Form 6-K

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

January 22, 2010

LM ERICSSON TELEPHONE COMPANY

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

Torshamnsgatan 23, Kista

SE-164 83, Stockholm, Sweden

(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F  x    Form 40-F  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.     Yes  ¨    No  x

 

 

Announcement of LM Ericsson Telephone Company, dated January 22, 2010 regarding “Sony Ericsson reports fourth quarter and full year 2009 results”

 

 

 


LOGO

January 22, 2010

Sony Ericsson reports fourth quarter and full year 2009 results

Q4 Highlights:

 

   

Improved quarterly financial results reflected success of refreshed portfolio

 

   

Transformation programme bearing fruit and to continue

 

   

Announced first Android-based phone, the XPERIA™ X10

The consolidated financial summary for Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Ericsson) for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2009 is as follows:

 

     Q4 2009     Q3 2009     Q4 2008     FY 2009     FY 2008  

Number of units shipped (million)

   14.6      14.1      24.2      57.1      96.6   

Sales (Euro m.)

   1,750      1,619      2,914      6,788      11,244   

Gross margin (%)

   23   16   15   15   22

Operating income (Euro m.)

   -181      -193      -262      -1,018      -113   

Operating margin (%)

   -10   -12   -9   -15   -1

Restructuring charges (Euro m.)

   150      2      129      164      175   

Operating income excl. restructuring charges (Euro m.)

   -32      -191      -133      -854      61   

Operating margin excl. restructuring charges (%)

   -2   -12   -5   -13   1

Income before taxes (IBT) (Euro m.)

   -190      -199      -261      -1,043      -83   

IBT excl. restructuring charges (Euro m.)

   -40      -198      -133      -878      92   

Net income (Euro m.)

   -167      -164      -187      -836      -73   

Average selling price (Euro)

   120      114      121      119      116   

Bert Nordberg, President, Sony Ericsson comments; “The refreshed portfolio, coupled with the business transformation programme has started to positively impact our financial results. Continued cost saving activities and resource realignment are necessary in order to build a leaner, more efficient organisation capable of meeting the demands of the changing competitive landscape. We will continue to focus on returning the company to profitability by establishing Sony Ericsson as the communication entertainment brand based on an exciting portfolio of mid- and high-end products, such as our recently announced Android-based phone, the XPERIA™ X10. 2010 will still be challenging as the full benefit of cost improvements will not impact results until the second half of the year, however we are confident that our business is on the right track.”

Units shipped in the quarter were 14.6 million, a sequential increase of 3% and a year-on-year decrease of 40%. Sales for the quarter were Euro 1,750 million, a sequential increase of 8% and a year-on-year decrease of 40%. The sequential increase was driven by market seasonality and successful sales of Satio™ and Aino™ phones. The year-on-year decrease in both units and sales was mainly due to a downturn in the global handset market and


a faster than anticipated shift to touch screen phones in the mid-priced sector of the market. Average Selling Price (ASP) for the quarter rose sequentially by 5% to Euro 120 due to a more favourable product mix.

Gross margin percentage improved sequentially and year-on-year mainly driven by the successful sales of new, higher-margin phones as well as the positive impact of cost reduction activities.

Income before taxes for the quarter, excluding restructuring charges, was a loss of Euro 40 million compared to a loss of Euro 198 million in the previous quarter. The reduced loss was due to the improved gross margin and the benefits of reduced operating expenses. Excluding restructuring charges, Sony Ericsson made a loss for the full year 2009 of Euro 878 million compared with an income of Euro 92 million in 2008. The year-on-year deterioration was mainly attributable to the lower sales.

As of December 31, 2009, Sony Ericsson had a net cash position of Euro 620 million.

During 2009, Sony Ericsson secured external funding of Euro 455 million to strengthen the balance sheet and improve liquidity, out of which Euro 350 million has been guaranteed by the parent companies on a 50/50 basis.

Euro 255 million was drawn by the end of 2009, but the remaining Euro 200 million, a two-year committed back-up facility, has not been utilised.

The programme started in mid-2008 to reduce annual operating expenses by Euro 880 million is continuing; with

the full benefit expected during the second half of 2010. Since the start of the programme Sony Ericsson has reduced its global workforce by approximately 2,500 people to 9,100 by the end of 2009. The total restructuring

charges taken to date are Euro 339 million, and charges for the full programme are estimated to be well within the previously announced Euro 500 million.

Sony Ericsson estimates that the global handset market in units for the fourth quarter 2009 was flat year-on-year and that its market share was about 5% in the fourth quarter. Sony Ericsson believes that the global handset

market for the full year 2009 decreased in volume by around 8% year-on-year to around 1.1 billion units and that its market share in units for the full year 2009 was about 5%.

Sony Ericsson forecasts a slight growth in units in the global handset market in 2010.

- END -

The liquid identity is a registered trademark of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB.

Aino™, Satio™ and XPERIA™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB.

Sony is a registered trademark of Sony Corporation. Ericsson is a registered trademark of Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson. Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved. Subject to change without prior notice.

EDITOR’S NOTES:

Financial statements:

Consolidated income statement

Consolidated income statement full year

Consolidated income statement isolated quarters

Consolidated balance sheet

Consolidated statement of cash flows

Consolidated statement of cash flows full year

Consolidated statement of cash flows isolated quarters

Additional information:

Net sales by market area, by quarter

Sony Ericsson is a 50:50 joint venture by Sony and Ericsson established in October 2001, with global corporate functions located in London and operations in all major markets. Our vision is to become the industry leader in Communication Entertainment; where new styles of communicating through the internet and social media, become entertainment. Sony Ericsson offers exciting consumer experiences through phones, accessories, content and applications. For more information please visit, www.sonyericsson.com.


CONTACTS:

Investors / analysts

Ericsson investor relations

Susanne Andersson (Stockholm) +46 10 719 4631

Lars Jacobsson (Stockholm) +46 10 719 9489

Sony investor relations

Gen Tsuchikawa (Tokyo) +81 3 6748 2180

Shinji Tomita (London) +44 20 7426 8696

Press / media

Sony Ericsson global communications and PR

Aldo Liguori (London) +44 20 8762 5860

Merran Wrigley (London) +44 20 8762 5862

A live webcast of the conference call discussing the company’s results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2009 will be available on January 22, 2010 at the following times:

TIMING:

15:30 UK time (GMT)

16:30 Central European time (CET)

10:30 US Eastern time (EST)

00:30 Japan time (JST) January 23, 2010

WEBCAST:

A live webcast of the conference call will be available at: www.ericsson.com/ericsson/investors

Or please click here to join the webcast directly:

www.thomson-

webcast.net/uk/dispatching/?event_id=55bbf43ecfabff7e6e911983a216b4b0&portal_id=ccec29148a44ec4b8077c8 45c5b4cbba

The archived webcast will be available approximately one hour after the completion of the conference call.

CALL-IN NUMBERS:

 

UK and Europe

   +44 20 7806 1956

Sweden

   +46 8 5352 6407

US:

   +1 718 354 1389

Japan:

   +81 3 3570 8228

REPLAY:

A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the completion of the conference call until 11:00 pm UK time on 28 January, 2010.

 

UK and Europe:

   +44 20 7111 1244

Sweden:

   +46 8 5051 3897

US:

   +1 347 366 9565

Japan:

   +81 3 5767 9615

Replay pass code:         8140934#

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. We have identified certain important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements. For a detailed description of risk factors see Sony’s and Ericsson’s filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly each company’s latest published Annual Report on Form 20-F.


Sony Ericsson

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

 

     Oct-Dec  

EUR million

   2009     2008     Change  

Net sales

   1,750      2,914      -40

Cost of sales

   -1,341      -2,476      -46
              

Gross profit

   409      438      -7

Gross margin %

   23.4   15.0   8

Research and development expenses

   -299      -359      -17

Selling and administrative expenses

   -299      -366      -18
              

Operating expenses

   -599      -725      -17

Other operating income, net

   8      24      -66
              

Operating income

   -181      -262      -31

Operating margin %

   -10.4   -9.0   -1

Financial income

   4      28      -88

Financial expenses

   -12      -27      -55
              

Income after financial items

   -190      -261      -27

Taxes

   36      81      -56

Minority interest

   -12      -7      75
              

Net income

   -167      -187      -11

Number of units shipped (million)

   14.6      24.2      -40

ASP (EUR)

   120      121      -1
      Oct-Dec        

EUR Million

   2009     2008        

Restructuring charges

      

Cost of sales

   41      67     

Research and development expenses

   72      35     

Sales and administrative expenses

   37      24     

Other operating income, net

   0      3     
              

Total

   150      129     


Sony Ericsson

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

 

     Jan-Dec  

EUR million

   2009     2008     Change  

Net sales

   6,788      11,244      -40

Cost of sales

   -5,782      -8,750      -34
              

Gross profit

   1,006      2,494      -60

Gross margin %

   14.8   22.2   -7

Research and development expenses

   -1,108      -1,379      -20

Selling and administrative expenses

   -964      -1,249      -23
              

Operating expenses

   -2,072      -2,628      -21

Other operating income, net

   48      21      -   
              

Operating income

   -1,018      -113      -   

Operating margin %

   -15.0   -1.0   -14

Financial income

   21      101      -79

Financial expenses

   -46      -71      -35
              

Income after financial items

   -1,043      -83      -   

Taxes

   236      31      -   

Minority interest

   -29      -21      35
              

Net income

   -836      -73      -   

Number of units shipped (million)

   57.1      96.6      -41

ASP (EUR)

   119      116      2
      Jan-Dec        

EUR Million

   2009     2008        

Restructuring charges

      

Cost of sales

   39      75     

Research and development expenses

   84      62     

Sales and administrative expenses

   41      29     

Other operating income, net

   0      9     
              

Total

   164      175     


Sony Ericsson

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT—ISOLATED QUARTERS

 

     2009     2008  

EUR million

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Net sales

   1,750      1,619      1,684      1,736      2,914      2,808      2,820      2,702   

Cost of sales

   -1,341      -1,367      -1,483      -1,591      -2,476      -2,192      -2,168      -1,914   
                                            

Gross profit

   409      252      200      145      438      616      653      788   

Gross margin %

   23.4   15.5   11.9   8.4   15.0   21.9   23.1   29.2

Research and development expenses

   -299      -260      -245      -303      -359      -337      -344      -339   

Selling and administrative expenses

   -299      -205      -235      -225      -366      -303      -310      -270   
                                            

Operating expenses

   -599      -465      -480      -528      -725      -640      -653      -610   

Other operating income, net

   8      21      6      13      24      -8      -2      6   
                                            

Operating income

   -181      -193      -274      -369      -262      -33      -2      184   

Operating margin %

   -10.4   -11.9   -16.3   -21.3   -9.0   -1.2   -0.1   6.8

Financial income

   4      3      6      9      28      25      25      24   

Financial expenses

   -12      -9      -15      -10      -27      -15      -14      -15   
                                            

Income after financial items

   -190      -199      -283      -370      -261      -23      8      193   

Taxes

   36      42      74      84      81      6      0      -57   

Minority interest

   -12      -6      -4      -6      -7      -8      -3      -3   
                                            

Net income

   -167      -164      -213      -293      -187      -25      6      133   

Number of units shipped (million)

   14.6      14.1      13.8      14.5      24.2      25.7      24.4      22.3   

ASP (EUR)

   120      114      122      120      121      109      116      121   
      2009     2008        

EUR Million

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2        

Restructuring charges

                

Cost of sales

   41      0      -9      7      67      0      8     

Research and development expenses

   72      1      9      2      35      26      2     

Sales and administrative expenses

   37      1      1      3      24      3      1     

Other operating income, net

   0      0      0      0      3      6      0     
                                        

Total

   150      2      1      12      129      35      11     


Sony Ericsson

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

 

EUR million

   Dec 31
2009
   Sep 30
2009
   Jun 30
2009
   Dec 31
2008

ASSETS

           

Total fixed and financial assets

   779    757    736    590

Current assets

           

Inventories

   358    397    404    531

Accounts receivable

   832    917    936    1,629

Other assets

   415    416    379    585

Other short-term cash investments

   489    464    456    707

Cash and bank

   389    532    509    418
                   

Total current assets

   2,483    2,726    2,685    3,870
                   

Total assets

   3,262    3,482    3,421    4,460
                   

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

           

Shareholders’ equity

   381    532    694    1,217

Minority interest

   47    43    66    57
                   

Total equity

   428    575    760    1,274

Borrowing, Non Current

   0    50    0    0

Other long-term liabilities

   32    31    30    30
                   

Total long-term liabilities

   32    81    30    30

Accounts payable

   852    1,019    848    990

Borrowing, Current

   258    105    0    53

Other current liabilities

   1,692    1,702    1,782    2,113
                   

Total current liabilities

   2,802    2,826    2,630    3,156
                   

Total shareholders’ equity and liabilities

   3,262    3,482    3,421    4,460
                   

Net cash*

   620    841    965    1,072

 

* Net cash is defined as cash and bank plus short-term cash investments less interest-bearing liabilities.


Sony Ericsson

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

     Oct-Dec

EUR million

   2009    2008

OPERATIONS

     

Net income

   -167    -187

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash

   48    37
         
   -119    -150

Changes in operating net assets

   -97    -168
         

Cash flow from operating activities

   -216    -318

INVESTMENTS

     

Investing activities

   -10    41
         

Cash flow from investing activities

   -10    41

FINANCING

     

Financing activities

   100    -46
         

Cash flow from financing activities

   100    -46

Net change in cash

   -126    -323

Cash, beginning of period

   996    1,473

Translation difference in Cash

   8    -25
         

Cash, end of period

   878    1,125
         


Sony Ericsson

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

     Jan-Dec

EUR million

   2009    2008

OPERATIONS

     

Net income

   -836    -73

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash

   135    146
         
   -701    73

Changes in operating net assets

   333    -323
         

Cash flow from operating activities

   -368    -250

INVESTMENTS

     

Investing activities

   -84    -64
         

Cash flow from investing activities

   -84    -64

FINANCING

     

Financing activities

   205    -754
         

Cash flow from financing activities

   205    -754

Net change in cash

   -247    -1,068

Cash, beginning of period

   1,125    2,155

Translation difference in Cash

   -1    37
         

Cash, end of period

   878    1,125
         


Sony Ericsson

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS—ISOLATED QUARTERS

 

     2009    2008

EUR million

   Q4    Q3    Q2    Q1    Q4    Q3    Q2    Q1

OPERATIONS

                       

Net income

   -167    -164    -213    -293    -187    -25    6    133

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash

   48    20    37    29    37    39    40    31
                                       
   -119    -143    -176    -263    -150    15    46    164

Changes in operating net assets

   -97    49    60    321    -168    88    -142    -101
                                       

Cash flow from operating activities

   -216    -94    -115    58    -318    102    -96    64

INVESTMENTS

                       

Investing activities

   -10    -42    -13    -19    41    -55    -29    -22
                                       

Cash flow from investing activities

   -10    -42    -13    -19    41    -55    -29    -22

FINANCING

                       

Financing activities

   100    159    0    - 53    - 46    - 238    - 8    - 462
                                       

Cash flow from financing activities

   100    159    0    -53    -46    -238    -8    -462

Net change in cash

   -126    22    -128    -14    -323    -191    -133    -421

Cash, beginning of period

   996    965    1,116    1,125    1,473    1,591    1,711    2,155

Translation difference in Cash

   8    9    -23    5    -25    74    13    -24
                                       

Cash, end of period

   878    996    965    1,116    1,125    1,473    1,591    1,711
                                       


Sony Ericsson

NET SALES BY MARKET AREA BY QUARTER

EUR million

 

     2009     2008  

Isolated quarters

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Europe, Middle East & Africa *

   966      875      927      977      1,642      1,427      1,386      1,494   

Americas

   222      232      195      200      636      703      740      486   

Asia

   562      512      562      559      636      678      694      722   
                                                

Total

   1,750      1,619      1,684      1,736      2,914      2,808      2,820      2,702   
                                                

* of which Western Europe

   678      636      678      721      1,117      947      900      979   
     2009     2008  

Sequential change (%)

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Europe, Middle East & Africa *

   10   -6   -5   -40   15   3   -7   -34

Americas

   -4   19   -3   -69   -10   -5   52   -24

Asia

   10   -9   1   -12   -6   -2   -4   -18
                                                

Total

   8   -4   -3   -40   4   0   4   -28
                                                

* of which Western Europe

   7   -6   -6   -35   18   5   -8   -38
     2009     2008  

Year over year change (%)

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Europe, Middle East & Africa *

   -41   -39   -33   -35   -27   -17   -20   -7

Americas

   -65   -67   -74   -59   0   23   48   33

Asia

   -12   -25   -19   -23   -28   -17   -21   -25
                                                

Total

   -40   -42   -40   -36   -23   -10   -9   -8
                                                

* of which Western Europe

   -39   -33   -25   -26   -29   -14   -18   -9
     2009     2008  

Year to date

   0912     0909     0906     0903     0812     0809     0806     0803  

Europe, Middle East & Africa *

   3,744      2,778      1,903      977      5,947      4,306      2,879      1,494   

Americas

   850      627      395      200      2,566      1,930      1,226      486   

Asia

   2,194      1,633      1,121      559      2,731      2,094      1,416      722   
                                                

Total

   6,788      5,038      3,419      1,736      11,244      8,330      5,522      2,702   
                                                

* of which Western Europe

   2,714      2,036      1,400      721      3,943      2,826      1,879      979   
     2009     2008  

YTD year over year change (%)

   0912     0909     0906     0903     0812     0809     0806     0803  

Europe, Middle East & Africa *

   -37   -35   -34   -35   -18   -15   -13   -7

Americas

   -67   -67   -68   -59   24   34   42   33

Asia

   -20   -22   -21   -23   -23   -21   -23   -25
                                                

Total

   -40   -40   -38   -36   -13   -9   -9   -8
                                                

* of which Western Europe

   -31   -28   -26   -26   -19   -14   -14   -9


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

    TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (publ)
    By:   /S/    CARL OLOF BLOMQVIST        
      Carl Olof Blomqvist
     

Senior Vice President and

General Counsel

    By:   /S/    HENRY STÉNSON        
      Henry Sténson
     

Senior Vice President

Corporate Communications

Date: January 22, 2010