The Swedish machinery industry has shown several years of positive development. Machinery production is expected to grow 2.3% in 2016 and 0.9% in 2017.
- The Swedish machinery sector is highly export-oriented. Its main segments are automotive (trucks), agriculture and industrial machines. Currency volatility is a potential risk, as production costs are accrued in Swedish krona. Domestically, the largest customer of the Swedish machinery sector is the automotive industry (e.g. Volvo and Scania).
- The industry has shown several years of positive development. Sweden’s economic growth has picked up 4.2% in 2015 and is forecast to increase 3.6% in 2016. As a result, capital expenditures continue to increase. Machinery production is expected to grow 2.3% in 2016 and 0.9% in 2017.
- Due to the benign growth outlook, profit margins of machines businesses are expected to remain stable in 2016.
- The machinery industry faces no particular lending problems as banks are generally willing to provide loans. Most companies benefit from the currently low interest rates when servicing their debt.
- The average payment duration in the machinery industry ranges from 30 to 45 days. Payment behaviour has been good over the last two years and the number of payment delays, defaults and insolvencies is expected to remain low in 2016.
- Due to the good growth prospects and low credit risk our underwriting stance is relaxed for this industry.
Related documents
Market Monitor Machines August 2016
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