** Shares in Storebrand STB.OL rise over 4% after the Norwegian financial group posted a Q2 earnings beat citing a strong quarter for insurance, where the result grew 40% year-on-year

** The company reported a Q2 cash equivalent earnings before amortisation of NOK 1,799 million ($185.28 million), which J.P.Morgan points out is 16% ahead of consensus

** "Strong P&C results drive a material beat – likely to result in positive revisions," JPM says

** Jefferies notes the beat is broad-based

** "20% beat in Q2 and all segments coming ahead of expectations, today's print is likely to sustain the earnings momentum underpinning the shares," the brokerage adds

** Separately, the company announced a NOK 1.0 billion buy-back, equivalent to about 1.2% share capital

** The stock is among top performers on pan-European STOXX 600 index .STOXX

($1 = 9.7094 Norwegian crowns)