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 20, 2011

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 20, 2011 regarding “Sony Ericsson reports fourth quarter and full year 2010 results”


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/    NINA MACPHERSON        

  Nina Macpherson
  Senior Vice President and
  General Counsel

By:

 

/S/    HENRY STÉNSON        

  Henry Sténson
  Senior Vice President
  Corporate Communications

Date: January 20, 2011


LOGO

 

PRESS RELEASE   January 20, 2011

Sony Ericsson reports fourth quarter and full year 2010 results

Highlights:

 

   

Four consecutive quarters of profitability during 2010

 

   

Improvement of Euro 1.1 billion of income before taxes, excluding restructuring charges, for the full year

 

   

Over 9 million Android-based Xperia™ phones shipped since launch

The consolidated financial summary for Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Ericsson) for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2010 is as follows:

 

     Q4 2009     Q3 2010     Q4 2010     FY 2009     FY 2010  

Number of units shipped (million)

     14.6        10.4        11.2        57.1        43.1   

Sales (Euro m.)

     1,750        1,603        1,528        6,788        6,294   

Gross margin (%)

     23     30     30     15     29

Operating income (Euro m.)

     -181        63        39        -1,018        159   

Operating margin (%)

     -10     4     3     -15     3

Restructuring charges (Euro m.)

     -150        -4        -3        -164        -42   

Operating income excl. restructuring charges (Euro m.)

     -32        67        43        -854        202   

Operating margin excl. restructuring charges (%)

     -2     4     3     -13     3

Income before taxes (IBT) (Euro m.)

     -190        62        35        -1,043        147   

IBT excl. restructuring charges (Euro m.)

     -40        66        39        -878        189   

Net income (Euro m.)

     -167        49        8        -836        90   

Average selling price (Euro)

     120        154        136        119        146   

Bert Nordberg, President & CEO of Sony Ericsson commented, “2010 was a turnaround year for Sony Ericsson. Our four consecutive quarters of profit reflect the success of our shift towards an Android-based smartphone portfolio. We will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the creation of Sony Ericsson in 2011, and as shown by the recently announced Xperia™ arc, we will continue to focus on delivering the most entertaining smartphones worldwide.”

Income before taxes, excluding restructuring charges, was Euro 189 million for the full year 2010, compared with a loss of Euro 878 million in 2009. The improvement of approximately Euro 1.1 billion was driven by the success of a streamlined product portfolio focused on higher-end smartphones and an improved cost structure. Sales for the full year 2010 were Euro 6,294 million, a decrease of 7% from 2009, while gross margin improved from 15% in 2009 to 29%, in 2010.

During 2010 Sony Ericsson completed its company-wide transformation programme, improving its cost of sales ratio, reducing its global workforce by approximately 4,000 people in total, consolidating its facilities worldwide and decreasing annual operating expenses by more than Euro 880 million. The total restructuring charges for the transformation programme were Euro 381 million.

 

Sony Ericsson    Sony Ericsson House      
Mobile Communications    202 Hammersmith Road    T: +44 (0)20 8762 5800   
Management Limited    London W6 7DN, United Kingdom    www.sonyericsson.com   

VAT Number GB781457994. Registered in England Number 4257114


Units shipped during the fourth quarter were 11.2 million, a year-on-year decrease of 23%, consistent with the streamlining of the portfolio to focus on higher-end smartphones. The sequential increase of 8%, related to seasonal factors, was somewhat constrained by a lack of new product launches during the quarter. Average selling price (ASP) for the quarter was Euro 136, a 13% increase year-on-year. ASP decreased 12% sequentially, mainly due to price erosion, foreign exchange and product mix. Sales for the quarter were Euro 1,528 million, a decrease of 13% year-on-year and a decrease of 5% sequentially.

The gross margin for the fourth quarter was 30%, an increase of 7 percentage points year-on-year and essentially flat sequentially, including the benefit of some one-time items, relating to certain royalty matters and warranty estimates.

Income before taxes for the fourth quarter, excluding restructuring charges, was a profit of Euro 39 million, an increase of Euro 79 million year-on-year and a decrease of Euro 27 million sequentially, mainly due to lower sales.

Sony Ericsson’s net cash position as of December 31, 2010 was Euro 375 million. The negative cash flow from operating activities for the quarter was Euro 128 million, mainly due to increases in inventory due to seasonal factors as well as payments related to the transformation programme.

During the quarter term loan facilities of Euro 150 million matured and were repaid in full.

Sony Ericsson estimates that the global handset market for the full year 2010 increased slightly in volume to almost 1.2 billion units. The company estimates that the global handset market for the fourth quarter was essentially flat year-on-year and its market share for the fourth quarter was approximately 3% in units and approximately 5% in value. Sony Ericsson estimates that its market share for the full year 2010 was approximately 4% in units and approximately 6% in value.

Sony Ericsson forecasts modest growth in units in the global handset market for 2011.

The liquid identity is a registered trademark of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB. Xperia™ is a trademark 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 and subject to change without prior notice.

EDITOR’S NOTES:

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

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. Sony Ericsson’s 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 .

- ENDS –

 

Sony Ericsson    Sony Ericsson House      
Mobile Communications    202 Hammersmith Road    T: +44 (0)20 8762 5800   
Management Limited    London W6 7DN, United Kingdom    www.sonyericsson.com   

VAT Number GB781457994. Registered in England Number 4257114


CONTACTS:

Ericsson investor relations

Susanne Andersson (Stockholm) +46 10 719 4631

Sony investor relations

Yoshinori Hashitani (Tokyo) +81 3 6748 2111

Yas Hasegawa (London) +44 20 7426 8696

Press / Media

Sony Ericsson global communications and PR

Aldo Liguori (London) +44 20 8762 5860

Gustaf Brusewitz (London) +44 7960 58 19 68

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Sony Ericsson has 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    Sony Ericsson House      
Mobile Communications    202 Hammersmith Road    T: +44 (0)20 8762 5800   
Management Limited    London W6 7DN, United Kingdom    www.sonyericsson.com   

VAT Number GB781457994. Registered in England Number 4257114


Sony Ericsson

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

 

     Oct-Dec            Jan-Dec  
EUR million    2009     2010     Change            2009     2010     Change  

Net sales

     1,750        1,528        -13        6,788        6,294        -7

Cost of sales

     -1,341        -1,069        -20        -5,782        -4,440        -23

Gross profit

     409        459        12        1,006        1,853        84

Gross margin %

     23     30     7        15     29     14

Research and development expenses

     -299        -214        -28        -1,108        -840        -24

Selling and administrative expenses

     -299        -212        -29        -964        -893        -7

Operating expenses

     -599        -427        -29        -2,072        -1,732        -16

Other operating income, net

     8        7        -13        48        38        -21

Operating income

     -181        39             -1,018        159     

Operating margin %

     -10     3          -15     3  

Financial income

     4        2        -50        21        18        -14

Financial expenses

     -12        -6        -50        -46        -30        -35

Income before taxes

     -190        35             -1,043        147     

Taxes

     36        -27             236        -48     

Minority interest

     -12        0             -29        -9        -69

Net income

     -167        8             -836        90     

Number of units shipped (million)

     14.6        11.2        -23        57.1        43.1        -25

ASP (EUR)

     120        136        13        119        146        23
EUR million      Oct-Dec             Jan-Dec     
Restructuring charges      2009        2010             2009        2010     

Cost of sales

     -41        2             -39        -32     

Research and development expenses

     -72        0             -84        7     

Sales and administrative expenses

     -37        -5             -41        -17     

Total

     -150        -3             -164        -42     

 

Sony Ericsson    Sony Ericsson House      
Mobile Communications    202 Hammersmith Road    T: +44 (0)20 8762 5800   
Management Limited    London W6 7DN, United Kingdom    www.sonyericsson.com   

VAT Number GB781457994. Registered in England Number 4257114


Sony Ericsson

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT - ISOLATED QUARTERS

 

     2009            2010  
EUR million    Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4            Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4  

Net sales

     1,736        1,684        1,619        1,750           1,405        1,757        1,603        1,528   

Cost of sales

     -1,591        -1,483        -1,367        -1,341           -975        -1,266        -1,130        -1,069   
                   

Gross profit

     145        200        252        409           429        492        473        459   

Gross margin %

     8     12     16     23        31     28     30     30

Research and development expenses

     -303        -245        -260        -299           -216        -218        -191        -214   

Selling and administrative expenses

     -225        -235        -205        -299           -207        -245        -228        -212   
                   

Operating expenses

     -528        -480        -465        -599           -423        -463        -420        -427   

Other operating income, net

     13        6        21        8           14        7        10        7   
                   

Operating income

     -369        -274        -193        -181           20        36        63        39   

Operating margin %

     -21     -16     -12     -10        1     2     4     3

Financial income

     9        6        3        4           7        2        7        2   

Financial expenses

     -10        -15        -9        -12           -9        -7        -8        -6   
                   

Income before taxes

     -370        -283        -199        -190           18        31        62        35   

Taxes

     84        74        42        36           6        -16        -12        -27   

Minority interest

     -6        -4        -6        -12           -3        -4        -2        0   
                   

Net income

     -293        -213        -164        -167           21        12        49        8   

Number of units shipped (million)

     14.5        13.8        14.1        14.6           10.5        11.0        10.4        11.2   

ASP (EUR)

     120        122        114        120           134        160        154        136   
EUR million    2009            2010  
Restructuring charges    Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4            Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4  

Cost of sales

     -7        9        0        -41           2        -33        -3        2   

Research and development expenses

     -2        -9        -1        -72           -2        -1        10        0   

Sales and administrative expenses

     -3        -1        -1        -37           -3        2        -11        -5   

Total

     -12        -1        -2        -150           -3        -32        -4        -3   

 

Sony Ericsson    Sony Ericsson House      
Mobile Communications    202 Hammersmith Road    T: +44 (0)20 8762 5800   
Management Limited    London W6 7DN, United Kingdom    www.sonyericsson.com   

VAT Number GB781457994. Registered in England Number 4257114


Sony Ericsson

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

 

     Dec 31      Jun 30      Sep 30      Dec 31  
EUR million    2009      2010      2010      2010  

ASSETS

           

Total fixed and financial assets

     779         836         813         803   

Current assets

           

Inventories

     358         467         457         460   

Accounts receivable

     832         1,063         986         836   

Other assets

     415         412         328         295   

Other short-term cash investments

     489         477         440         276   

Cash and bank

     389         562         482         329   
                                   

Total current assets

     2,483         2,981         2,692         2,196   
                                     

Total assets

     3,262         3,817         3,505         2,999   
                                     

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

           

Shareholders’ equity

     381         510         480         532   

Minority interest

     47         66         62         42   
                                   

Total equity

     428         575         541         574   

Borrowing, Non Current

     0         101         100         100   

Other long-term liabilities

     32         40         30         32   
                                   

Total long-term liabilities

     32         141         130         132   

Accounts payable

     852         973         922         769   

Borrowing, Current

     258         329         284         130   

Other current liabilities

     1,692         1,798         1,628         1,394   
                                   

Total current liabilities

     2,802         3,101         2,834         2,293   
                                     

Total shareholders’ equity and liabilities

     3,262         3,817         3,505         2,999   
                                     

Net cash*

     620         609         538         375   

 

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

 

Sony Ericsson    Sony Ericsson House      
Mobile Communications    202 Hammersmith Road    T: +44 (0)20 8762 5800   
Management Limited    London W6 7DN, United Kingdom    www.sonyericsson.com   

VAT Number GB781457994. Registered in England Number 4257114


Sony Ericsson

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

     Oct-Dec             Jan-Dec  
EUR million    2009      2010             2009      2010  

OPERATING

              

Net income

     -167         8            -836         90   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash

     48         -50            135         -156   
                    
     -119         -42            -701         -65   

Changes in operating net assets

     -97         -86            333         -183   
                    

Cash flow from operating activities

     -216         -128            -368         -248   

INVESTING

              

Investing activities

     -10         -18            -84         -4   
                    

Cash flow from investing activities

     -10         -18            -84         -4   

FINANCING

              

Financing activities

     100         - 178            205         - 60   
                    

Cash flow from financing activities

     100         -178            205         -60   

Net change in cash

     -126         -324            -247         -312   

Cash, beginning of period

     996         921            1,125         878   

Translation difference in Cash

     8         7            -1         38   
                    

Cash, end of period

     878         605            878         605   
               

 

Sony Ericsson    Sony Ericsson House      
Mobile Communications    202 Hammersmith Road    T: +44 (0)20 8762 5800   
Management Limited    London W6 7DN, United Kingdom    www.sonyericsson.com   

VAT Number GB781457994. Registered in England Number 4257114


Sony Ericsson

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS - ISOLATED QUARTERS

 

     2009             2010  
EUR million    Q1      Q2      Q3      Q4             Q1      Q2      Q3      Q4  

OPERATING

                          

Net income

     -293         -213         -164         -167            21         12         49         8   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash

     29         37         20         48            -44         4         -66         -50   
                    
     -263         -176         -143         -119            -23         16         -17         -42   

Changes in operating net assets

     321         60         49         -97            -72         13         -38         -86   
                    

Cash flow from operating activities

     58         -115         -94         -216            -94         29         -54         -128   

INVESTING

                          

Investing activities

     -19         -13         -42         -10            27         -15         2         -18   
                    

Cash flow from investing activities

     -19         -13         -42         -10            27         -15         2         -18   

FINANCING

                          

Financing activities

     - 53         0         159         100            150         0         - 32         - 178   
                    

Cash flow from financing activities

     -53         0         159         100            150         0         -32         -178   

Net change in cash

     -14         -128         22         -126            83         15         -85         -324   

Cash, beginning of period

     1,125         1,116         965         996            878         980         1,039         921   

Translation difference in Cash

     5         -23         9         8            19         45         -33         7   
                    

Cash, end of period

     1,116         965         996         878            980         1,039         921         605   
               

 

Sony Ericsson    Sony Ericsson House      
Mobile Communications    202 Hammersmith Road    T: +44 (0)20 8762 5800   
Management Limited    London W6 7DN, United Kingdom    www.sonyericsson.com   

VAT Number GB781457994. Registered in England Number 4257114


Sony Ericsson

NET SALES BY MARKET AREA BY QUARTER

EUR million

 

     2009            2010  
Isolated quarters    Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4             Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4  

Europe, Middle East & Africa *

     977        927        875        966           711        876        837        795   

Americas

     200        195        232        222           201        223        222        205   

Asia

     559        562        512        562                 493        659        544        528   

Total

     1,736        1,684        1,619        1,750                 1,405        1,757        1,603        1,528   

* of which Western Europe

     721        678        636        678           525        668        632        569   
     2009            2010  
Sequential change (%)    Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4             Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4  

Europe, Middle East & Africa *

     -40     -5     -6     10        -26     23     -4     -5

Americas

     -69     -3     19     -4        -9     11     0     -8

Asia

     -12     1     -9     10              -12     34     -17     -3

Total

     -40     -3     -4     8              -20     25     -9     -5

* of which Western Europe

     -35     -6     -6     7        -23     27     -5     -10
     2009            2010  
Year over year change (%)    Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4             Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4  

Europe, Middle East & Africa *

     -35     -33     -39     -41        -27     -6     -4     -18

Americas

     -59     -74     -67     -65        1     14     -4     -8

Asia

     -23     -19     -24     -12              -12     17     6     -6

Total

     -36     -40     -42     -40              -19     4     -1     -13

* of which Western Europe

     -26     -25     -33     -39        -27     -1     -1     -16
     2009            2010  
Year to date    0903     0906     0909     0912             1003     1006     1009     1012  

Europe, Middle East & Africa *

     977        1,903        2,778        3,744           711        1,587        2,424        3,219   

Americas

     200        395        627        850           201        424        646        851   

Asia

     559        1,121        1,633        2,194                 493        1,152        1,695        2,224   

Total

     1,736        3,419        5,038        6,788                 1,405        3,162        4,765        6,294   

* of which Western Europe

     721        1,400        2,036        2,714           525        1,193        1,825        2,393   
     2009            2010  
YTD year over year change (%)    0903     0906     0909     0912             1003     1006     1009     1012  

Europe, Middle East & Africa *

     -35     -34     -35     -37        -27     -17     -13     -14

Americas

     -59     -68     -68     -67        1     7     3     0

Asia

     -23     -21     -22     -20              -12     3     4     1

Total

     -36     -38     -40     -40              -19     -8     -5     -7

* of which Western Europe

     -26     -25     -28     -31        -27     -15     -10     -12

 

Sony Ericsson    Sony Ericsson House      
Mobile Communications    202 Hammersmith Road    T: +44 (0)20 8762 5800   
Management Limited    London W6 7DN, United Kingdom    www.sonyericsson.com   

VAT Number GB781457994. Registered in England Number 4257114