FX.co ★ Sweden Business Mood Improves in April

Sweden's business confidence index increased to 99.9 in April 2025, up from a previously revised 98.9 in March, suggesting stable sentiment that hovers around its historical average of 100. Despite this, businesses maintained a pessimistic outlook on demand conditions, registering a balance of -28 compared to -27 in March. There was also an observed decline in employment over the past three months, with a shift from -3 to -4. However, employment levels are anticipated to remain relatively steady in the short term, with expectations adjusting from 4 to 1. Additionally, net sales price expectations remained unchanged in April at 23, following a four-month period of increases, indicating continued above-normal price pressures. Adjusted for seasonal variations on a quarterly basis, firms noted a minor reduction in labor shortages, shifting from 23 to 21, whereas profitability metrics continued to underperform across various sectors, moving slightly from -16 to -15. Finally, inflation expectations over the next 12 months saw an increase, rising to 2.7% from 1.7% in January.