Economic Tendency Survey Business and consumer, January 2010

The Economic Tendency Indicator, which measures business and consumer confidence in the economic situation, rose just over two points between December and January to 103.4. This is the indicator’s highest level since March 2008. All sectors made a positive contribution to this rise. Business: Increasingly optimistic business sector The confidence indicator for the business sector rose 15 points between the third and fourth quarters of 2009. It has risen nearly 40 points from its lowest level in the first quarter of 2009 and is currently considerably above the historic average. Consumer: Households remain somewhat more positive than normal The Consumer Confidence Indicator (CCI) rose barely one point to 8.5 between December and January. This level is somewhat above the historic average, indicating that consumer confidence in the economic situation is somewhat more positive than normal. This picture is supported by the Micro Index, which measures consumer confidence in personal finances and has risen 0.4 points. However, consumer confidence in the Swedish economy is somewhat more negative than last month and the Macro Index has fallen 1.5 points. For more information contact: Roger Knudsen, head of unit for Economic Tendency Survey, phone: 08-453 59 06 or 070-491 36 04. Maria Billstam, Director Consumer Tendency Survey phone: 08-453 59 04