March web-activity insights

Web-activity data from March indicates roughly flat trading activity MOM for Avanza and Nordnet, and one of the most active months in three years despite negative seasonality. For Q1e, we see c20% upside potential on Avanza’s trading-related commissions, c15% on Nordnet’s. The platforms are due to release their March statistics on 3 April.

CFO is leaving the building

February web-activity insights

Web-activity data points to trading activity up 2–5% MOM for Avanza and Nordnet in February, potentially the second-most active month in three years. For Q1e, we see upside potential to Avanza’s and Nordnet’s transaction-related commissions, since activity seems to be holding up better than the consensus view of an imminent rapid normalisation. The platforms are due to release their February statistics on 5 March.

Billerud (Buy, TP: SEK130.00) - In a good place with excess cash

Despite escalating macroeconomic uncertainty, we remain convinced that Billerud has healthy pricing power in Europe and is in a good position to increase its capacity utilisation for its well-performing US business. Our 2025e earnings are largely unchanged, but due to FX (much stronger SEK) and a sharp reduction of free CO2 allowances from 2026, we have cut our 2026–2027e EBITDA by c8%. We continue to see an attractive investment case, as our forecasts translate into appealing multiples, while the balance sheet is heavily overcapitalised. We reiterate our BUY, but have cut our target price to ...

UPM (Buy, TP: EUR36.00) - Separating the wheat from the chaff

While acknowledging the overall high macro uncertainty, we still expect UPM to show continued earnings growth in 2025, in contrast to many other cyclical companies. Due to a more cautious view on pulp prices and FX, we have cut our 2025–2026e EBITDA by 12–8%. Still, our earnings scenario remains highly attractive. We have also lowered our 2026–2027e capex as we believe the company will push growth investments into the future and instead prioritise share buybacks. We reiterate our BUY, but have cut our target price to EUR36 (38).

Gubra - Initiation of coverage - Punching above its weight class

Gubra is a contract research organisation (CRO) and biotech company with a focus on obesity and metabolic diseases. We see the lead asset, GUBamy, as a competitive amylin, offering GLP-1-like efficacy, while its 11-day half-life profile promotes sustained weight loss. Based on our market model, we expect its obesity franchise to reach a 2.7% share of the cUSD229bn market by 2044e, driving long-term value. We initiate coverage with a BUY and DKK750 target price.