• Sweden edition
Business & Money

Interest rates to stay low until autumn 2010

Published: 3 Sep 09 12:22 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/21860/20090903/

Sweden’s central bank has pledged to hold its benchmark interest rate, the repo rate, at 0.25 percent until next autumn in a bid to keep interest rates low for business and households.

The repo rate is the discount rate at which the central bank repurchases government securities from the commercial banks. A low repo rate mean that banks can swap their holdings of government securities for cash cheaply, which increases the money supply and puts downward pressure on general interest rates.

While the Riksbank noted signs of a turnaround in the economy, it said the recovery is from a low level, and so its decision to keep interest rates low should continue to stimulate the economy. The central bank expects the rate to remain at 0.25 percent until autumn 2010.

The Riksbank also announced further measures that should lead to lower interest rates for both companies and households: “The Riksbank has decided to offer further loans totalling SEK 100 billion to the banks at a fixed interest rate and with a maturity of approximately 12 months. This should contribute to continued lower interest rates on loans to companies and households,” the central bank said in a press release.

While the Riksbank believes that Sweden will return to positive economic growth by the end of the year, it does not see the job market improving until 2011.

Stuart Roberts (news@thelocal.se)

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.

13:42 September 3, 2009 by mayank.mail
Whats the interest rate applicable on retail loans for individuals?

Also is it a good idea to borrow from here and invest in other countries with higher interest rates?

Presuming ofcourse that Krona does not rise very high very fast.. Anycase i think its a good decision as it would lead to much more credit flow to the end user and hence the recovery would be robust and not short lived..
16:06 September 3, 2009 by Jan M
Two questions:-

1. When the Riksbank makes 100 billion kronor available where does that money come from? Tax income/public debt?

2. If businesses and households establish themselves based on credit secured at historically low rates of interest how do you ensure a sustainable economic base for a 10-20 year period?

3. If the answers to 1. and 2. suggest that this is simply inflating a bubble in the short term how is this good for Sweden?
22:30 September 3, 2009 by henry.bn
If the exchange rate movements are any guide, one must take the verdict as being bad for Sweden.
00:56 September 4, 2009 by Kr0n
WELL DONE, SWEDEN! This is THE way to go if one wants to get out of the crisis and into a prosperous society! Sweden, being one of the true social-oriented countries in the world, has made a small, but important step towards an interest-free monetary system. Please read Silvio Gesell's "The Natural Economic Order" about how interest-free money can revolutionize crisis-hit economies:

http://www.appropriate-economics.org/ebooks/neo/neo.htm
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 Regulatory Affairs Associate
Poolia AB
Göteborg
14/02 System developer within Q&A (Java och C) in Mid Sweden
Qwork AB
Karlstad
14/02 Technical Sales Service Specialist (m/f)
MWV
Home Office
14/02 UX Engineer (.NET) - Limited Contract
Monster
Prague
14/02 Software Engineer - Gameplay/Audio
EA DICE
Stockholm
14/02 IT Development Graduates
Danske Bank
Copenhagen
14/02 UX Engineer
Monster
Prague
14/02 YOUNG TALENT PROGRAM - AUTOMATION ENGINEER FOOD PROCESSING
Tetra Pak
Lund
14/02 Quality Manager
Volvo information Technology AB
Göteborg
14/02 Surveillance Advisor, Sweden
NASDAQ OMX
stockholm

ALL JOBS »


Latest Business & Money news from Germany
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
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