Economic Tendency Survey Business and consumer, February 2010

The Economic Tendency Indicator, which measures business and consumer confidence in the economic situation, rose nearly four points between January and February this year. The indicator has risen for ten consecutive months and is currently at a level signalling stronger than normal business and consumer sentiment.

Business: The confidence indicator for the business sector rose a further three points in February. It has now risen for eleven consecutive months and is considerably above the historic average. All sectors of the economy, except the retail trade, made a positive contribution. The retail trade confidence indicator fell back in February, following a record level the previous month. Consumer: The Consumer Confidence Indicator (CCI), which measures confidence in personal finances and the Swedish economy, rose 4.5 points to 13.0 in February. This level indicates that households have a more positive opinion on the economic situation than normal. Confidence in the Swedish economy in particular is positive and the Macro Index rose a full 16.2 points between January and February. This sharp rise is mainly due to increased consumer confi dence in the labour market. The Micro Index, which measures consumer confidence in personal finances, increased more cautiously rising a full point to 4.8, which is just below the historic average. Roger Knudsen, Director of Economic Tendency Survey phone: +46-8 453 59 06 or +4670-491 36 04 Maria Andersson, Director of Consumer Tendency Survey phone: +46-8 453 59 52