Sweden Economic Sentiment Falls to 7-Month Low

2026-04-29 07:42 By Erika Ordonez 1 min. read

Sweden’s Economic Tendency Indicator fell to 99.0 in April 2026, its lowest level in seven months, following a revised 99.6 in March, while remaining broadly in line with normal conditions.

Business confidence stayed stable, with most sectors at typical levels, while retail trade remained above normal, supported by sharply higher price plans as fewer grocery firms expected price cuts.

Manufacturing sentiment was steady, backed by stronger domestic orders, while construction eased to normal levels despite continued optimism over future activity and the one-year outlook.

Services confidence improved slightly on firmer assessments of recent conditions.

In contrast, consumer sentiment weakened further and stayed below normal, weighed by more pessimistic views on Sweden’s economy, household finances, and major purchases.

Across the business sector, aggregate price plans rose and pointed more strongly than usual toward higher selling prices, particularly in manufacturing and retail.



News Stream
Sweden Economic Sentiment Falls to 7-Month Low
Sweden’s Economic Tendency Indicator fell to 99.0 in April 2026, its lowest level in seven months, following a revised 99.6 in March, while remaining broadly in line with normal conditions. Business confidence stayed stable, with most sectors at typical levels, while retail trade remained above normal, supported by sharply higher price plans as fewer grocery firms expected price cuts. Manufacturing sentiment was steady, backed by stronger domestic orders, while construction eased to normal levels despite continued optimism over future activity and the one-year outlook. Services confidence improved slightly on firmer assessments of recent conditions. In contrast, consumer sentiment weakened further and stayed below normal, weighed by more pessimistic views on Sweden’s economy, household finances, and major purchases. Across the business sector, aggregate price plans rose and pointed more strongly than usual toward higher selling prices, particularly in manufacturing and retail.
2026-04-29
Sweden Economic Confidence Little Changed
Sweden’s Economic Tendency Indicator edged up to 99.9 in March 2026 from a revised 99.7 in February, still pointing to sentiment in line with normal conditions. Business confidence remained broadly stable, with all sectors at typical levels except construction, where sentiment strengthened further to above normal, supported by more optimistic employment plans. Manufacturing sentiment also improved, mainly driven by stronger production expectations. In contrast, retail trade weakened sharply, reflecting downgraded sales expectations and a softer view of recent activity, while confidence in the services sector also declined. Consumer sentiment remained below normal, as more pessimistic expectations for the Swedish economy and household finances, along with caution toward major purchases, continued to weigh. Firms expect to raise selling prices at a normal pace, though retail pricing plans remain subdued due to expected price cuts following the VAT reduction on food.
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Sweden Economic Confidence Weakens in February
Sweden’s Economic Tendency Indicator declined to 100.1 in February 2026, the lowest level since late October, down from 102.9 in January. Manufacturing softened mainly due to subdued production plans that fell below historical averages, although relatively low finished-goods inventories provided some support. Confidence in both the trade and service sectors also weakened, with trade sentiment pressured by lower sales volumes over the past three months, partly offset by improved expectations for future sales. In the service sector, weaker recent activity and demand drove the decline. In contrast, construction confidence improved, supported by more optimistic hiring plans and a less negative assessment of order books. Consumer confidence also strengthened, reflecting a more positive view of household finances and the Swedish economy compared with a year earlier, although sentiment remained below normal levels.
2026-02-26