Economic Tendency Survey Business and consumer, March 2010

The Economic Tendency Indicator, which measures business and consumer confidence in the economic situation, fell 0.6 points in March. Previously the indicator had risen just over 35 points since April last year. Its current level signals stronger than normal business and consumer sentiment.

Business: Industry reports strong order growth The confidence indicator for the business sector rose one point in March. It has now risen for 12 consecutive months and is considerably above the historic average. The construction industry and the service sector made a positive contribution, while the retail trade confidence indicator declined and the manufacturing industry indicator remained unchanged. Consumer: Increased optimism about the labour market The Consumer Confidence Indicator (CCI), which measures confidence in personal finances and the Swedish economy, rose 2.5 points to 15.5 in March. This means that households are more positive about the economic situation than normal. Households are increasingly confident about the Swedish economy and the labour market, and the Macro Index rose from 15.1 to 21.7 in March. The Micro Index, which measures consumer confidence in personal finances, rose 1.3 points to 6.1, which is just above the historic average. For more information contact: 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