OSLO (Reuters) -Norwegian companies expect output growth to remain elevated through the second half of 2025 and plan to increase the number of employees through the autumn, a central bank survey showed on Thursday.
“Contacts expect somewhat higher investment in 2025 than in 2024 and growth to remain firm in 2026,” the central bank said in a statement.
The business survey, which is key to monetary policy, was released one week before Norges Bank’s next interest rate decision on September 18.
“A number of contacts point out that there is still uncertainty related to international trade barriers and some cite greater customer caution,” the central bank said.
Participants in the survey maintained their annual wage growth projections for 2025 of 4.5%, and for 4.0% next year.
Inflation data published on Wednesday pointed to an underlying increase in Norwegian consumer prices, which analysts said could cast doubt on Norges Bank’s stated aim to further cut interest rates this year.
(Reporting by Terje Solsvik, editing by Anna Ringstrom)
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