Norway Business Survey Backs Views for Steady Rate Near Term

A key survey of Norway’s business sentiment signaled somewhat better prospects for the nation’s companies, cementing analyst expectations that the central bank will signal higher rates for longer at its meeting next week.

Output is seen growing 0.4% next quarter, faster than the 0.3% estimated for the current three-month period, Norges Bank said on Thursday, citing its regional network contacts. The projection for the current quarter matched its previous survey in December. Survey contacts are now projecting wage growth of 4.2% this year, up from the previous estimate of 4.1%.