Ericsson reports third quarter 2014

Third quarter highlights

Sales in the quarter were SEK 57.6 (53.0) b., a growth of 9% YoY and 5% QoQ. Sales for comparable units, adjusted for currency, grew by 3% YoY and 2% QoQThe sales growth YoY, mainly driven by growth in the Middle East, China, India and Russia was partly offset by sales decline in North AmericaGross margin increased YoY to 35.2% (32.0%), driven by improved business mix, higher IPR revenues and lower restructuring chargesProfitability showed stable improvement across all segmentsOperating income amounted to SEK 3.9 (4.2) b. The decline was mainly driven by revaluation of unrealized hedge contracts of SEK -1.0 (0.8) b.Cash flow from operating activities was SEK -1.4 (1.5) b.
SEK b.Q3
2014Q3
2013  YoY
changeQ2
2014QoQ
change9 months
20149 months 2013 Net sales 57.6 53.0 9% 54.8 5% 160.0 160.3 Sales growth adj. for comparable units and currency --3%-2%-2%5% Gross margin 35.2% 32.0% - 36.4% - 36.0% 32.1% Operating income 3.9 4.2 -8% 4.0 -3% 10.5 8.8 Operating margin 6.7% 8.0% - 7.3% - 6.6% 5.5% Net income 2.6 3.0 -13% 2.7 -1% 7.0 5.7 EPS diluted, SEK 0.81 0.90 -10% 0.79 3% 2.25 1.72 EPS (Non-IFRS), SEK 1)1.11 1.31 -15% 1.07 4% 3.08 3.19 Cash flow from operating activities -1.4 1.5 -193% 2.1 -166% 10.1 2.8 Net cash, end of period 29.4 24.7 19% 32.5 -9% 29.4 24.7 1) EPS, diluted, excl. amortizations and write-downs of acquired intangible assets, and restructuring

Comments from Hans Vestberg, President and CEO of Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC):

Reported sales increased by 9% year-over-year and sales for comparable units, adjusted for currency, grew by 3% with stable operating income.

The sales growth year-over-year was mainly driven by the Middle East, China, India and Russia, but was partly offset by lower sales in North America.

Mobile broadband sales increased both year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter as we have started to deliver on previously communicated key contracts. We are executing on 4G/LTE contracts in Mainland China and Taiwan and improving sales in Japan. Furthermore, the investment climate in India continues to improve. Sales in parts of Europe, mainly UK and Germany, showed growth year-over-year while the development in southern Europe continued to be weak.

Sales in North America continued to be driven by operator investments in capacity and quality enhancements. However, business activity slowed down during the quarter as operators currently focus on cash flow optimization.

The momentum for Professional Services continued and generated organic growth in the quarter driven by managed services sales and systems integration. The acquired Red Bee Media was successfully integrated and fully consolidated in the third quarter.

Political unrest prevails in many parts of the world, especially in the Middle East and Northern Africa. The quarter shows that our global footprint, with customer in 180 countries, gives us the scale and strength to manage regional variations.

Profitability showed stable improvement across all segments. This was primarily driven by favorable business mix, higher IPR revenues as well as efficiency enhancements. Operating income was negatively impacted by effects from hedge contracts, higher operating expenses related to modems and the acquired Mediaroom business as well as planned ramp up of investments in IP. 

We continue to execute on our strategic agenda; to improve our profitability in the core business in order to invest in targeted areas such as IP networks, Cloud, TV & Media and OSS & BSS. Three important acquisitions were made in the quarter:

MetraTech accelerates our cloud and enterprise billing capabilities within BSSFabrix Systems extends our overall leadership position in TV & MediaMajority stake in Apcera that strengthens our position in enterprise cloud

During the quarter we took the strategic decision to stop all further development of modems and shift some R&D resources from segment Modems to Networks to pursue growth opportunities in the radio business.

Through our technology and services leadership we are well positioned to continue to be a strategic partner to our customers as they move to capture new market opportunities.

NOTES TO EDITORS

You find the complete report with tables in the attached PDF or by following this link:
www.ericsson.com/res/investors/docs/q-reports/2014/09month14-en.pdf or on to: www.ericsson.com/investors

Ericsson invites media, investors and analysts to a briefing at the Ericsson Studio, Grönlandsgången 4, Stockholm, at 09.00 (CET), October 24, 2014.
An analysts, investors and media conference call will begin at 14.00 (CET).

Live webcast of the briefing and conference call details, as well as supporting slides, will be available at www.ericsson.com/press and www.ericsson.com/investors

Video material will be published during the day on www.ericsson.com/press

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Helena Norrman, Senior Vice President, Communications
Phone: +46 10 719 34 72
E-mail: media.relations@ericsson.com

Investors

Peter Nyquist, Head of Investor Relations
Phone: +46 10 714 64 49
E-mail: peter.nyquist@ericsson.com

Åsa Konnbjer, Director, Investor Relations
Phone: +46 10 713 39 28
E-mail: asa.konnbjer@ericsson.com

Stefan Jelvin, Director, Investor Relations
Phone: +46 10 714 20 39
E-mail: stefan.jelvin@ericsson.com

Rikard Tunedal, Director, Investor Relations
Phone: +46 10 714 54 00
E-mail: rikard.tunedal@ericsson.com

Media

Ola Rembe, Vice President, Head of External Communications
Phone: +46 10 719 97 27
E-mail: media.relations@ericsson.com

Corporate Communications
Phone: +46 10 719 69 92
E-mail: media.relations@ericsson.com

Ericsson discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication at 07.30 CET, on October 24, 2014.

Ericsson third quarter report 2014


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Source: Ericsson via Globenewswire
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