Despite the recent fall in prices, those who chose to enter the Stockholm Stock Exchange after the outbreak of the pandemic have been able to enjoy an almost-70-percent increase in the key OMXS index for the Stockholm Stock Exchange.

Last year, the bourse saw a 35 percent rise, the largest annual rise since 2009.

Of the country’s 349 elected members of parliament, more and more have chosen to jump on the bandwagon in recent years. TT’s review shows that on March 1st, 54 of the MPs reported a holding that exceeded SEK 94,600 in an individual company, the limit for declaring shareholdings.

The figure can be compared with 43 in March 2020 and 36 in November 2019 when Swedish financial newspaper Dagens industri compiled a similar report.

Not unproblematic

One of those with the largest holdings, Mattias Bäckström Johansson, of the right-wing populist Sweden Democrats, admits that it may not seem completely unproblematic, but also sees a point in politicians actually owning shares as, according to him, it provides greater knowledge.

“It can be problematic insofar as there may be conflicts of interest, therefore transparency is extremely important and this could be increased further. On the other hand, I am a little surprised that so few members of parliament are shareholders,” he said.

Most of the MPs who have holdings have chosen large Swedish companies, such as Volvo, Investor or Ericsson.

Perhaps more surprising is that tobacco company Swedish Match is represented among seven members.

“I personally like their work on a smoke-free future and that they intend to phase out the last smoking products,” Bäckström Johansson said.

Swedish Match announced in 2021 that it wanted to spin off its cigar business after selling its cigarette business in 1999.

Saab in the portfolio

As well as Bäckström Johansson, a couple of other MPs, Tomas Kronståhl (Swedish Social Democratic Party) and Johan Forssell (Swedish Moderate Party), have chosen to invest in various gaming companies.

Forssell’s portfolio contains Swedish mobile gaming company LeoVegas and American online casino company Rush Street Interactive. He also has a holding in Swedish defence group Saab.

Forssell points out that it’s important to make one’s own assessment in such sectors.

“In a troubled world, democracies must be able to be defended, we see what is happening in Ukraine. I question the description that it would not be sustainable to invest in, for example, Saab. I follow the company as a shareholder and see no problem investing in Saab. In many ways I am a very proud shareholder in the Swedish defence industry.”

Forssell and Oscar Sjöstedt (Sweden Democrats) are the two MPs with the largest portfolios. Forssell has stated that he has 38 holdings which are worth at least SEK 94,600. In addition to Swedish shares he also holds stakes in Apple, Amazon and Alphabet, among others. The smallest possible value of his portfolio is therefore almost SEK 3.6 million.

“For me, it is an obvious question, we have some of the world’s finest companies in Sweden. Being able to save in them means that you get a greater interest in economic policy and what creates growth. I think this makes me a better member of parliament and that more people should do it,” he said.

Out of all the parliamentary parties, the Moderates have the most shareholders (16), followed by the Sweden Democrats (15) and the Social Democrats (9).

The Left Party and the Green Party each have only one MP on the list of those who have reported holdings.

With holdings in Cloetta and H&M, Sweden Democrats’ leader Jimmie Åkesson is the only party leader who has qualified for declaring his stocks.

However, if there were to be a change of power this autumn and Forssell were to be part of a government, he does not promise that he would sell his shares.

“I follow the rules that the Riksdag set up and will of course do so even if we join the government,” he said.

Asked whether he saw any difference in holding stocks if you’re in power, he said: “It is possible there is a greater risk of non-compliance, but then there are ways to handle it and there are people in the government today who have fund portfolios.”