Sweden Economic Sentiment Picks Up

Sweden’s Economic Tendency Indicator climbed to 101.7 in June 2026 from an upwardly revised 99.9 in the prior month, marking the highest print since July 2022. Manufacturing confidence hit its highest since December 2022 (105.1 vs 101.4 in May), as all components strengthened, notably inventories, with fewer firms reporting excess stock, while order books improved in both domestic and export markets. Services sentiment edged up (101.9 vs 101.5), lifted by professional activities, while consumer mood rose modestly (93.6 vs 92.8) but stayed below normal. In contrast, construction sentiment slipped (97.3 vs 99.4), reflecting revised employment plans. Retail trade eased (108.4 vs 110.5), though it remained the strongest sector overall. Price plans eased across industries, with fewer firms intending to raise prices, yet levels stayed above normal. Manufacturing was the only sector where price plans remained elevated, while construction and retail declined, and services were unchanged.

Sweden’s Economic Tendency Indicator edged up to 99.3 in May 2026 from a seventh-month low of 99.2 in April. Trade remains the only sector where sentiment is stronger than normal (109.1 vs 108.3 in April), due to few firms reporting large inventories, while their assessments of sales volumes over the past three months and expectations for the next three months are also positive. Consumer confidence improved but remained below normal (92.4 vs 91.7). Manufacturing sentiment rose slightly (100.5 vs 100), with production increases matching historical average. Meanwhile, sentiment deteriorated in construction (99.6 vs 100.3), as firms continued to report relatively weak order books, but they expect an increase over the next three months. The same trend was seen in the private services sector (101.3 vs 101.9), amid a still-negative assessment of outstanding business volumes. The share of firms expecting to raise prices over the next three months rose sharply and is now well above normal.

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.