Swedish Fund Manager Divests from SKF and ABB Amid Inflation and Market Shifts

Lars-Erik Lundgren, portfolio manager of Aktie-ansvar, discussed significant strategic investment moves during an appearance on Börsmorgon on November 13, 2025. The fund has sold all its shares in major industrial companies SKF and ABB, signaling a notable realignment in its investment portfolio amid changing market conditions. Lundgren explained the divestment as a deliberate shift in response to evolving economic factors.

The Swedish stock market opened cautiously positive, despite a substantial downturn in the shares of Surgical Science, which faced a double-digit decline. Concurrently, inflation pressures in Sweden have intensified, primarily driven by rising food prices, contributing to the inflationary environment surveyed by market experts.

In other corporate developments, Essity announced a significant acquisition valued at around one billion dollars in North America. The acquisition aims to unlock substantial cost savings, indicating a strategic growth and efficiency focus. Meanwhile, retail giant H&M is reportedly benefiting from favorable market conditions, enhancing its performance prospects.

Notably, Samhällsbyggnadsbolaget i Norden (SBB) recently sold all its community properties to PPI. However, Lundgren described this transaction as a financial necessity for SBB rather than a strategic move, underscoring the challenging financial landscape for some property operators.

These shifts reflect a broader recalibration within Swedish corporate and investment sectors as they navigate inflationary pressure, shifting market dynamics, and strategic growth opportunities.