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

October 16, 2009

 

 

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 October 16, 2009 regarding “Sony Ericsson reports third quarter results.”

 

 

 

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PRESS RELEASE		October 16, 2009

Sony Ericsson reports third quarter results

Q3 highlights:

 

•

Decline in global handset market slowing down

 

•

Positive trend from continuing transformation programme

 

•

External financing arranged

 

•

Refreshed brand in time for Aino™ and Satio™ launch in Q4

The consolidated financial summary for Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Ericsson) for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009 is as follows:

 

		Q3 2008			Q2 2009			Q3 2009
Number of units shipped (million)		25.7			13.8			14.1
Sales (Euro m.)		2,808			1,684			1,619
Gross margin (%)		22	%		12	%		16	%
Operating income (Euro m.)		-33			-274			-193
Operating margin (%)		-1	%		-16	%		-12	%
Restructuring charges (Euro m.)		35			1			2
Operating income excl. restructuring charges (Euro m.)		2			-274			-191
Operating margin excl. restructuring charges (%)		0	%		-16	%		-12	%
Income before taxes (IBT) (Euro m.)		-23			-283			-199
IBT excl. restructuring charges (Euro m.)		12			-283			-198
Net income (Euro m.)		-25			-213			-164
Average selling price (Euro)		109			122			114

Units shipped in the quarter were 14.1 million, an increase of 2% quarter-on-quarter and a decrease of 45% year-on-year. Sales for the quarter were Euro 1,619 million, a sequential decrease of 4% and a year-on-year decrease of 42%. The sequential decline in ASP (Average Selling Price) was due to product mix and continued challenging market conditions.

Gross margin improved sequentially but dropped year-on-year due to lower sales and foreign exchange fluctuations. The sequential improvement was seen in both percentage rate and volume, driven by cost savings actions and successful sales of the W995 Walkman^® phone.

Income before taxes for the quarter, excluding restructuring charges, was a loss of Euro 198 million compared to a loss of Euro 283 million from the previous quarter. The reduced loss was due to better gross margin, as well as reduced operating expenses.

“Our business in the third quarter started to show the effects of our ongoing transformation programme. Having refreshed our brand we are now better positioned to support the launch of new products such as Aino™ and Satio™ in Q4 2009. We have cleared channel inventories, and have continued to realign internal resources and improve efficiency. We have also arranged external financing to strengthen the company’s financial position,” said Dick Komiyama, outgoing President, Sony Ericsson. “Transforming the business for future growth and returning Sony Ericsson to profitability is the focus of the senior management team and will continue under the new leadership.”

As of September 30, 2009, Sony Ericsson had a net cash position of Euro 841 million.

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Since the beginning of the quarter, facilities of Euro 455 million were signed to strengthen the balance sheet and improve liquidity. Euro 155 million were drawn by the end of September and Euro 100 million were drawn in the beginning of October. In addition, a two-year committed back-up facility of Euro 200 million is available but has not been utilized. The parent companies have guaranteed Euro 350 million of these facilities on a 50/50 basis.

Programmes started since mid 2008 to reduce annual operating expenses by Euro 880 million are continuing, with the full benefit expected during the second half of 2010. The total restructuring charges for these programmes are estimated to be well within the previously announced Euro 500 million.

As of October 15, 2009; Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman, CEO and President of Sony Corporation and a member of the Sony Ericsson board, became Chairman of the Sony Ericsson board succeeding Carl-Henric Svanberg. At the same time, Bert Nordberg became President of Sony Ericsson succeeding Dick Komiyama, who remains as Executive Advisor until the end of 2009.

Sony Ericsson forecasts that the global handset market for 2009 will contract by approximately 10% from around 1,190 million units in 2008. Sony Ericsson estimates that its market share in units was about 5% in the third quarter.

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

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

WALKMAN^® is a trademark of Sony Corporation.

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.

A live webcast of the conference call will be available on October 16, 2009 at the following times:

TIMING

14:00 UK time (BST)

15:00 Central European time (CET)

09:00 US Eastern time (EDT)

22:00 Japan time (JST)

WEBCAST:

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

Or please click here to join the webcast directly:

http://www.thomson-

webcast.net/uk/dispatching/?event_id=191bc04e8408cb47571b7b46c700aca4&portal_id=ccec29148a44ec4b8077c845c5b4cbba

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 1951
Sweden:		+46 8 5352 6408
US:		+1 718 354 1385
Japan:		+81 3 3570 8227

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 October 21, 2009.

 

UK and Europe:		+44 20 7111 1244
Sweden:		+46 8 5051 3897
US:		+1 347 366 9565
Japan:		+81 3 5767 9615
Replay passcode:        2462154#

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EDITOR’S NOTES:

Financial statements and additional information:

Financial statements:

Consolidated income statement

Consolidated income statement – isolated quarters

Consolidated balance sheet

Consolidated statement of cash flows

Consolidated statement of cash flows – isolated quarters

Additional information:

Net sales by market area by quarter

- ENDS -

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

Gary Pinkham (Stockholm) +46 10 719 0858

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

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.

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Sony Ericsson

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

 

		Jul-Sep
EUR million		2009			2008			Change
Net sales		1,619			2,808			-42	%
Cost of sales		-1,367			-2,192			-38	%
Gross profit		252			616			-59	%
Gross margin %		15.5	%		21.9	%		-6	%
Research and development expenses		-260			-337			-23	%
Selling and administrative expenses		-205			-303			-32	%
Operating expenses		-465			-640			-27	%
Other operating income, net		21			-8			356	%
Operating income		-193			-33			488	%
Operating margin %		-11.9	%		-1.2	%		-11	%
Financial income		3			25			-88	%
Financial expenses		-9			-15			-36	%
Income after financial items		-199			-23			776	%
Taxes		42			6			549	%
Minority interest		-6			-8			-26	%
Net income		-164			-25			565	%
Number of units shipped (million)		14.1			25.7			-45	%
ASP (EUR)		114			109			5	%
		Jul-Sep			Jul-Sep
EUR Million		2009			2008
Restructuring charges
Cost of sales		0			0
Research and development expenses		1			26
Sales and administrative expenses		1			3
Other operating income, net		0			6
Total		2			35

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Sony Ericsson

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

 

		Jan-Sep
EUR million		2009			2008			Change
Net sales		5,038			8,330			-40	%
Cost of sales		-4,441			-6,274			-29	%
Gross profit		597			2,056			-71	%
Gross margin %		11.9	%		24.7	%		-13	%
Research and development expenses		-808			-1,020			-21	%
Selling and administrative expenses		-665			-883			-25	%
Operating expenses		-1,473			-1,903			-23	%
Other operating income, net		39			-3			-1233	%
Operating income		-837			149			-661	%
Operating margin %		-16.6	%		1.8	%		-18	%
Financial income		18			73			-76	%
Financial expenses		-34			-44			-23	%
Income after financial items		-853			179			-577	%
Taxes		200			-50			-499	%
Minority interest		-16			-14			15	%
Net income		-669			114			-685	%
Number of units shipped (million)		42.5			72.5			-41	%
ASP (EUR)		119			115			3	%
		Jan-Sep			Jan-Sep
EUR Million		2009			2008
Restructuring charges
Cost of sales		-2			8
Research and development expenses		12			28
Sales and administrative expenses		4			4
Other operating income, net		0			6
Total		15			46

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Sony Ericsson

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT—ISOLATED QUARTERS

 

		2009									2008
EUR million		Q3			Q2			Q1			Q4			Q3			Q2			Q1
Net sales		1,619			1,684			1,736			2,914			2,808			2,820			2,702
Cost of sales		-1,367			-1,483			-1,591			-2,476			-2,192			-2,168			-1,914
Gross profit		252			200			145			438			616			653			788
Gross margin %		15.5	%		11.9	%		8.4	%		15.0	%		21.9	%		23.1	%		29.2	%
Research and development expenses		-260			-245			-303			-359			-337			-344			-339
Selling and administrative expenses		-205			-235			-225			-366			-303			-310			-270
Operating expenses		-465			-480			-528			-725			-640			-653			-610
Other operating income, net		21			6			13			24			-8			-2			6
Operating income		-193			-274			-369			-262			-33			-2			184
Operating margin %		-11.9	%		-16.3	%		-21.3	%		-9.0	%		-1.2	%		-0.1	%		6.8	%
Financial income		3			6			9			28			25			25			24
Financial expenses		-9			-15			-10			-27			-15			-14			-15
Income after financial items		-199			-283			-370			-261			-23			8			193
Taxes		42			74			84			81			6			0			-57
Minority interest		-6			-4			-6			-7			-8			-3			-3
Net income		-164			-213			-293			-187			-25			6			133
Number of units shipped (million)		14.1			13.8			14.5			24.2			25.7			24.4			22.3
ASP (EUR)		114			122			120			121			109			116			121
		2009									2008
EUR Million		Q3			Q2			Q1			Q4			Q3			Q2
Restructuring charges
Cost of sales		0			-9			7			67			0			8
Research and development expenses		1			9			2			35			26			2
Sales and administrative expenses		1			1			3			24			3			1
Other operating income, net		0			0			0			3			6			0
Total		2			1			12			129			35			11

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Sony Ericsson

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

 

EUR million		Sep 30 2009		Jun 30 2009		Dec 31 2008		Sep 30 2008
ASSETS
Total fixed and financial assets		757		736		590		649
Current assets
Inventories		397		404		531		717
Accounts receivables		917		936		1,629		1,815
Other assets		416		379		585		527
Other short-term cash investments		464		456		707		918
Cash and bank		532		509		418		555
Total current assets		2,726		2,685		3,870		4,532
Total assets		3,482		3,421		4,460		5,180
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Shareholders’ equity		532		694		1,217		1,429
Minority interest		43		66		57		50
Total equity		575		760		1,274		1,480
Total long-term liabilities		81		30		30		39
Accounts payable		1,019		848		990		1,453
Other current liabilities		1,807		1,782		2,166		2,208
Total current liabilities		2,826		2,630		3,156		3,661
Total shareholders’ equity and liabilities		3,482		3,421		4,460		5,180
Net cash*		841		965		1,072		1,374

 

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

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Sony Ericsson

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

		Jul-Sep
EUR million		2009		2008
OPERATIONS
Net income		-164		-25
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash		20		39
		-143		15
Changes in operating net assets		49		88
Cash flow from operating activities		-94		102
INVESTMENTS
Investing activities		-42		-55
Cash flow from investing activities		-42		-55
FINANCING
Financing activities		159		-238
Cash flow from financing activities		159		-238
Net change in cash		22		-191
Cash, beginning of period		965		1,591
Translation difference in Cash		9		74
Cash, end of period		996		1,473

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Sony Ericsson

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

		Jan-Sep
EUR million		2009		2008
OPERATIONS
Net income		-669		114
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash		87		108
		-583		223
Changes in operating net assets		431		-155
Cash flow from operating activities		-152		68
INVESTMENTS
Investing activities		-74		-105
Cash flow from investing activities		-74		-105
FINANCING
Financing activities		106		-708
Cash flow from financing activities		106		-708
Net change in cash		-120		-745
Cash, beginning of period		1,125		2,155
Translation difference in Cash		-9		62
Cash, end of period		996		1,473

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Sony Ericsson

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS—ISOLATED QUARTERS

 

		2009						2008
EUR million		Jul-Sep		Apr-Jun		Jan-Mar		Oct-Dec		Jul-Sep		Apr-Jun		Jan-Mar
OPERATIONS
Net income		-164		-213		-293		-187		-25		6		133
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash		20		37		29		37		39		40		31
		-143		-176		-263		-150		15		46		164
Changes in operating net assets		49		60		321		-168		88		-142		-101
Cash flow from operating activities		-94		-115		58		-318		102		-96		64
INVESTMENTS
Investing activities		-42		-13		-19		41		-55		-29		-22
Cash flow from investing activities		-42		-13		-19		41		-55		-29		-22
FINANCING
Financing activities		159		0		- 53		- 46		- 238		- 8		- 462
Cash flow from financing activities		159		0		-53		-46		-238		-8		-462
Net change in cash		22		-128		-14		-323		-191		-133		-421
Cash, beginning of period		965		1,116		1,125		1,473		1,591		1,711		2,155
Translation difference in Cash		9		-23		5		-25		74		13		-24
Cash, end of period		996		965		1,116		1,125		1,473		1,591		1,711

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Sony Ericsson

NET SALES BY MARKET AREA BY QUARTER

 

EUR million
		2009									2008
Isolated quarters		Q3			Q2			Q1			Q4			Q3			Q2			Q1
Europe, Middle East & Africa *		875			927			977			1,642			1,427			1,386			1,494
Americas		232			195			200			636			703			740			486
Asia		512			562			559			636			678			694			722
Total		1,619			1,684			1,736			2,914			2,808			2,820			2,702
* of which Western Europe		636			678			721			1,117			947			900			979
		2009									2008
Sequential change (%)		Q3			Q2			Q1			Q4			Q3			Q2			Q1
Europe, Middle East & Africa *		-6	%		-5	%		-40	%		15	%		3	%		-7	%		-34	%
Americas		19	%		-3	%		-69	%		-10	%		-5	%		52	%		-24	%
Asia		-9	%		1	%		-12	%		-6	%		-2	%		-4	%		-18	%
Total		-4	%		-3	%		-40	%		4	%		0	%		4	%		-28	%
* of which Western Europe		-6	%		-6	%		-35	%		18	%		5	%		-8	%		-38	%
		2009									2008
Year over year change (%)		Q3			Q2			Q1			Q4			Q3			Q2			Q1
Europe, Middle East & Africa *		-39	%		-33	%		-35	%		-27	%		-17	%		-20	%		-7	%
Americas		-67	%		-74	%		-59	%		0	%		23	%		48	%		33	%
Asia		-25	%		-19	%		-23	%		-28	%		-17	%		-21	%		-25	%
Total		-42	%		-40	%		-36	%		-23	%		-10	%		-9	%		-8	%
* of which Western Europe		-33	%		-25	%		-26	%		-29	%		-14	%		-18	%		-9	%
		2009									2008
Year to date		0909			0906			0903			0812			0809			0806			0803
Europe, Middle East & Africa *		2,778			1,903			977			5,947			4,306			2,879			1,494
Americas		627			395			200			2,566			1,930			1,226			486
Asia		1,633			1,121			559			2,731			2,094			1,416			722
Total		5,038			3,419			1,736			11,244			8,330			5,522			2,702
* of which Western Europe		2,036			1,400			721			3,943			2,826			1,879			979
		2009									2008
YTD year over year change (%)		0909			0906			0903			0812			0809			0806			0803
Europe, Middle East & Africa *		-35	%		-34	%		-35	%		-18	%		-15	%		-13	%		-7	%
Americas		-67	%		-68	%		-59	%		24	%		34	%		42	%		33	%
Asia		-22	%		-21	%		-23	%		-23	%		-21	%		-23	%		-25	%
Total		-40	%		-38	%		-36	%		-13	%		-9	%		-9	%		-8	%
* of which Western Europe		-28	%		-26	%		-26	%		-19	%		-14	%		-14	%		-9	%

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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.

 

Date: October 16, 2009