Article: SWEDEN: Surveys, forecasts and hard data all point to still buoyant economy; inflation jumped to 1.1% in March, consensus still expects June rate rise

Recent weeks have been full of survey-based data rather than hard official statistics, and the forward-looking and relentlessly cheerful nature of the surveys makes it virtually impossible to have anything other than an optimistic view of the economy over the next 12-18 months. Even the official statistics - on industrial output, unemployment, retail sales and inflation - were upbeat and although the government was always going to put a positive spin on economic affairs ahead of this year's election, for which it is currently lagging in the polls, it is difficult to disagree with its forecast of 3.7% GDP growth for 2006. With activity buoyant and inflation up to 1.1% in March, the consensus ...

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