Economic Tendency Survey, December 2010

The Economic Tendency Indicator fell just under three points between November and December this year. It remains at a very high level, close to the record high in autumn 2000.

Business: Continued strong growth in business sector

The confidence indicator for the business sector fell back three points in December from the record high the previous month, but remains considerably above the previous record high in May 2007. This decline in the business sector confidence indicator is due to the fall in the indicators for the manufacturing industry, the retail trade and the private service sector. Only the construction confidence indicator has risen.

Consumer: Strong household optimism weakens somewhat

Households are slightly less optimistic about the economy than a few months ago. In December the Consumer Confidence Indicator (CCI) fell 1.7 points to 20.8, falling for the third consecutive month. However, the CCI level remains high, close to the high values immediately before the crisis years 2008-2009 and considerably above the historic average. The Macro Index and the Micro Index both fell back somewhat in December. The former fell 1.6 points to 32.0 and the latter 1.2 points to 8.0.

For more information contact:

Mats Dillén, Director Geoneral: +46-8 453 59 66
Maria Andersson, Director of Consumer Tendency Survey: +46-8 453 59 52
Sarah Hegardt Grant, Press Contact: +46-8 453 59 11 or +4670-267 80 41