Economic Tendency Survey, February 2011

The Economic Tendency Indicator, which measures sentiment in the Swedish economy, rose 0.4 points between January and February this year. This is the second consecutive month that the indicator has risen and it remains at a very high level.

Business: Expansive employment plans in business sector

The confi dence indicator for the business sector rose one point in February and is now only marginally below the record high in November 2010. This increase is wholly due to continued strong growth in the service sector. The confidence indicators for the other sectors fell back somewhat in February.

Consumer: Households expect higher interest rates

Household optimism remains strong in February. The Consumer Confidence Indicator (CCI), which measures confi dence in personal finances and the Swedish economy, fell back just over two points to 21.4. Nevertheless the CCI is considerably above the average. The Macro Index and the Micro Index also fell in February by 2.1 points and 0.9 points respectively. However, all three indices are in line with or higher than the December level.

For more information please contact:

Roger Knudsen, Director of Economic Tendency Survey

phone: +46-8 453 59 06 or +4670-491 36 04

Fredrik Paues, Research, phone: +46-8 453 59 84

Torbjörn Lindquist, Director of Consumer Tendency Survey, phone: +46-8 453 59 52

Sarah Hegardt Grant, Head of Communications, phone: 46-8-453 59 11