Swedish Construction Firm NCC Reports Q3 Growth Amid Rising Housing Cooperative Costs

Sweden's construction sector shows signs of recovery with NCC, a leading construction company, reporting increased order intake for the fourth consecutive quarter in Q3 2026. The company's operating profit rose to 831 million kronor, up from 767 million kronor the previous year. Growth was mainly driven by projects related to military and safety-classified buildings, and NCC secured a contract for high-voltage line construction in Västra Götaland. Meanwhile, the broader housing sector faces rising operational costs, as revealed by SBC's BRF-index. Operating expenses for housing cooperatives increased by 7.4% compared to the previous year, reaching an average of 662,944 SEK per cooperative. Electricity costs surged 25%, water and waste costs increased by 11.5%, heating costs by 3.7%, and other expenses rose by 15.2%. Despite stable and declining interest expenses, the elevated cost pressure demands diligent financial management from housing cooperative boards. Jenny Söderberg, an economic expert at SBC, emphasized the importance of maintaining good financial margins and basing budgets on realistic assumptions. These developments highlight a mixed economic picture for Sweden's construction and housing sectors, with NCC's growth reflecting a strengthening economy even as housing cooperatives grapple with increased running costs.