SWEDEN Trends and Developments Contributed by: Louise Rodebjer, Ólafur Steindórsson, Per Dalemo and Johannes Wårdman, CMS Wistrand
ing or investing in AI companies. For 2026, AI remains one of the most active areas for M&A deal thesis for - mation both in Sweden and across Europe. A Positive Ending After a challenging first half of 2025, momentum built strongly in the second half of the year. The Swedish Central Bank’s easing cycle, completed by October 2025, has improved financing conditions, and greater policy visibility has allowed pent-up deal demand to materialise. Swedish private equity funds – sitting on substantial accumulated dry powder – are under increasing pressure to deploy capital and monetise holdings. As 2026 begins, deal makers are cautiously opti - mistic. The multiple drivers supporting an active deal market – improving macro conditions, strategic need for capability and scale, the AI transformation thesis, large pools of private equity dry powder, and a strengthening IPO market – are all in place. For Sweden specifically, the historic ramp-up in defence spending is expected to generate significant defence industry M&A, while the broader economic recovery should support improved valuations and greater align - ment between buyers and sellers. If macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions do not deteriorate further, 2026 has the potential to be among the most active M&A years in Sweden for some time.
1254 CHAMBERS.COM
Powered by FlippingBook