• Sweden edition
Business & Money

Swedish economy growing again: report

Published: 29 Jul 09 15:15 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/20982/20090729/

Growth has returned to the Swedish economy on a quarterly basis, according to a new report from the Scandinavian bank Nordea.

The report's optimistic forecast sticks out among market commentators, who generally expect further GDP falls this year.

According to Nordea economists Sweden's GDP climbed by 0.3 percent during the second quarter in comparison with the first.

The bank's forecasters therefore warn of the need to raise the benchmark interest rate (repo rate) "significantly earlier" than the turn of the year 2011, which is the latest indication from Riksbanken.

Key factors behind the turn in the country's economic fortunes are concluded to be stronger private consumption and a more stable trade balance, Nordea argues.

"Tax cuts, low interest rates and climbing stock markets stimulate consumption," Nordea writes.

But even if the economic nadir has passed for this recession, 2009 is set to go down as one of the weakest years for growth in living memory.

On an annualized basis Nordea calculates that the recession has negatively impacted Swedish GDP by 5.7 percent.

Nordea's forecast is more positive than its finance sector colleagues, according to a survey by news agency Reuters.

The average forecast for the second quarter indicates a GDP decline of 0.4 percent on a quarterly basis and down 6.6 percent year-on-year.

This would mean that the record 6.5 percent annualized fall in the first quarter would be exceeded.

According to Olle Holmgren at Swedish bank SEB, talking to Reuters, GDP is still been hit by weak exports and lower levels of investment.

Riksbanken, which in July cut base rates to a record low 0.25 percent to stimulate growth, expects GDP for 2009 to be 5.4 percent lower that 2008 and will be followed by weak growth in 2010.

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

18:04 July 29, 2009 by rifram
well, as far as the second quarter is concerned, SCB will publish the outcome on Friday.
18:30 July 30, 2009 by skane refugee
misleading headline or what?!

thought this was referring to the official Q2 numbers ;o)
09:35 August 3, 2009 by bettan1
I've seen this same news being spouted by media reports from the USA. Shouting out that various companies showing profit again and investors starting to invest again based on these reports is alo proof there is a turn around. However, one business commentator had it right on. He said in all honesty that what is not being considered is that many of these book keeping records espousing company profits are not being honest in revealing to the public that it was the drastic measures of downsizing layoffs and cost cutting that makes the books more profitable.

Also, here in Sweden, there are several industries which provide services and goods that people still require as a necessity that were really never effected by all of this global economic downturn. One is Telia (phone company) where my wife works. They did'nt have to downsize, but they did anyway and doubled the work load on those people they've kept.
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Business & Money headlines

EU to probe Sweden's 'economic imbalance'

Sweden is among twelve countries set to be discussed in a report from the EU commission, due to what the European Commission has identified as imbalances in the economy. READ (7 COMMENTS) »

House prices in Sweden begin upward climb

House prices in Sweden begin upward climb

After observing a slight rise in real estate prices after the first month of 2012, Swedish realtors are hoping that this may be the beginning of a positive trend after last year's plummeting prices. READ »

Swedish recruiters check jobseekers on the net

Swedish recruiters check jobseekers on the net

40 percent of recruiters are checking potential employee’s social networking pages during the hiring process, a figure which has shot up from last year, according to a recent report. READ (3 COMMENTS) »

Narcolepsy victims in new compensation bid

Narcolepsy victims in new compensation bid

Families of children in Sweden suffering from narcolepsy caused by vaccination for the swine flu can expect some form of compensation, Swedish health minister Göran Hägglund said on Sunday in response to new calls for help from parents. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Saab shares dive despite strong 2011 report

Saab shares dive despite strong 2011 report

Swedish defence group Saab on Friday reported a major boost in earnings for 2011 thanks to winning several major contracts, but a drop in orders left investors jittery, sending Saab's stock price down nearly 10 percent. READ (3 COMMENTS) »

Mats Sundin in massive kid's health research gift

Mats Sundin in massive kid's health research gift

Mats Sundin, the ex-Swedish hockey great, has made a donation supporting research into children's health at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm and the University of Toronto. READ (5 COMMENTS) »

H&M under fire over Cambodia mass faintings

H&M under fire over Cambodia mass faintings

H&M has been criticized for choosing not to attend a hearing to highlight poor conditions for textile workers in Cambodia, where hundreds of employees at a plant run by the Swedish fashion giant mysteriously passed out in August. READ (6 COMMENTS) »

SAS earnings hit by Spanair bankruptcy

SAS earnings hit by Spanair bankruptcy

The bankruptcy of Spanair pulled SAS into the red for 2011, despite improved operating profits, the Scandinavian airline reported on Wednesday. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Saab to cut Swiss Gripen fighter price: report

Saab to cut Swiss Gripen fighter price: report

Swedish defence group Saab have announced that it will cut the price on its Gripen fighter jet to secure its Swiss order after a threat by French planemaker Dassault to undercut them. READ (6 COMMENTS) »

A file image of a worker at a Volvo Cars assembly plant

Few Swedes ready to work until they're 75: poll

An overwhelming majority of Swedes disagree with Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt's suggestion that workers should be ready to stay on the job until they are 75, a new poll shows. READ (34 COMMENTS) »

More Business & Money

Highlights from Follow Sweden

20 things to know before moving to Sweden

As diverse as Sweden is, there are a few societal norms that are distinctly Swedish. Understanding a handful of them will hopefully prepare you culturally before you relocate. When you're invited home to a Swede, you better be on time and take your shoes off, writes expat Lola Akinmade-Åkerström. Read more »

How far can English take you in Sweden?

Sweden is a country where almost everyone can speak English. So why bother to learn Swedish? Edina Varnagy from Hungary managed with English for a whole year but then found that Swedish could open doors – to a job, a social life and greater understanding. Read more »


Find a new job in Sweden now
14/02 Business oriented Legal Counsel to Klarna
Klarna AB
Stockholm
14/02 Quality Manager
Volvo information Technology AB
Göteborg
14/02 Software Engineer (.NET) - Limited Contract
Monster
Prague
14/02 Build Master
Volvo information Technology AB
Göteborg
14/02 YOUNG TALENT PROGRAM - AUTOMATION ENGINEER FOOD PROCESSING
Tetra Pak
Lund
14/02 Key Account Manager Food
Borregaard
Sarpsborg
14/02 System developer within Q&A (Java och C) in Mid Sweden
Qwork AB
Karlstad
14/02 Regulatory Affairs Associate
Poolia AB
Göteborg
14/02 IT Development Graduates
Danske Bank
Copenhagen
14/02 Channel Marketing Campaign Manager/Specialist - B2B
SAP
Stockholm

ALL JOBS »


Latest Business & Money news from Germany
English Speaking Therapist Stockholm
British-Australian Male Counsellor. Counselling Therapy for Depression, Mental Health, Sex, Relationship & Expat Issues
08-559 22 636 or CLICK HERE
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Doctor of Psychology
Therapy in English in Stockholm Trained in California Individuals & Couples (08) 93 81 48 FREE phone consultation
Visit anxiousorblue.se
Get on the Tennis Court with www.babolatshop.se
The new Online Tennis Store with the largest selection of Babolat Products in Sweden
http://www.babolatshop.se
Turning Point Counseling
Turning Point Counselling centre offers the international community of Stockholm a safe space for personal development, counselling and coaching.
http://www.turning-point.se/show.asp
Swedish Down Town
Swedish Down Town PR Consulting and Productions is an innovative business company which provides valuable assistance with Public Relations and Communications in the swedish and the international market.
www.swedishdowntown.com
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS