Annual reports for non-financial limited companies, account statistics, 2005

In 2004, return on invested equity was 15.5 per cent on average. Compared with 2002, return on invested equity increased more than fourfold in 2004.

Oil and gas extraction, with a return on equity in per cent of 36.4 per cent, contributed most to the development in return on invested equity. Equity ratio in oil and gas extraction was 34.9 per cent, which was lower than equity ratio for all limited companies.

Mainland-Norway had return on invested equity of 16.3 per cent, and equity ratio of 40.3 per cent.

Total net profit increased from NOK 258 billion in 2004 to NOK 378 billion in 2005. Despite the increase in net profit, proposed dividends decreased. Proposed dividends were NOK 200 billion in 2004, while in 2005, proposed dividends amounted to NOK 132 billion. Half of the proposed dividends in 2005 came from oil and gas extraction.

About the statistical basis

The statistics for 2005 cover a total of 139 344 non-financial limited companies. The information on the companies is obtained from the Register of Company Accounts in Brønnøysund. There were 174 019 non-financial limited companies in 2005, according to Statistics Norway’s Central Register of Establishments and Enterprises. The increase in the number of limited companies is most likely due to the transition rules in tax legislation.

The statistics include non-financial limited companies which have sent their accounts to the Register of Company Accounts. The statistics do not cover companies engaged in financial activities and other financial services (commercial banks, savings banks, finance companies and other financial enterprises). Accounts having serious errors or shortcomings in either the income statement or the balance sheet are excluded. Accounts for companies which are in the process of closing are excluded, since these accounts have not been prepared under the assumption of going concern and are therefore not comparable.

Tables:

• Table 1 Selected accounting figures for joint-stock companies. Income statement. 2004-2005. Million kroner.
• Table 2 Selected accounting figures for limited companies. Balance sheet at 31 December. Million kroner.
• Table 3 Key figures for limited companies.