Swedish direct investment assets abroad SEK 1,277 billion

The value of Swedish direct investments assets abroad amounted to SEK 1,277 billion at the end of 2001. Foreign-owned direct investment assets in Sweden totalled SEK 981 billion for the same period. This is the result of the Riksbank's annual direct investment survey, which is published today.

Swedish direct investment assets abroad increased in value by SEK 129 billion last year. Just over half of this increase was due to a depreciation in the krona. The remainder stems from company acquisitions, group restructuring and reinvested profits. The industry breakdown indicates that it is primarily the manufacturing industry and the banking and insurance sector, which have increased their assets most over the year.
The return on direct investment assets abroad amounted to SEK 97 billion, which was SEK 14 billion lower than the figure for 2000. Assets in almost all industries showed a lower return.

The value of the foreign-owned direct investments assets in Sweden amounted to SEK 981 billion at the end of 2001, an increase of SEK 84 billion on 2000. This increase is primarily due to continued foreign acquisitions of Swedish companies, as well as some major group restructuring. The survey shows that the increase in assets in Sweden was mainly in manufacturing companies as well as the banking and energy sectors. The return on foreign-owned Swedish companies amounted to SEK 44 billion, which is SEK 26 billion lower than the previous year. Almost all industries, with the exception of the forestry industry, showed a lower return.

Income on direct investment assets is booked in the current account of the Swedish balance of payments. According to the results of the current survey, income on direct investment assets adds up to a positive net figure of SEK 53 billion for 2001. This figure replaces the earlier preliminary data and thereby entails an upward revision of approximately SEK 18 billion to the balance on the current account.

More detailed information in tabular form can be found at the Riksbank's website. A complete report will be available from the middle of January 2003.

Further information can be obtained from the Monetary Policy Department, Division for Balance of Payments Statistics, Maria Falk, tel.: +46-8-787 03 68, or Anders Lindström, tel.: +46-8-787 05 60.