** Shares in Storebrand STB.OL inch higher to a record high, paring earlier gains of about 3%, after the Norwegian financial group posted better-than-expected fourth-quarter results

** It reported a Q4 cash equivalent earnings before amortisation at NOK 1.52 billion ($160.22 million), 15.5% above its target and exceeding estimates of 1.42 billion seen in a company-provided consensus

** Jefferies notes that although Storebrand's valuation already captures its strong momentum and positive outlook, the Q4 cash‑equivalent earnings beat of more than 15% should provide support for the shares today

** "Turning to capital, although Storebrand's Solvency II ratio and dividend were both in line with consensus, the group has announced that its 2026 buyback will be NOK 2 billion, which appears to be substantially ahead of Visible Alpha consensus," the brokerage adds

($1 = 9.4872 Norwegian crowns)

(Reporting by Agnieszka Gosciak-Rabalska)

((Agnieszka.Gosciak@thomsonreuters.com; +48 58 769 66 00;))