The value of the Swedish state’s stock portfolio has grown by 55 billion kronor ($7.66 billion) in 2009. Its current worth is somewhat larger than it was in the first half of 2007 before the financial crisis hit, reports Svenska Dagbladet newspaper.

At the beginning of 2009, the state’s shares in Nordea, Telia Sonera and SAS were valued at just under 95 billion kronor, the Svenska Dagbladet (SvD) newspaper reports.

As of Monday, the portfolio’s value had grown by 58 percent to 150 billion kronor, outpacing the 48 percent growth posted by the Stockholm stock exchange during 2009.

According to the E24.se financial news website, Nordea has been the main growth driver for Sweden’s investment portfolio.

Shares in the Nordic banking group have seen their value climb by 74 percent since the beginning of 2009. The value of SAS shares, on the other hand, has decreased by 32 percent.

The rise in the value of the Swedish state’s holding puts it back in the top spot as largest shareholder on the Stockholm exchange, a position it lost earlier in the year to Hennes & Mauritz owner Stefan Persson.

Persson’s shares in the clothing retailer are now valued at 116 billion kronor, up 32 percent for the year.