Over the past six months, financing needs have decreased slightly for both large and small companies. In the Fall Export Credit Trends Survey , 76% of large companies reported that their financing needs have remained unchanged or decreased, compared to 72% in the spring survey.

For small companies, 86% reported that their financing needs are unchanged or have decreased, compared to 80% in the spring survey. How companies perceive their financing needs is linked to the current high interest rates, according to SEK’s head of investor relations and macroeconomic analysis, Erik Hådén.

“The recent high interest rates make many projects requiring large investments difficult to justify. As a result, many companies choose to pause investments and projects, leading to a lower demand for financing”, says Erik Hådén.

However, as interest rates are expected to continue to fall, the situation looks different going forward. With lower interest rates, companies have more room to raise financing, and both large and small companies foresee an increased need for financing. The increase is particularly significant among large companies, with 28% expecting higher financing needs in the next 12 months.

“It is positive that companies are seeing an increased need for financing, as this suggests that important investments and projects are expected to pick up again. These cannot be paused for too long without risking falling behind in areas like innovation and competitiveness. Therefore, further reductions in the key interest rate are positive for Swedish export companies”, says Erik Hådén.

About the Export Credit Trends Survey
The Export Credit Trends Survey from Swedish Export Credit (SEK) is a barometer of the Swedish export industry and has been conducted every spring and fall since 2013. The survey targets export companies with a turnover of at least SEK 25 million and an export share of at least 50%, looking at the companies’ financial situation, export order intake, employment plans, and views on interest rates and the exchange rate.

About Swedish Export Credit Corporation (SEK)
Swedish Export Credit Corporation (SEK) is a government-owned commercial company that finances export companies, their suppliers, and international buyers of Swedish goods and services. Financing from SEK enables companies to grow and contributes to jobs and growth in Sweden. SEK also finances the industry’s transition to reduce environmental impact in Sweden.