Economy

Swedish interest rates
Analysis: Going in the right direction – but perhaps too slowly

The Riksbank's expected announcement to leave the interest rate at 1.75 percent is causing pundits to breathe a sigh of relief.

Dagens Industri's Nils Åkesson believes that the Riksbank is showing self-confidence and offering little news, but that there is continued uncertainty about the strength of the recovery.

"The probability that the interest rate will be lowered a little more in the coming year can be said to be clearly higher than that a first increase will come faster than planned," he writes.

Andreas Cervenka at Aftonbladet believes that the development is finally going in the right direction, "but at a fairly leisurely pace."

"What is a little worrying is that the lift is not even stronger," he writes.

New obesity drugs
Novo Nordisk fails – shares fall

The Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk reports an operating profit and net sales that are below analysts' forecasts, according to the interim report.

"Although we had strong sales growth in the first nine months of 2025, the lower growth expectations for our GLP-1 treatments have led to a narrower forecast," writes CEO Mike Doustdar.

In connection with the report, Novo Nordisk is adjusting its growth forecasts down. The company now expects revenue growth of 8-11 percent compared to the previous 8-14 percent, and operating profit is expected to land at 4-7 percent compared to the previous 10-16 percent. 

Reactions to the elections in the US
New York's wealthy cautiously positive for Mamdani

Parts of Wall Street are said to be turning on their heels to cautiously positive for New York's new mayor Zohran Mamdani, reports the FT.

Many wealthy people have been skeptical of the 34-year-old Democrat and socialist mayor, partly because of his plans for higher taxes on incomes over $1 million. But in recent weeks, skepticism has softened, after Mamdani intensified his contacts with the business community and held meetings with several CEOs.

Ralph Schlosstein, chairman emeritus of investment bank Evercore, says it’s time for New York to come together after a bitter election.

“The turnout is amazing. Incredible. The largest I think ever for a mayoral election. So huge kudos to him for inspiring the voters,” says Schlosstein.

Meanwhile, many contributors remain skeptical of Mamdani. One hedge fund manager is concerned that crime will increase with Mamdani at the helm, while another says Mamdani’s move toward the center seems “a little dishonest.”