We at Kraft Finans are proud to strengthen our investment in the Kraft Funds with the appointment of Stein Svalestad as the new CEO of the funds. Svalestad also fills the role of deputy CEO of Kraft Finans and not least portfolio manager of Forte Bondasjon.
– We are delighted to have Stein on the team. His expertise and experience will be important as both the Kraft Funds and Kraft Finans as a company grow further in the years to come,” says CEO of Kraft Finans, Sveinung Byberg.
Stein Svalestad comes from the position of CEO of SKAGEN AS, a role he took up in 2023. He joined the SKAGEN company in 2015 as a portfolio strategist, and has since 2017 been responsible as a portfolio manager. Previously, he has also worked as an analyst and investment consultant at Gabler Investment Consulting AS.
Svalestad has a master’s degree in economics from the University of Bergen and is a certified NFF fixed income analyst.
“I am really looking forward to taking on the task of leading the Kraft Funds forward. With a solid foundation and a strong team on the team, we have all the prerequisites to continue the impressive development in both return and customer growth.
Continuing the success
In recent years, the Kraft Funds have experienced strong growth and good results. In total, the Kraft Funds now manage more than NOK 11 billion, and the funds have consolidated their position as a solid player in the fixed income and credit markets.
Kraft Høyrente and Kraft Nordic Bonds top Nordnet’s list of fixed income funds with the highest returns over the past 12 months. In addition, Kraft Nordic Bonds is the fixed income fund in Norway that has delivered the highest return over the past three years.
These results are clear evidence of a successful investment strategy with a focus on active management, risk-adjusted returns and thorough credit analysis. The goal going forward is to build on this foundation and further strengthen the offer – for the benefit of unit owners.
– Returns are not created over days, but over years – through patience, discipline and a clear strategy. This will also be our focus going forward in our daily work to ensure our customers the best possible return.
Merger and strengthened management environment
– Kraft Finans has now taken over the management of Forte Funds. Kraft Finans acquired Forte Fondsforvaltning AS in 2024. On 26 August 2025, a cross-border merger was carried out in which the five Forte funds were merged together with three newly established Swedish funds managed by FCG Fonder AB. FCG Fonder has outsourced its portfolio management to Kraft Finans.
In practice, this means, among other things, that the Kraft Funds currently manage the following funds:
Kraft Høyrente
Kraft Nordic Bonds
Power Investment Grade
FORTE Bond
FORTE Norway
FORTE Strategic
