More NewsFinancial Officers Still Positive, Finds SEB Survey

Financial Officers Still Positive, Finds SEB Survey

Swedish and Norwegian financial officers remain optimistic regarding future developments, according to a survey by Nordic bank SEB. Business conditions improved strongly last autumn and are still considered favourable, a view corroborated by robust financial positions among companies and continued willingness of banks to extend credit to companies. SEB’s respondents’ positive view is also supported by businesses’ greater preparedness to use potential liquidity surpluses for investment rather than debt reduction.

The survey also found that while declining demand remains an issue, it is of less concern than previously. The slight decline in index values reported mainly reflects worries regarding the development of credit spreads and equity markets, probably due to economic instability in several European countries and their respective banking systems.

SEB’s Financial Officers’ survey, addressed to over 100 of the largest companies in Sweden and Norway, shows that respondents have remained optimistic over the winter. SEB’s Financial Officers’ Index for Sweden published today stands at 65, down from 66 in November, while the corresponding index for Norway stands at 64, down from 65 in November.

Raw Material Costs and Labour Shortage Growing Concerns

“While financial officers in both Sweden and Norway continue to rank demand as their greatest concern for the future, Swedish respondents are much more worried by rising raw material costs. This is not an issue in Norway, where the lack of a qualified workforce and high labour costs are more problematic. Indeed, some 65 percent of Norwegian financial officers believe they will employ more staff in Norway in the next six months while only 22 percent of their Swedish counterparts have the same expectation,” said Ebba Lindahl, head of credit research at SEB and credit analyst Henrik Blymke.

More Significant Price Increases Imminent in Sweden

In Norway fewer financial officers (41%) now expect their companies to raise prices than in November (63%). This is in sharp contrast to Sweden, where an increasing share of respondents (71% in February compared to 62% in November) expects to raise prices during the next six months. A similar percentage of Swedish financial officers (68%) believe they will be able to compensate for higher raw material costs by increasing prices.

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