UPDATE 2-NORDIC STOCKS - Factors to watch on Aug 6

(Adds Assa Abloy, updates TGS-Nopec, Finnair, Cramo, Sanoma, TGS-Nopec, Novo Nordisk)

HELSINKI Aug 6 (Reuters) - The following stocks may be affected by newspaper reports and other factors on Thursday:

NORSKE SKOG NGS.OL

The Norwegian papermaker reported second-quarter core earnings roughly in line with expectations and said it saw no clear signs of improvement in its markets near-term. [ID:nL6498140]

For more on the company, double click on [NGS.OL]

NOVO NORDISK (NOVOb.CO)

The Danish drug maker posted a bigger-than-expected rise in operating profits for the second quarter and raised it guidance for the full-year result. [ID:nDKT004545]

For more on the company, double click on [NOVOb.CO]

NOKIAN RENKAAT (NRE1V.HE) The Finnish tyre maker posted a steeper-than-expected drop in second-quarter profits and stood by its forecast for a sharp fall in its full-year earnings. [ID:nL6252607]

For more on the company, double click on [NRE1V.HE]

ASSA ABLOY (ASSAb.ST)

Goldman Sachs has downgraded the Swedish lock maker to neutral and removed the company from its Pan-Europe buy list.

SANOMA (SAA1V.HE)

The Finnish media group posted second-quarter earnings in line with market forecasts and repeated its outlook for 2009.

For more on the company, double click on [SAA1V.HE]

TGS-NOPEC (TGS.OL)

The Norwegian seismic surveyor posted a smaller-than-expected fall in second-quarter operating earnings and said it was unclear when spending on new seismic surveys by oil and gas produceras would pick up. [ID:nL6503605]

For more on the company, double click on [TGS.OL]

FINNAIR (FIA1S.HE)

The Finnish airline reported a drop of nearly 7 percent in July traffic but said its load factor increased somewhat compared with the corresponding month a year earlier.

For more on the company, double click on [FIA1S.HE]

CRAMO (CRA1V.HE)

The Finnish machinery rentals firm posted lower-than-expected operating earnings for the second quarter.

For more on the company, double click on [CRA1V.HE]

AMER SPORTS (AMEAS.HE)

The Finnish sporting goods group is seen posting a widening second-quarter operating loss versus last year, a Reuters poll of ten analysts showed.[ID:nLU523940]

For more on the company, double click on [AMEAS.HE]

LEMMINKAINEN (LEM1S.HE)

The Finnish builder reported operating earnings for the second quarter in line with market expectations.

For more on the company, double click on [LEM1S.HE]

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(Additional reporting by Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm newsrooms) (Helsinki Newsroom; +358-9-6805-0244)