Statistical news focuses on the latest figures and trends in Danmarks Nationalbank’s statistics. Statistical news is targeted at people who want quick insight into current financial data.
Large purchases of foreign shares in 2025
Danish investors purchased listed foreign portfolio shares amounting to kr. 131 billion in the first ten months of 2025. The purchases were primarily driven by insurance and pension companies. During the same period, foreign investors purchased Danish listed portfolio shares amounting to kr. 6 billion. Since 2015, Danish investors have predominantly purchased foreign shares, while foreign investors have only purchased Danish shares to a limited extent.
Danish investors have purchased foreign shares worth kr. 131 billion this year
Note:
The figure shows accumulated net purchases of foreign and Danish listed portfolio shares respectively. Portfolio investments are characterised by the investor not having significant influence over the decisions of the company in which the investment is made.
Foreign investors buy Ørsted and sell Novo Nordisk shares
The modest net purchase of Danish shares covers both purchases and sales of individual shares. In 2025, foreign investors purchased Ørsted shares worth kr. 38 billion, with most purchases occurring in October as part of Ørsted’s capital increase. Conversely, the most sold share by foreign investors was Novo Nordisk’s B share. Sales in the first ten months amounted to kr. 36 billion, yet foreign investors still own 77 per cent of the share. In October 2025, foreign investors’ total investments in Danish shares amounted to kr. 2,049 billion.
Larger proportion of foreign shares
Foreign shares represent 64 per cent of Danish investors’ total listed shareholdings in 2025, compared with 47 per cent at the beginning of 2015. The increase should be considered in the light of rising investment needs among Danish insurance and pension companies. The higher proportion of foreign shares is largely driven by American shares. While price gains account for most of the rise in American holdings, substantial purchases have also contributed to the increase in the proportion of American shares. In contrast, the proportion of European shares remained stable over the same period. Danish investors’ total investments in foreign shares amounted to kr. 2,740 billion in October 2025.