The Stockholm Stock Exchange has started Thursday with a modest gain. Notable news flow includes a takeover bid for Formpipe Software, a significant insider sale at Sivers Semiconductors, and Intrum finalizing the terms of its previously announced capital raise.

Consumer prices in Sweden rose more than expected in May, according to the flash CPI. The CPI increased by 0.8 percent on an annual basis, compared to expectations of 0.5 percent. Preliminary estimates indicate that energy and service prices drove the increase.

At around 09:20, the OMXS30 index was up 0.25 percent at 3,142.33. Shares worth approximately SEK 1.4 billion were traded on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.

The best performance among the major industrial sectors was healthcare, with a gain of 0.9 percent. At the other end of the scale, telecoms lagged with a decline of 1.8 percent.

Among the leading stocks in the OMXS30 index, Hexagon B rose 1.7 percent while Nibe B was up 1.6 percent. The weakest performer was Ericsson B, down 2.8 percent, while Telia fell 1.0 percent.

Credit management firm Intrum has set the terms for its previously announced SEK 7.5 billion capital raise. The terms for the SEK 6.0 billion rights issue are 18:1, meaning one existing share entitles the holder to subscribe for 18 new shares at a subscription price of SEK 2.45 per share. The company is also conducting a directed share issue of SEK 1.5 billion on the same terms. The stock retreated 4.3 percent.

Harish Krishnaswamy, head of the Wireless business area, has sold his entire shareholding in technology company Sivers Semiconductors for just under SEK 100 million. The stock, which has surged sharply in recent months, fell back 15.2 percent.

The bidding consortium Tabellae Bidco is launching a takeover bid for all shares in software company Formpipe Software, which is currently changing its name to Lasernet Group, at SEK 30 per share in cash. This represents a premium of 54 percent over the closing price on June 3. The consortium controls 54.3 percent of the shares in Formpipe. The stock is soaring 52.8 percent.

Hexagon spin-off Octave Intelligence fell on Thursday following a sharp decline on the New York Stock Exchange yesterday. The stock was down 6.1 percent in Stockholm.

Biotechnology company Xbrane Biopharma has had its resubmitted Biologics License Application for its Lucentis biosimilar candidate accepted by the US FDA. The agency has set a BsUFA date of October 29, when the review is expected to be completed. The stock increased 11.1 percent.

Morning analyst rating changes:

SEB upgrades Clas Ohlson to Buy (Hold), reiterating a target price of SEK 425. Clas Ohlson rose 1.5 percent.

Bank of America upgrades Epiroc to Buy (Underperform). Epiroc climbed 1.9 percent.

Danske Bank upgrades Trelleborg to Buy (Hold), with a target price of SEK 460.