Norwegian business growth expectations ease, SpareBank 1 Sør-Norge survey shows
SPY•SpareBank 1 Sør-Norge’s autumn business confidence index fell to 51% from 53%, its lowest level since spring 2023. Profitability and order backlog expectations were 49%, while employment expectations dropped to 52% from 56%.
1. Business outlook softens
SpareBank 1 Sør-Norge’s autumn business confidence index fell to 51% from 53%, its lowest since spring 2023. Profitability and order backlog expectations both stood at 49%, below the neutral 50% threshold, while employment expectations fell to 52% from 56%, with more businesses planning workforce reductions. Manufacturing supported the overall outlook, while construction remained contractionary despite rising to 47% from 42%; western regions outperformed the east.
