Retailers and fund managers clap hands as households' assets have ceased to decrease in value.

As summer is rushing nearer, times might even be beginning to brighten up for the Swedes' economy. The value of households' financial assets sank seven straight quarters in a row, but in this year's first quarter a small increase was seen, new figures Statistics Sweden and Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority showed on Friday.

The assets’ value increased by 61 billion kronor to 4,688 billion kronor, while the households' financial savings amounted to 16 billion kronor in the first quarter. A year ago, savings just reached 3 billion kronor.

Figures from the Swedish Trade Federation, representing 13,000 member businesses in retail and wholesale commerce, also support the new-born optimism that flourishes among Swedish consumers as the retailers outlook for May is surprisingly cheerful.

“It’s been a massive recovery compared to how it looked at the turn of the year. The major consumer groups still hold employment and by that have more money to spend then last year considering the low interest rate and tax reductions”, says Yvonne Ingman, vide president at the Swedish Trade Federation.

Less money was saved in the bank during the first quarter. Instead, Swedes put their faith in funds and other financial investments. The households' deposits with other monetary financial institutions increased by 1.4 billion kronor. The main savings form that shored up the numbers for households’ investments was insurance savings.

Households had a slightly negative net savings in shares, which means they sold slightly more than they purchased, while they had a cautiously positive net savings in funds.

Figures from the Swedish Investment Fund Association also points at an increased interest for placing money in funds. April represented the fifth month in a row with net inflows into investment funds. Total net sales of funds amounted to 7.5 billion kronor, up from 6 billion kronor in March.

"April saw a stock market rally and the statistics show that many investors are now interested in equity funds and balanced funds”, said Pia Nilsson, Managing director of the Swedish Investment Fund Association.

During the first quarter, households' debts increased by 34 billion kronor, which is a lower increase in debt than was seen in the first quarters of 2008 and 2007 when the increase in debt was SEK 44 billion and SEK 36 billion.