Danish companies making huge gains thanks to soaring dollar

US companies with investments in Europe are less happy about the development

The current strength of the dollar could bring huge profits to Danish companies with investments in the United States, predicts Nordea's chief analyst. 

Currently at its highest rate for nine years, the dollar has increased by 17-18 percent against the euro since last May.

Expecting significant profits
Companies with large revenue streams in the US, such as GN Store Nord, Novo Nordisk, Novozymes and FLSmidth, can expect solid gains in 2015.  

Michael Borre, a chief analyst at Nordea Bank, has calculated that GN Store Nord would increase its operating profits by 11 percent if there were a 10 percent rise in the dollar. 

Novo Nordisk, which derives 47 percent of its revenue from the US, can expect significant growth too. 

Novozymes, meanwhile, has the potential to increase its operating profits by 6 percent, and FLSmidth by 5 percent.

Danish economy would benefit
Borre predicts the Danish economy as a whole would benefit from the impact of a strong dollar on export companies. 

One analyst predicts it could indirectly lead to 9,000 new jobs in Denmark.

"The strength of the US economy is expected to continue for the next few years, which is something companies should take into consideration," Danke Bank analyst Steen Bocian told Finans.

"There is a potential that cannot be found in Europe to the same extent."

US firms losing out
However, US companies such as Coca-Cola, Johnson&Johnson, Mattel and Nike will be adversely affected by the development as their revenue in Europe falls.

The current exchange rate is 0.84 euros or 6.21 kroner for every dollar.





  • How internationals can benefit from joining trade unions

    How internationals can benefit from joining trade unions

    Being part of a trade union is a long-established norm for Danes. But many internationals do not join unions – instead enduring workers’ rights violations. Find out how joining a union could benefit you, and how to go about it.

  • Internationals in Denmark rarely join a trade union

    Internationals in Denmark rarely join a trade union

    Internationals are overrepresented in the lowest-paid fields of agriculture, transport, cleaning, hotels and restaurants, and construction – industries that classically lack collective agreements. A new analysis from the Workers’ Union’s Business Council suggests that internationals rarely join trade unions – but if they did, it would generate better industry standards.

  • Novo Nordisk overtakes LEGO as the most desirable future workplace amongst university students

    Novo Nordisk overtakes LEGO as the most desirable future workplace amongst university students

    The numbers are especially striking amongst the 3,477 business and economics students polled, of whom 31 percent elected Novo Nordisk as their favorite, compared with 20 percent last year.