FX.co ★ Sweden Business Confidence Hits 6-Month Low

Sweden’s business confidence barometer eased to 102.3 in March 2026 from a downwardly revised 104 in February, marking its lowest level since September of the previous year while still indicating a broadly neutral business climate. Companies’ assessment of demand (-24 vs -25 in February) was essentially unchanged and remained slightly weaker than normal overall, with the trade sector appearing comparatively more stable. Employment expectations (-7 vs -6) deteriorated across all sectors, although hiring plans (4 vs 5) point to a modest increase in staffing over the next three months. Price expectations (13 vs 12) stayed broadly in line with typical levels, but pricing power weakened in the trade sector, particularly among grocery retailers, where price cuts are anticipated, partly in response to the forthcoming VAT reduction on food. Investment intentions were mixed: manufacturing firms expect investment to remain broadly unchanged this year, while service-sector companies report a more optimistic investment outlook.