January 21, 2009, 07:29 (CET)
- Sales SEK 67.0 (54.5) b., up 23%, full year SEK 208.9 (187.8) b., up 11%
- Operating income 1) 2) SEK 9.2 (7.6) b., full year SEK 23.9 (30.6) b.
- Operating margin 1) 2) 13.7% (14.0%), full year 11.4% (16.3%)
- Cash flow SEK 7.0 (12.0) b., full year SEK 24.0 (19.2) b.
- Net income 2) 3) SEK 4.1 (5.8) b., full year SEK 11.7 (22.1) b.
- Earnings per share 2) 3) 4) SEK 1.21 (1.77), full year SEK 3.52 (6.84)
- Board of Directors proposes dividend of SEK 1,85 per share
1) Excluding restructuring charges of SEK 3.0 b. in the quarter and SEK 7.6 b. for the full year
2) Including capital gains of SEK 0.2 b. in first quarter and SEK 0.8 b. in fourth quarter 2008
3) Attributable to stockholders of the Parent Company, excluding minority interests
4) A reverse split 1:5 was made in June 2008, comparable figures restated accordingly
CEO COMMENTS
"We have had a solid performance in 2008," said Carl-Henric Svanberg, President and CEO of Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC). "Sales grew by 11% with good demand for our entire portfolio and across the world. Changes in currency rates had very small effect on full year growth. Professional services have continued to show strong growth. Operating margins, excluding Sony Ericsson, have steadily improved, and our financial position is strong with net cash of SEK 35 b. Sony Ericsson is affected by the economic downturn and the declining demand in the consumer market and has taken necessary actions.
During the year, we saw some 650 million new mobile subscriptions and the 4 billion milestone is now reached. 2008 was also a breakthrough year for mobile broadband. Communication is a basic human need. It plays a critical role in the development of a sustainable and prosperous society, and the positive long-term prospects for the industry remain.
The economic recession is spreading across the world. The effects on the global mobile network market should not be that significant as most operators have healthy financial positions, there is a strong traffic growth and the networks are fairly loaded. It remains, however, difficult to more precisely predict to what extent consumer telecom spending will be affected and how operators will act. To date, our infrastructure business is hardly impacted at all, but it would be unreasonable to think that this would be the case also throughout 2009.
We have exceeded our cost reduction targets launched in 2008. In the present environment, we will continue to reduce costs, across all parts of the company at the same pace as in 2008 with restructuring charges of SEK 6-7 b., targeting annual savings of SEK 10 b. from the second half of 2010. We are leveraging synergies between our different technologies and taking advantage of opportunities in the transformation to all-IP networks. As the savings largely are the result of more efficient ways of working, our strategy will remain intact and our unique capabilities should not be affected," concluded Carl-Henric Svanberg.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Income statement and cash flow
Fourth quarter Third quarter Full year
SEK b. 2008 1) 5) 2007 Change 2008 1) Change 2008 1) 5) 2007 Change
Net sales 67.0 54.5 23% 49.2 36% 208.9 187.8 11%
Gross margin 35.2% 36.1% - 37.0% - 36.8% 39.3% -
EBITDA margin 16.8% 18.4% - 15.3% - 15.6% 20.8% -
Operating
income 9.2 7.6 21% 5.7 62% 23.9 30.6 -22%
Operating
margin 13.7% 14.0% - 11.5% - 11.4% 16.3% -
Operating margin
excl Sony Ericsson 14.6% 9.8% - 11.5% - 11.3% 12.5% -
Income after
financial items 9.5 7.6 25% 6.2 54% 24.8 30.7 -19%
Net income 2) 3) 3.9 5.6 -31% 2.8 37% 11.3 21.8 -48%
EPS diluted, SEK 2) 3) 4) 1.21 1.77 -32% 0.89 36% 3.52 6.84 -49%
Cash flow from
operating activities 7.0 12.0 - 3.8 - 24.0 19.2 -
Cash flow excl.
Sony Ericsson 7.0 12.0 - 2.4 - 20.4 15.3 -
1) Excluding restructuring charges of SEK 3.0 b.in the fourth quarter 2008, SEK 2.0 b.in the third quarter 2008, SEK 1.8 b. in the second quarter and SEK 0.8 b. in the first quarter
2) Including restructuring charges in 2008
3) Attributable to stockholders of the Parent Company, excluding minority interests
4) A reverse split 1:5 was made in June 2008. Comparable figures are restated accordingly
5) Fourth quarter 2008 includes a capital gain of SEK 0.8 b. from divestment of shares in Symbian
Sales in the quarter increased by 23% year-over-year and by 11% for the full year. Currency exchange rates have had limited effects on full year sales. The currency exchange rate swings, especially towards the end of the year, have positively impacted sales growth in the fourth quarter significantly. Excluding currency exchange rate effects, the fourth quarter still showed the strongest growth in the year.
In the quarter, gross margin was 35.2% (36.1%), excluding restructuring charges. Full year gross margin amounted to 36.8% (39.3%). The sequential decline was mainly due to a high proportion of network rollout services. The network rollout sales increased sequentially by 61%.
Operating expenses amounted to SEK 15.3 (15.2) b. in the quarter, excluding restructuring charges. Expense run-rate is decreasing as a result of cost savings activities but this was partly offset by currency exchange rate effects. Operating expenses as a percentage of sales decreased from 28% to 27% for the full year.
In the quarter, Sony Ericsson contributed a result of EUR -67 (251) million, excluding restructuring charges of EUR 65 million. For the full year, Sony Ericsson showed a break-even result, excluding restructuring charges.
Operating income before restructuring charges amounted to SEK 9.2 (7.6) b. in the quarter and SEK 23.9 (30.6) b. for the full year. The operating income for the quarter includes a capital gain of SEK 0.8 b. from the divestment of shares in Symbian and a loss of SEK 0.7 b. from Sony Ericsson.
In the quarter, weaker SEK exchange rates affected income positively, but to a much lesser extent than sales. The currency translation effects during the quarter were offset by the negative effects of transaction hedges.
Restructuring charges in Ericsson amounted to SEK 2.3 (-) b. in the quarter and to SEK 6.7 (-) b. for the full year. Ericsson's share of the restructuring charges in Sony Ericsson amounted to SEK 0.7 (-) b. for the quarter and SEK 0.9 (-) b. for the full year.
Financial net was SEK 0.3 (0.0) b. in the quarter and SEK 1.0 (0.1) b. for the full year. Positive effects from improved interest rates were to some extent offset by negative effects from changing currency exchange rates.
Net income amounted to SEK 4.1 (5.8) b. in the quarter and SEK 11.7 (22.1) b. for the full year, impacted by restructuring charges and a dramatic drop in the contribution from Sony Ericsson.
Cash flow from operating activities reached SEK 7.0 (12.0) b. in the quarter and SEK 24.0 (19.2) b. for the full year. Changes in net operating assets were negative at SEK 2.3 b. in the quarter. Despite good collections, trade receivables increased due to high year-end sales. This was partly offset by reduced inventories and increased current liabilities. Cash conversion for the full year increased to 92% (66%).
For the year, the tax rate has increased to 32.3% (28.0%) due to changed mix of high and low tax countries. The deferred tax assets have also been revalued due to change in the statutory tax rate in Sweden from 2009 that has increased the tax cost for 2008.
Balance sheet and other performance indicators
SEK b. Full year
2008 Nine months
2008 Six months
2008 Three months
2008 Full year
2007
Net cash 34.7 30.2 27.9 28.3 24.3
Interest-bearing
provisions
and post-employment
benefits 40.4 35.4 29.2 32.0 33.4
Trade receivables 75.9 62.6 56.7 56.4 60.5
Days sales outstanding 106 115 107 110 102
Inventory 27.8 29.7 26.6 24.5 22.5
Of which work in progress 16.5 18.4 16.3 13.8 12.5
Inventory turnover 5.3 1) 4.5 1) 4.7 1) 4.6 1) 5.2
Payable days 55 57 56 57 57
Customer financing, net 2.8 2.2 2.4 2.7 3.4
Return on capital
employed 16% 1) 13% 1) 12% 1) 12% 1) 21%
Equity ratio 50% 52% 55% 56% 55%
1) Excluding effects from restructuring
The net cash position increased sequentially to SEK 34.7 (30.2) b. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments amounted to SEK 75.0 (57.7) b. Of a total debt position of SEK 30.5 b., SEK 5.5 b. matures in the next twelve months.
Customer financing remain at a low level and amounted to SEK 2.8 (2.2) b.
During the quarter, approximately SEK 2.3 b. of provisions related to warranty and project commitments and other items were utilized, of which SEK 1.0 b. were related to restructuring. Additions of SEK 3.8 b. were made, of which SEK 1.2 b. related to restructuring. Reversals of SEK 0.8 b. were made. The net impact on operating income, excluding restructuring charges, was negative by SEK 1.8 b.
Days sales outstanding decreased in the quarter to 106 days but are up year-over-year from 102. Currency exchange rates have had a negative effect.
Cost reductions
In February 2008, a cost reduction plan of SEK 4 b. in annual savings was announced, including estimated charges of the same size. All activities with related charges were launched by the third quarter, and it was announced that further charges would be made in the fourth quarter.
Charges in the fourth quarter amount to SEK 2.3 b. and for the full year 2008 to SEK 6.7 b. In total, this has resulted in annual savings of approximately SEK 6.5 b. from year-end.
Cost savings will continue also in 2009. Restructuring charges are estimated to SEK 6-7 b. and annual savings of SEK 10 b. are expected by the second half of 2010, with an equal split between cost of sales and operating expenses.
We are leveraging synergies between our different technologies, in-house and acquired, and taking advantage of opportunities in the transformation to all-IP. We will reduce the number of software platforms and increase the re-use of hardware. We will also move certain activities to low-cost countries.
Cost reductions will be achieved through reduction of the number of consultants and other temporary staff, consolidation of R&D sites and layoffs. These activities will result in a reduction of the number of employees by some 5,000, of which about 1,000 in Sweden, primarily in Stockholm.
Restructuring charges 2008
Isolated quarters, SEK b. Accumulated Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1
Cost of sales -2.5 -1.1 -0.6 -0.6 -0.2
Research and development expenses -2.7 -0.7 -0.3 -1.1 -0.6
Selling and administrative expenses -1.5 -0.5 -0.9 -0.1 -0.0
Share in Sony Ericsson charges -0.9 -0.7 -0.2 - -
Total -7.6 -3.0 -2.0 -1.8 -0.8
SEGMENT RESULTS
Fourth quarter Third quarter Full year
SEK b. 2008 1) 2007 Change 2008 1) Change 2008 1) 2) 2007 Change
Networks sales 45.8 37.5 22% 33.0 39% 142.0 129.0 10%
Of which network rollout 7.6 6.4 17% 4.7 61% 21.5 18.5 16%
Operating margin 14% 10% - 11% - 11% 13% -
EBITDA margin 17% 15% - 15% - 16% 19% -
Professional Services
sales 16.2 12.1 34% 11.8 38% 49.0
42.9 14%
Of which managed services 4.3 3.3 29% 3.5 23% 14.3 12.2 17%
Operating margin 18% 15% - 16% - 16% 15% -
EBITDA margin 19% 16% - 19% - 17% 16% -
Multimedia sales 5.0 4.9 4% 4.4 14% 17.9 15.9 13%
Operating margin 12% 4) -9% - 3% - 1% 4) -1% -
EBITDA margin 21% 4) -3% - 12% - 11% 3) 4) 4% -
Total sales 67.0 54.5 23% 49.2 36% 208.9 187.8 11%
1) Excluding restructuring costs in 2008
2) First quarter 2008 is restated for the transfer of the IPX operations from Professional Services to Multimedia
3) Affected by SEK 0.2 b. due to changed allocation of capitalized development expenses during second quarter 2008
4) Fourth quarter 2008 includes a capital gain of SEK 0.8 b. from divestment of shares in Symbian
Networks
Sales in Networks increased by 22% in the quarter, year-over-year, positively impacted by a weaker SEK. For the full year sales grew by 10%. 2008 was another record year for rollout of GSM. In addition, major 3G rollouts are ongoing in many markets while key markets, such as China and India, will soon start their 3G buildouts.
Mobile broadband is now firmly established and networks with speeds of 21 Mbps have been launched in several countries. LTE is established as a true global world standard for mobile broadband. In January, 2009, Ericsson announced its first contract for a commercial LTE network.
The transition from traditional circuit switching to softswitching has come far and Ericsson has established a clear leadership position. Sales of Redback's SmartEdge products noted very strong growth for the second consecutive quarter.
Sales of network rollout services increased 61% sequentially, reflecting a high proportion of completions of large new network buildouts.
Professional Services
Sales of Professional Services increased by 34% in the quarter, year-over-year, and by 14% for the full year. Growth in constant currencies amounted to 26% and 13% respectively. Managed services continued to grow substantially, and consulting and systems integration showed strong growth due to a high amount of customer projects finalized during the quarter. Operating margins in the quarter reached18% (15%) due to favorable mix, continued efficiency gains and high volumes.
During the quarter, 11 new managed services contracts were signed. The total number of subscribers in managed operations now amounts to 250 million, of which 60% are in high-growth markets. The growth in managed services is fueled by operators' desire to reduce operating expenses and improve efficiency in network operation and maintenance.
Multimedia
Sales in Multimedia increased by 4% in the quarter, year-over-year, and by 13% for the full year. For comparable units, i.e. excluding divestment of the enterprise PBX operations and adjusted for the transfer of the IPX operations, sales grew by 21% in the quarter, year-over-year and by 16% for the full year. Tandberg Television and revenue management continued to show good growth while the mobile platform business is starting to experience effects of the weakening handset market. Operating income in the quarter, excluding effects from the divestment of shares in Symbian, was SEK -0.2 (-0.4) b.
Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications
For information on transactions with Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, please see Financial statements and Additional information.
Fourth quarter Third quarter Full year
EUR m. 2008 2007 Change 2008 Change 2008 2007 Change
Number of units
shipped (m.) 24.2 30.8 -21% 25.7 -6% 96.6
103.4 -7%
Average selling
price (EUR) 121 123 -2% 109 11% 116
125 -7%
Net sales 2,914 3,771 -23% 2,808 4% 11,244 12,916 -13%
Gross margin 15% 32% - 22% - 22% 31% -
Operating
margin -9% 13% - -1% - -1% 12% -
Income before taxes -263 501 - -23 - -83 1,574 -
Income before taxes,
excl restructuring charges -133 501 - 12 - 92 1,574 -
Net income -187 373 - -25 - -73 1,114 -
Units shipped in the quarter were 24.2 million, a sequential decrease of 6% and a year-on-year decrease of 21%. Sales in the quarter were EUR 2,914 million, an increase of 4% sequentially but a decrease of 23% compared to fourth quarter 2007. The global economic slowdown is resulting in a contracting consumer demand.
Income before taxes for the quarter was EUR -133 million, excluding restructuring charges of EUR 129 million, compared to the profit of EUR 501 million in fourth quarter 2007. Despite a negative result in the quarter, Sony Ericsson maintained a healthy balance sheet with a strong net cash position of EUR 1,072 million.
Ericsson's share in Sony Ericsson's income before tax was SEK -1.3 (2.3) b. in the quarter and SEK -0.5 (7.1) b. for the full year.
The EUR 300 million operating expenses savings measures earlier announced have been increased to EUR 480 million, with the full effect expected at the end of 2009. The cost for the total program will be covered by the previously announced EUR 300 million in restructuring charges.
REGIONAL OVERVIEW
Fourth quarter Third quarter Full year
Sales, SEK b. 2008 2007 Change 2008 Change 2008 2007 Change
Western Europe 16.1 15.4 5% 11.6 39% 51.6 52.7 -2%
Central and Eastern Europe,
Middle East and Africa 17.6 14.3 24% 13.1 35% 53.1 48.7 9%
Asia Pacific 20.5 13.7 49% 14.1 45% 63.3 54.6 16%
Latin America 7.9 6.8 16% 6.1 29% 23.0 18.4 25%
North America 4.9 4.3 13% 4.3 14% 17.9 13.4 34%
Western Europe sales increased by 5% in the quarter, year-over-year, and decreased by 2% for the full year. The year-over-year increase in the quarter was driven by strong performance mainly in Germany, Denmark and Italy. The strong sequential increase of 39% is above normal seasonality and driven by good demand for mobile broadband and professional services.
In Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, sales increased by 24% in the quarter, year-over-year, and by 9% for the full year. A strong year-over-year quarterly performance in Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and South Africa is driven by continued 2G buildout, while a strong growth in Russia is driven by ongoing 3G rollouts.
Asia Pacific sales increased by 49% in the quarter, year-over-year, and by 16% for the full year. The Chinese market rebounded after the Olympic Games. 3G licenses were awarded in the beginning of January 2009 and rollouts will start soon. India, with large network rollouts, remains Ericsson's largest and fastest growing market. Japan and Indonesia showed strong development in the quarter and are now Ericsson's fifth and sixth largest markets. The market in Pakistan is still weak due to political uncertainties.
Latin American sales increased by 16% in the quarter, year-over-year, and by 25% for the full year. The year has been impacted by a combination of 2G enhancements and 3G buildouts, and 3G is now an established technology across the region. Mexico and Brazil showed strong development, both in the quarter and for the full year, and show no signs of slow-down despite the economic downturn.
North American sales increased by 13% in the quarter, year-over-year, and full year sales increased by 34%. The recorded slower growth in the fourth quarter is mainly an effect of a tough year-over-year comparison despite positive effects of the increasing USD in the fourth quarter. For the full year, the effects from changes in currency exchange rates were limited. Mobile broadband is now well established with good consumer take-up, which is driving continued rollouts as well as capacity enhancements.
MARKET DEVELOPMENT
Growth rates are based on Ericsson and market estimates.
We believe that the fundamentals for longer-term positive development for our industry are solid. The need for telecommunication continues to grow and plays a vital role for the development of a sustainable and prosperous society. Ericsson is well positioned to lead this development.
The world is being affected by an economic recession. It is however difficult to predict to what extent consumer telecom spending will be affected and how operators will act. Operators are generally financially strong, the networks are fairly loaded and traffic continues to increase. However, large currency movements and uncertainties in the credit markets could affect operators' investment capacity.
Mobile subscriptions grew by some 176 million in the quarter to a total of 3.98 billion. The number of WCDMA subscriptions grew by 24 million to a total of 290 million. In the twelve-month period ending September 30, 2008, fixed broadband connections grew by 20% year-over-year to more than 385 million.
The continued subscription growth creates need for new and expanded mobile networks and corresponding professional services. Although GSM continues to represent the majority of the mobile systems market, its growth is slowing as 3G/WCDMA is accelerating. The strong development in emerging markets continues, and although they represent less than one third of global GDP they represent significantly more of the market for mobile network equipment.
Broadband Internet revenues for fixed operators are expected to grow from 20% to more than 30% of total revenues in the next five years. Mobile operators' data revenues, currently at some 20% of total revenues, are expected to grow even faster.
Currently, 20 million households are served by IPTV. This is expected to grow to approximately 100 million households within the same timeframe.
All this is driving an increased focus on smarter networks and bundled service offerings. Operators have accelerated the conversion to all-IP broadband networks with increased deployments of broadband access, routing and transmission along with next-generation service delivery and revenue management systems.
PARENT COMPANY INFORMATION
Net sales for the year amounted to SEK 5.1 (3.2) b. and income after financial items was SEK 19.4 (14.7) b. During the fourth quarter, shares in Symbian Ltd has been sold by the Parent Company.
Major changes in the Parent Company's financial position for the year include; decreased investments in subsidiaries of SEK 6.8 b., mostly attributable to write-down of investments caused by payments of dividends of approximately the same amount; decreased current and non-current receivables from subsidiaries of SEK 6.4 b; increased other current receivables of SEK 4.8 b.; increased cash and bank and short-term investments of SEK 13.6 b.; decreased current and non-current liabilities to subsidiaries by SEK 9.2 b. and increased other current liabilities by SEK 5.6 b.
As per December 31, 2008, cash, bank and short-term investments amounted to SEK 59.2 (45.6) b.
Major transactions with related parties include the following transactions and balances with Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications: revenues of SEK 2.0 (3.0) b.; receivables of SEK 0.6 (0.9) b.; dividend of SEK 3.6 (3.9) b.
In accordance with the conditions of the Stock Purchase Plans and Option Plans for Ericsson employees, 1,171,119 shares from treasury stock were sold or distributed to employees during the fourth quarter and 5,232,211 shares during the year. In the third quarter 19,900,000 treasury shares were repurchased. The holding of treasury stock at December 31, 2008 was 61,066,097 Class B shares.
DIVIDEND PROPOSAL
The Board of Directors will propose to the Annual General Meeting a dividend of SEK 1.85 (2.50) per share, representing some SEK 6.0 (8.0) b., and April 27, 2009, as record day for payment of dividend.
ANNUAL REPORT
The annual report will be made available to shareholders on our website www.ericsson.com and at the Ericsson headquarters, Torshamnsgatan 23, Stockholm, in the week of March 9-13, 2009.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
The Annual General Meeting of shareholders will be held on Wednesday April 22, 2009, 15.00 (CET) in the Stockholm Globe Arena.
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