have lowered our target price to NOK27 (30) but reiterate our BUY.