| 25th October - [Ericsson discloses
the information provided herein pursuant to the Swedish Securities Exchange and
Clearing Operations Act and/or the Swedish Financial Instruments Trading Act.
The information was submitted for publication at 07.30 CET, on October 25, 2007.]
Net sales SEK 43.5 (41.3) b. in the quarter, up 6%, SEK 133.3 (125.6)
b. first nine months Operating income SEK 5.6 (8.8) b. in the quarter, down
36%, SEK 23.0 (23.6) b. first nine months Operating margin 13% (21%) in the
quarter, 17% (19%) first nine months Cash flow from operations SEK -1.6 (4.8)
b. in the quarter, SEK 7.2 (7.5) b. first nine months Net income SEK 4.0 (6.2)
b. in the quarter, down 36%, SEK 16.2 (16.5) b. first nine months 2) Earnings
per share SEK 0.25 (0.39) in the quarter, SEK 1.02 (1.04) first nine months 2)
CEO COMMENTS "The sharp decline in profit this quarter is mainly
due to weaker sales of mobile network upgrades and expansions combined with continued
high sales of new network buildouts," said Carl-Henric Svanberg, President
and CEO of Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC). "This changed business mix within Networks
affected Group margins negatively. All other businesses performed as expected.
Our networks business continues to develop most rapidly where new network
buildouts and break-in contracts are predominant and pricing pressure is most
intense. This has so far been offset by higher margin sales of software, expansions
and upgrades to our installed base. While we expect such higher margin sales to
gradually resume, new network buildouts will continue to weigh on Networks' margins
for several quarters. The Professional Services segment continued to
show strong growth and stable margins. The Multimedia segment also showed a strong
growth with operating income slightly above breakeven level, reflecting the mix
of businesses with healthy margins and investments in new business areas.
In infrastructure, scale is critical for success. In this period of vendor
consolidation, we have chosen to secure our scale advantage in mobile networks
through organic growth. This strategy has been effective but comes at a certain
cost. Now that we have reestablished our scale advantage we will now capitalize
on our gains and leading position," said Carl-Henric Svanberg. FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS Income statement and cash flow Third quarter Second
quarter Nine months SEK b. 2007 2006 Change 2007 Change 2007 2006 Change Net
sales 43.5 41.3 6% 47.6 -9% 133.3 125.6 6% Gross margin 35.6% 38.2% 1) - 43.0%
- 40.6% 41.5% 1) - EBITDA margin 17.4% 25.4% - 23.9% - 21.8% 23.2% - Operating
income 5.6 8.8 -36% 9.3 -39% 23.0 23.6 -3% Operating margin 12.9% 21.2% -
19.4% - 17.3% 18.8% - Operating margin ex Sony Ericsson 9.0% 16.5% - 16.4%
- 13.7% 16.0% - Income after financial items 5.6 8.9 -37% 9.3 -40% 23.1
23.8 -3% Net income 2) 4.0 6.2 -36% 6.4 -38% 16.2 16.5 -2% EPS, SEK 2)
0.25 0.39 -36% 0.40 -38% 1.02 1.04 -2% Cash flow from operating activities
-1.6 4.8 - 4.2 - 7.2 7.5 - 1) Including cost for Marconi restructuring
and career change program of SEK 2.9 b that took place in third quarter 2006 of
which SEK 1.7 b. affected gross margin. 2)Attributable to stockholders of the
parent company, excluding minority interest. The year-over-year sales
increase amounted to 6%, of which 4% was organic growth. The USD has continued
to weaken during the quarter and affected reported sales growth negatively.
The decline in gross margin is mainly due to the business mix. In addition,
the year-over-year growth in network rollout affected Group gross margins negatively.
Operating income amounted to SEK 5.6 (8.8) b. in the quarter and SEK 23.0
(23.6) b. year-to-date. The lower operating income and margin is the result of
a mix shift with lower high margin upgrade sales and increased lower margin roll
outs of new networks. Sony Ericsson's pre-tax profit contributed 4% to Group operating
margin in the quarter. Cash flow from operating activities reached SEK
-1.6 (4.8) b. in the quarter and SEK 7.2 (7.5) b. year-to-date. Working capital
increased by SEK 7.7 b. as a result of ongoing larger projects and in preparation
for a seasonally strong fourth quarter. Cash conversion for the first nine months
decreased to 30%, mainly due to lower net income and increased working capital.
With regards to cash flow from operations, the capital redemption from Sony Ericsson
of SEK 1.4 b. was offset by a similar amount of reduction of the advance payment
to Ericsson Mobile Platforms. Balance sheet and other performance indicators
Nine months Six months Three months Full year SEK b. 2007 2007
2007 2006 Net cash 11.5 16.1 29.1 40.7 Interest-bearing provisions
and liabilities 32.5 32.6 22.6 21.6 Trade receivables 56.8 55.3 52.4 51.1
Days sales outstanding 115 106 107 85 Inventory 25.6 24.6 24.1 21.5
Of which work in progress 14.0 14.1 14.9 14.2 Inventory turnover 4.5
4.4 4.2 5.2 Payable days 59 64 67 54 Customer financing, net 3.8 3.7
3.8 3.7 Return on capital employed 21% 24% 24% 27% Equity ratio 56%
54% 57% 56% Deferred tax assets decreased in the quarter by SEK 1.2
b. to SEK 11.5 (14.3) b. During the quarter, approximately SEK 1.3 b.
of provisions was utilized related to restructuring, product warranties, customer
projects and other. Additions of SEK 0.9 b. and reversals of SEK 0.7 b. have been
made, leading to a net negative impact on the income statement of SEK 0.2 b. in
the quarter and SEK -1.1 b. year-to-date. Net impact on the income statement has
been negative every quarter since 2003. SEGMENT RESULTS Third quarter
Second quarter Nine months SEK b. 2007 2006 1) Change 2007 Change 2007 2006
1) Change Networks sales 28.5 29.2 -2% 33.7 -15% 91.5 88.7 3% Of which network
rollout 4.0 3.5 14% 4.3 -7% 12.1 10.9 11% Operating margin 8% 9% - 19% - 15%
15% - EBITDA margin 13% 14% - 24% - 20% 21% - Professional Services
sales 11.0 8.7 26% 10.3 7% 30.8 26.3 17% Of which managed services 3.4
2.2 50% 2.9 15% 8.9 7.0 27% Operating margin 15% 12% - 15% - 15% 14% - EBITDA
margin 17% 13% - 16% - 16% 15% - Multimedia sales 4.0 3.1 31% 3.6 10% 11.0
9.3 18% Operating margin 1% 3% - 0% - 3% 2% - EBITDA margin 6% 4% - 5%
- 7% 3% - Unallocated sales - 0.3 - - - - 1.3 - Total sales 43.5 41.3
6% 47.6 -9% 133.3 125.6 6% Of which Mobile Systems 28.5 28.0 2% 32.7 -13%
89.6 85.5 5% 1) Including cost for Marconi restructuring and career
change program of SEK 2.9 b that took place in third quarter 2006. Networks
Sales in Networks declined mainly due to lower sales of expansions and upgrades
of mobile networks as well as software. Sales of lower margin network buildouts
and break-ins currently represent an increasing part of the networks business.
It is this shift in business mix that is negatively affecting group gross margin
rather than a change in the underlying margins of the different types of businesses.
Adjusted for Marconi and career change program restructuring costs Networks' operating
margin was 18% and EBITDA margin was 23% in the third quarter 2006. Sales
of optical and radio transmission systems for back/long-haul showed good growth.
The alignment of Ericsson's and Redback's sales channels is running according
to plan, however with some negative effects on Redback's sales during this transition.
Significant resources have been redeployed from other parts of Ericsson to support
Redback's rapid expansion, including integrating their technology into other Ericsson
products. Professional Services Sales in Professional Services
grew by 26% year-over-year and continue to outpace the market. Managed services
grew by 50% year-over-year. More than two thirds of Professional Services revenues
are currently of a recurring nature. Operating margins were stable mainly due
to good performance in other product areas within services, which helped to offset
startup costs for several new managed services contracts. Multimedia
Sales growth was 31% year-over-year of which 14% is acquired. Operating income
in the quarter was slightly above breakeven level. The areas mobile platforms,
service delivery platforms, Tandberg television and charging are all showing strong
growth with healthy margins. IPTV, IMS and Messaging are new business development
areas with significant R&D investments but with limited sales. Sony
Ericsson Mobile Communications For information on transactions with Sony Ericsson
Mobile Communications, please see Financial statements and Additional information.
Third quarter Second quarter Nine months EUR m. 2007 2006 Change 2007
Change 2007 2006 Change Number of units shipped (m.) 25.9 19.8 31% 24.9
4% 72.6 48.8 49% Average selling price (EUR) 120 147 -18% 125 -4% 126 147
-14% Net sales 3,108 2,913 7% 3,112 0% 9,145 7,177 27% Gross margin 31%
31% - 30% - 30% 29% - Operating margin 13% 15% - 10% - 12% 11% - Income before
taxes 384 433 -11% 327 17% 1,073 796 35% Net income 267 298 -10% 220 21% 741
550 35% Units shipped in the quarter reached 26 million, a 31%
increase compared to the same period last year. Sales for the quarter were EUR
3,108 m., representing a year-on-year increase of 7%. Income before taxes for
the quarter was EUR 384 m., representing a year-on-year decrease of 11% and reflecting
the exceptional third quarter the company experienced in 2006. Net income for
the quarter was EUR 267 m. In line with Sony Ericsson expectations, the increase
in low and mid-tier priced phones in the product portfolio in the third quarter
resulted in a decline in ASP to EUR 120. As communicated by Sony Ericsson
at the beginning of the year a capital redemption of total EUR 300 million was
paid to the parent companies in the third quarter. Ericsson invoiced Sony
Ericsson EUR 156 million in the quarter, mainly for mobile platforms, which was
deducted from the balance of the advance payment made to Ericsson in the first
quarter. Ericsson's share in Sony Ericsson's income before tax was SEK
1.7 (2.0) b. in the quarter. REGIONAL OVERVIEW Third quarter Second
quarter Nine months Sales, SEK b. 2007 2006 Change 2007 Change 2007 2006 Change
Western Europe 12.3 11.7 6% 12.4 -1% 37.3 36.0 4% Central and Eastern
Europe,Middle East and Africa 12.0 10.9 10% 11.5 4% 34.4 32.1 7% Asia
Pacific 12.0 11.6 3% 16.6 -28% 40.9 33.9 21% Latin America 4.2 4.2 1% 4.1
4% 11.6 11.7 0% North America 3.0 2.9 3% 3.0 -1% 9.1 11.9 -24% The
market in Western Europe showed a year-over-year sales growth of 6%, primarily
driven by managed services and increased demand for broadband transmission. Sales
of mobile networks were down somewhat due to less than expected sales of upgrades
and expansions, especially in the UK and Italy. Central and Eastern Europe,
Middle East and Africa returned to good growth, 10% year-over-year. Sales were
mainly driven by network rollout and expansions as well as managed services.
Asia Pacific was flattish due to lower mobile systems sales in China. The
underlying business activity is ongoing at a stable level, but invoicing varies
quarter by quarter due to the nature of the Chinese market. Australia was down
compared to same period last year when a nation-wide HSPA network was rolled out.
Excluding China and Australia, sales growth was 17% in the region. Latin
American sales were up 1% year-over-year. The market is driven by continued 2G
expansions as well as initial 3G rollouts. There is also an increased demand for
managed services. North American sales have returned to growth, primarily as a
result of a more favorable comparison year-over-year. MARKET DEVELOPMENT Growth
rates based on Ericsson and market estimates. Mobile subscriptions grew
with some 156 million in the quarter to 3.16 billion. 2.7 billion are GSM/WCDMA
subscriptions. 157 million are WCDMA subscriptions, growing by some 18 million
in the quarter. There are 179 WCDMA networks in 80 countries, of which 138 are
upgraded to HSPA services. In the twelve-month period ending June 30,
2007, fixed broadband connections grew by some 14 million per quarter to a total
of approximately 300 million. PLANNING ASSUMPTIONS For the fourth
quarter of 2007, our planning assumptions are Group sales of SEK 53-60 b. and
operating margins in the mid-teens, including Sony Ericsson. MARKET OUTLOOK
FOR MOBILE INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES All estimates are measured in USD and
refer to market growth compared to previous year. For 2007, we continue
to believe that the GSM/WCDMA track within the global mobile systems market, measured
in USD, will continue to show mid-single digit growth. We also continue
to believe that the addressable market for professional services will show good
growth in 2007. For 2008, our early expectation is that the current market
conditions will prevail. PARENT COMPANY INFORMATION Net sales
for the nine-month period amounted to SEK 2.5 (1.9) b. and income after financial
items was SEK 13.2 (12.5) b. Patent license fees have been included in net sales
from 2007, instead of in other operating revenues, and 2006 has been restated
accordingly. Major changes in the Parent Company's financial position
for the nine-month period include: increased investments in subsidiaries of SEK
23.4 b., mostly attributable to the Tandberg, Redback, Entrisphere and LHS acquisitions;
decreased other current and non-current receivables from subsidiaries of SEK 4.3
b.; decreased cash and bank and short-term investments of SEK 19.7 b., mainly
related to the acquisitions mentioned, payment of dividend for 2006 of SEK 7.9
b. to shareholders and cash from new non-current borrowings; increased notes and
bond loans by SEK 11.0 b. through the bond issue program; decreased current and
non-current liabilities to subsidiaries by SEK 19.3 b. As per September
30, 2007, cash and bank and short-term investments amounted to SEK 34.3 (54.0)
b. Major transactions and balances with related parties include the following
with Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications: revenues of SEK 1,753 (899) m.; liabilities
of SEK 489 (0) m.; dividend and capital redemption of SEK 3,949 (1,160) m.
In accordance with the conditions of the Stock Purchase Plans and Option Plans
for Ericsson employees, 4,178,626 shares from treasury stock were sold or distributed
to employees during the third quarter. The holding of treasury stock at September
30, 2007, was 238,400,384 Class B shares. OTHER INFORMATION Acquisitions
and public offerings On September 28, 2007, Ericsson announced that it
had purchased shares and received acceptances representing together approximately
85% of the outstanding shares and voting rights of LHS. The additional statutory
acceptance period was closed on October 8, 2007, resulting in additional 0.04%
of the outstanding shares. All conditions to the offer have been fulfilled. Ericsson
intends to complete the offer in accordance with the procedure described in the
offer document. Assessment of risk environment Ericsson's operational
and financial risk factors and exposures are described under "Risk factors"
in our Annual Report 2006 and we have determined that the risk environment has
not materially changed. However, the increased activities related to the new Multimedia
segment may result in a more volatile quarterly sales pattern. Specific additional
risks for the near term are associated with the acquisitions made during 2007,
as a timely and effective integration of these is essential to make them accretive
as planned. Risk factors and exposures in focus for the Parent Company
and the Ericsson Group for the forthcoming six-month period include: unfavorable
product mix in our Networks segment with reduced sales of software, upgrades and
extensions and an increased proportion of new network build-outs and break-in
contracts, which may result in lower gross margins and/or working capital build-up
which in turn puts pressure on our cash conversion rate; variability in the seasonality
could make it more difficult to forecast future sales; effects of the ongoing
industry consolidation among our customers as well as between our largest competitor,
e.g. intensified price competition; changes in foreign exchange rates, in particular
a continued weakness or further deterioration of the USD/SEK rate; increases in
interest rates and the potential effect on our customers' willingness to invest
in network development; Ericsson conducts business in certain countries
which are subject to trade restrictions or which are focused on by certain investors.
We stringently follow all relevant regulations and trade embargos applicable to
us in our dealings with customers operating in such countries. Moreover, Ericsson
operates globally in accordance with Group level policies and directives for ethics
and conduct. In no way should our business activities in these countries be construed
as supporting a particular political agenda or regime. We have activities in such
countries mainly due to that certain customers with multi-country operations put
demands on us to support them in all of their markets.
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