Executive Board has decided to leave the repo rate unchanged at 0.25 percent. At the same time are now assessing the economic recovery rests on firmer ground, and that therefore there is reason to raise interest rates slightly earlier than the assessment in December. The repo rate is expected to increase from summer or early autumn. Cyclical upturn on firmer ground The upturn in the economy has gradually become more and more clear. Growth in the world has been slightly higher. In Sweden, inflation has risen in recent months and developments in the labor market does not look to be as weak as in previous assessments. While the situation in financial markets has been steadily improving. (more...)