Swedish companies optimistic about business prospects

Business conditions for companies in Sweden have continued to improve since the autumn, and forecasts by Swedish business representatives for continued business growth this spring are optimistic, according to a recent study by Statistics Sweden (Statistiska Centralbyrån).

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Representatives from all industries, with the exception of the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, are positive about business growth through the summer.

Despite giving the second most positive business assessment in a similar study conducted last fall, 55 percent of chemical and pharmaceutical industry representatives surveyed said they believe that the peak for business growth had passed.

Other industries were far more positive compared to the previous study, also conducted by Statistics Sweden.

The greatest increases in business optimism occurred in the hotel/restaurant and metal industries.

Both sectors, which were on the lower half of the list in the autumn survey, are now among the most positive industries in Sweden, according to the government statistics authority.

Moderate optimism about business growth was expressed in the manufacturing and construction industries as well, while business growth forecasts for the retail industry remained unchanged.

Statistics Sweden’s study was conducted through telephone interviews with management representatives from 323 companies and 18 industries from March 6th to March 17th.

TT/Jody Sherwood