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 25, 2019

Commission File Number 000-12033

 

 

LM ERICSSON TELEPHONE COMPANY

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

 

Torshamnsgatan 21, 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   Form 40-F  ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):  ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):  ☐

Announcement of LM Ericsson Telephone Company, January 25, 2019 regarding “Fourth quarter and full-year report 2018”.

 

 

 


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.

 

T ELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM E RICSSON (publ)
By:  

/s/ XAVIER DEDULLEN

  Xavier Dedullen
  Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer
By:  

/s/ CARL MELLANDER

  Carl Mellander
  Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Date: January  25, 2019


LOGO

Fourth quarter and

full-year report 2018

Stockholm, January 25, 2019

Fourth quarter highlights

 

   

Sales as reported increased by 10% YoY and sales adjusted for comparable units and currency increased by 4%.

 

   

Networks sales adjusted for comparable units and currency grew by 6% YoY. Digital Services sales adjusted for comparable units and currency grew by 5% YoY.

 

   

Costs related to revised Business Support Systems (BSS) strategy of SEK -6.1 b., of which SEK -3.1 b. were restructuring charges, impacted Digital Services operating income in Q4.

 

   

Gross margin was 25.7% (21.6%). Gross margin, excluding restructuring charges and other costs related to revised BSS strategy, improved to 36.3%, supported by cost reductions, the ramp-up of Ericsson Radio System (ERS) and the contract review in Managed Services.

 

   

Operating margin was -2.9% (-33.3%). Operating margin, excluding restructuring charges and other costs related to revised BSS strategy, was 8.7%.

 

   

Networks operating margin excluding restructuring charges was 17.5% (8.6%). The increase was driven by cost reductions, the ERS ramp-up and reversal of provisions for impairment losses on trade receivables, partly offset by increased investments in R&D.

 

   

Digital Services operating income, excluding restructuring charges and costs related to revised BSS strategy, was SEK -0.6 b.

 

   

Managed Services operating margin excluding restructuring charges increased to 5.2% (-13.0%). The review of all 42 low-performing customer contracts has been completed.

Full-year highlights

 

   

Sales as reported increased by 3% and sales adjusted for comparable units and currency increased by 1%, with Networks growing by 3% – the first year of organic growth for Ericsson since 2013.

 

   

Gross margin was 32.3% (23.3%). Gross margin excluding restructuring charges improved to 35.2% (25.9%), supported by cost reductions, the ramp-up of Ericsson Radio System (ERS) and the review of managed services contracts.

 

   

Operating income was SEK 1.2 (-34.7) b. Operating income excluding restructuring charges was SEK 9.3 (-26.2) b. driven by higher gross margin and sales as well as lower operating expenses.

 

   

Cash flow from operating activities was SEK 9.3 (9.6) b. Free cash flow excluding M&A amounted to SEK 4.3 (4.8) b. Net cash at year-end was SEK 35.9 (34.7) b.

 

   

The Board of Directors will propose a dividend for 2018 of SEK 1.00 (1.00) per share to the AGM.

 

SEK b.

   Q4
2018
    Q4
2017
    YoY
change
    Q3
2018
    QoQ
change
    Full-year
2018
    Full-year
2017
    Full-year
change
 

Net sales

     63.8       57.9       10     53.8       19     210.8       205.4       3

Sales growth adj. for comparable units and currency

     —         —         4     —         19     —         —         1

Gross margin

     25.7     21.6     —         36.5     —         32.3     23.3     —    

Operating income (loss)

     -1.9       -19.3       —         3.2       -157     1.2       -34.7       —    

Operating margin

     -2.9     -33.3     —         6.0     —         0.6     -16.9     —    

Net income (loss)

     -6.5       -18.5       —         2.7       —         -6.3       -32.4       —    

EPS diluted, SEK

     -1.99       -5.63       —         0.83       —         -1.98       -9.94       —    

EPS (non-IFRS), SEK 1)

     -0.77       -1.09       —         1.03       -175     0.27       -3.24       —    

Cash flow from operating activities

     4.3       11.2       -62     2.0       110     9.3       9.6       -3

Free cash flow excluding M&A 2)

     3.0       10.2       -71     0.7       —         4.3       4.8       -12

Net cash, end of period

     35.9       34.7       4     32.0       12     35.9       34.7       4

Gross margin excluding restructuring charges

     32.0     25.1     —         36.9     —         35.2     25.9     —    

Operating income (loss) excluding restructuring charges

     2.6       -16.9       —         3.8       -33     9.3       -26.2       -135

Operating margin excluding restructuring charges

     4.0     -29.1     —         7.0     —         4.4     -12.8     —    

 

1)

EPS diluted, excl. amortizations and write-downs of acquired intangible assets, and excluding restructuring charges. Potential ordinary shares are not considered when their conversion to ordinary shares would increase earnings per share.

2)

Free cash flow excluding M&A: See Alternative Performance Measures (APM) at the end of the report.

Non-IFRS financial measures are reconciled to the most directly reconcilable line items in the financial statements at the end of this report.

 

   
1    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018                        


CEO comments

Our focused strategy has yielded clear results. Ericsson is today a stronger company. Increased investments in R&D for future growth, managed services contract reviews, combined with efficient cost control have proven to be successful, with improved competitiveness and profitability as a result. As the industry moves to 5G and IoT, we will now take the next step, focusing on profitable growth in a selective and disciplined way.

Sales have gradually improved during 2018, resulting in full-year organic sales growth 1 ) for the first time since 2013. This is partly due to an improved market, but also driven by market share gains in Networks as a result of a more competitive radio product portfolio. In parallel, gross margins 2 ) have improved across all segments, with full-year gross margin 2 ) of 35% (26%) and operating margin 2 ) of 4% (-13%).

Segment Networks had another strong quarter with high business activity across multiple regions. Networks organic sales 1 ) increased by 6% YoY, positively impacted by a recovering RAN market as well as strong performance in the product portfolio. Growth was partly due to a higher than anticipated activity level in North America driven by increased 5G demand among the US operators. Networks gross margin 2 ) improved to 41% (35%) YoY, mainly due to improved hardware margins driven by the successful shift to Ericsson Radio System (ERS). Strategic contracts and 5G field trials had a negative impact on operating margin in the quarter. R&D investments continued to grow in the quarter, but are now expected to flatten out.

In Managed Services, gross margin 2 ) improved to 12% (-5%) YoY, supported by efficiency gains and customer contract reviews. We have now addressed all 42 targeted contracts, resulting in an annualized profit improvement of SEK 0.9 b. During the year, we have increased our investments in automation, analytics and AI.

We continue to execute on our plan to turn the Digital Services business around. Focus has been on stabilizing top line, modernizing the portfolio and taking costs out. In Digital Services there has been solid progress in most portfolio areas. Underlying operating expenses 3 ) in 2018 were SEK 2.6 b. lower than in 2017. However, the Business Support Systems (BSS) area has not shown satisfactory progress and we are now in the process of reshaping the business. To speed up restructuring of the BSS business, additional measures were communicated on January 10, 2019. These measures include provisions and restructuring charges of SEK -6.1 b.,

which were taken in Q4. The reshaped strategy will set Digital Services on a stronger path to achieve the 2020 financial targets. Organic sales 1 ) in Digital Services grew by 5% YoY, driven by Cloud Core and OSS. Gross margin 2 ), adjusted for above mentioned provisions, improved to 38%. Operating income, excluding restructuring charges and other costs related to revised BSS strategy, was SEK -0.6 b. in the quarter.

In segment Emerging Business and Other, we invest in initiatives that aim to scale and help create future business for Ericsson. We manage Emerging Business initiatives for growth case by case, based on positive net present value (NPV), within 2022 Group targets. Organic segment sales 1 ) grew by 1% YoY and operating income2) was SEK -1.5 (-7.6) b. Sales growth and operating income2) in the segment, excluding the media business, was 60% and SEK -0.9 (-0.8) b. respectively.

Free cash flow excluding M&A in 2018 was lower than in 2017, primarily due to the return to growth and strong sales development at the end of the fourth quarter. In addition, sale of trade receivables was further reduced. The Board will propose a dividend of SEK 1.00 (1.00) per share to the AGM.

As previously disclosed, we are voluntarily cooperating with an investigation into Ericsson’s compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The discussions with US authorities continue and we will provide updates as appropriate.

Our R&D investments over the past two years have secured a highly competitive and industry-leading offering. We will continue to invest in 5G, automation and AI to create both customer and shareholder value. Even though costs related to strategic contracts and 5G field trials will impact margins short term, they will help reaching our targets for 2020 and 2022 as well as strengthen our business in the long term.

Börje Ekholm

President and CEO

 

1)

Organic sales growth: Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency

 

2)

Excluding restructuring charges

 

3)

Excluding net impact from amortization and capitalization of development expenses, as well as of intangible assets, risk provisions and write-downs.

 

 

Planning assumptions going forward

Market related    

 

    The Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment market is estimated to increase by 2% for full-year 2019 with 2% CAGR for 2018-2023. (Source: Dell’Oro.)

Currency exposure

 

    Rule of thumb: A weakening by 10% of USD to SEK would have a negative impact of approximately -5% on net sales and approximately -1 percentage point on operating margin.

Ericsson related

 

    5-year average sales seasonality between Q4 and Q1 is -26%.

 

    The baseline for the current IPR licensing contract portfolio is approximately SEK 8 b. on an annual basis.

 

    Strategic contracts in Networks, with initially lower margins, taken to strengthen the market position, will continue to have a negative impact on gross margin. The costs may vary between quarters, without jeopardizing 2020 financial targets.
    Costs for 5G field trials mainly in Networks will continue in 2019.

 

    R&D expenses are expected to flatten out, starting in Q1.

 

    Operating expenses typically decrease between Q4 and Q1 due to seasonality.

 

    Restructuring charges for full-year 2019 are estimated to be SEK -3 to -5 b.

 

    Cost reductions and efficiency improvements will continue in Digital Services aiming to significantly reduce losses in 2019.

 

    The planned divestment of MediaKind is ongoing: 2018 financials Media Solutions business (MediaKind incl. transaction-related costs etc): Net sales 2018: SEK 2.7 b. and Q4: SEK 0.7 b., operating income excl. restructuring charges 2018: SEK -1.7 b. and Q4: SEK -0.5 b.

 

    The estimated net impact of amortization and capitalization of development expenses and of recognition and deferral of hardware costs will be approximately SEK -1 b. for 2019, compared with SEK -2.6 b. in 2018.

 

 

 

 

   
2    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018                        CEO comments


Financial highlights

 

SEK b.

   Q4
2018
    Q4
2017
    YoY
change
    Q3
2018
    QoQ
change
    Full-year
2018
    Full-year
2017
    Full-year
change
 

Net sales

     63.8       57.9       10     53.8       19     210.8       205.4       3

Sales growth adj. for comparable units and currency

     —         —         4     —         19     —         —         1

Gross income

     16.4       12.5       31     19.6       -17     68.2       47.9       42

Gross margin (%)

     25.7     21.6     —         36.5     —         32.3     23.3     —    

Research and development (R&D) expenses

     -10.7       -9.9       7     -9.4       14     -38.9       -37.9       3

Selling and administrative expenses

     -7.7       -8.2       -7     -6.6       16     -27.5       -29.0       -5

Impairment losses on trade receivables

     0.4       -0.7       —         -0.4       —         -0.4       -3.6       —    

Other operating income and expenses

     -0.3       -12.9       -98     0.0       —         -0.2       -12.1       —    

Operating income (loss)

     -1.9       -19.3       -90     3.2       -157     1.2       -34.7       —    

Operating margin (%)

     -2.9     -33.3     —         6.0     —         0.6     -16.9     —    

Financial net

     -0.7       -0.5       38     -0.6       12     -2.7       -1.2       123

Taxes

     -3.9       1.3       —         0.1       —         -4.8       3.5       —    

Net income (loss)

     -6.5       -18.5       -65     2.7       —         -6.3       -32.4       —    

Restructuring charges

     -4.4       -2.4       82     -0.6       —         -8.0       -8.5       —    

Gross income excluding restructuring charges

     20.4       14.6       40     19.8       3     74.1       53.2       39

Gross margin excluding restructuring charges

     32.0     25.1     —         36.9     —         35.2     25.9     —    

R&D expenses excluding restructuring charges

     -10.4       -10.1       3     -9.2       14     -37.6       -35.6       6

SG&A expenses excluding restructuring charges

     -7.6       -7.7       -2     -6.5       17     -26.7       -28.1       —    

Operating income (loss) excl. restructuring charges

     2.6       -16.9       —         3.8       -33     9.3       -26.2       —    

Operating margin excluding restructuring charges

     4.0     -29.1     —         7.0     —         4.4     -12.8     —    

FOURTH QUARTER COMMENTS

 

Costs related to revised Business Support Systems (BSS) strategy

Provisions of SEK -6.1 b. were made in the quarter to reshape the Business Support Systems (BSS) strategy in Digital Services. The impact on cost of sales was SEK -5.9 b., of which SEK -3.1 b. were restructuring charges, and the impact on R&D expenses was SEK -0.2 b. (write-down of capitalized development expenses). For more information see Other information on page 18.

Net sales

Sales increased by 10% YoY. Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency increased by 4% YoY, mainly driven by sales growth in Networks and Digital Services. Networks sales adjusted for comparable units and currency increased by 6% YoY, driven by sales growth in North America, Europe and Latin America as well as in North East Asia. Digital Services sales adjusted for comparable units and currency increased by 5% YoY, mainly due to increased sales in North East Asia and North America. Managed Services sales adjusted for comparable units and currency declined by -5% YoY, mainly as a result of exited non-strategic contracts. Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency in Emerging Business and Other increased by 1% YoY, driven by growth in iconectiv.

Sequentially, sales and sales adjusted for comparable units and currency both increased by 19%, supported by sales growth of 45% in Digital Services. Networks sales adjusted for comparable units and currency grew by 16% .

IPR licensing revenues

IPR licensing revenues were flat YoY and QoQ at SEK 2.1 b.

Gross margin

Gross margin increased to 25.7% (21.6%). Gross margin excluding restructuring charges increased to 32.0% (25.1%), mainly driven by improvements in Networks and Managed Services partly offset by costs related to revised BSS strategy. Gross margin excluding total restructuring charges and other costs for revised BSS strategy was 36.3%. Cost reductions, ramp-up of Ericsson Radio System (ERS) product platform and good progress in customer contract reviews in Managed Services had a positive impact on gross margin YoY.

Write-down of assets, as well as provisions and adjustments related to certain customer projects had a significant negative impact on gross margin in 2017.

Sequentially, gross margin decreased to 25.7% from 36.5%. Gross margin excluding restructuring charges declined to 32.0% from 36.9%, mainly due to costs related to revised BSS strategy impacting cost of sales negatively.

Operating expenses

R&D expenses were SEK -10.7 (-9.9) b. R&D expenses excluding restructuring charges increased to SEK -10.4 (-10.1) b., due to increased 4G and 5G investments in Networks. The increase was partly offset by reductions in Digital Services.

Sequentially, R&D expenses increased, mainly due to seasonality.

Selling and administrative (SG&A) expenses decreased to SEK -7.7 (-8.2) b. SG&A expenses excluding restructuring charges decreased to SEK -7.6 (-7.7) b. YoY, with cost reductions of SEK 0.6 b. partly offset by increased costs for customer 5G field trials.

Sequentially, SG&A excluding restructuring charges increased due to seasonality and higher provisions for variable compensation, partly offset by reduced costs related to revaluation of customer financing.

Impairment losses on trade receivables were positive at SEK 0.4 (-0.7) b. following reversals of earlier provisions due to customer payments. Impairment losses on trade receivables were SEK -0.4 b. in Q3 2018. As of 2018, impairment testing is made using a methodology where country and customer risks are continuously assessed.

Other operating income and expenses

Other operating income and expenses were SEK -0.3 (-12.9) b. due to costs to reset the Edge Gravity (offering for edge computing) business in segment Emerging Business and Other. Write-down of assets had a significant negative impact on other operating income and expenses in 2017. There were no other operating income and expenses in Q3.

 

 

   
3    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018                        Financial highlights


Consequences of technology and portfolio shifts

Due to technology and portfolio shifts, the Company is reducing the capitalization of development expenses for product platforms and software releases as well as the deferral of hardware costs. As a consequence, higher amortization than capitalization of development expenses and higher recognition than deferral of hardware costs have a negative impact on operating income. The amounts related to capitalized software releases were fully amortized in 2017.

Net impact from amortization and capitalization of development expenses and from recognition and deferral of hardware costs

 

SEK b.

   Q4 2018      Q4 2017      Q3 2018      FY 2018      FY 2017  

Cost of sales

     -0.2        -0.8        -0.2        -0.9        -2.6  

R&D expenses

     -0.6        -0.6        -0.5        -1.7        -0.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total impact

     -0.7        -1.4        -0.7        -2.6        -2.9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Restructuring charges

Restructuring charges increased to SEK -4.4 (-2.4) b. YoY of which the main part, SEK -3.1 b., is costs related to revised BSS strategy. Restructuring charges in Q3 2018 were SEK -0.6 b.

Operating income and margin

Operating income (loss) was reduced to SEK -1.9 (-19.3) b. YoY. Operating income excluding restructuring charges improved to SEK 2.6 (-16.9) b. Improved gross margin, increased net sales and reversal of provisions for impairment losses on trade receivables had a positive impact YoY. The net impact of amortization and capitalization of development expenses and of recognition and deferral of hardware costs was SEK -0.7(-1.4) b.

Write-down of assets as well as provisions and adjustments related to certain customer projects had a significant impact on the 2017 operating expenses.

Operating income and operating margin excluding restructuring charges and other costs for revised BSS strategy were SEK 5.5 b. and 8.7% respectively.

Operating income declined sequentially to SEK -1.9 b. from SEK 3.2 b. Operating income excluding restructuring charges declined to SEK 2.6 b. from SEK 3.8 b. Negative effects from costs related to revised BSS strategy and seasonally higher operating expenses were partly offset by higher sales and reversal of provisions for impairment losses on trade receivables.

Financial net

Financial net declined to SEK -0.7 (-0.5) b. mainly due to negative effects of interest rate revaluation. The revaluation and realization effects of foreign exchange forecast hedging were SEK -0.1 (-0.1) b. In Q3 2018 there were no such effects.

Taxes

Taxes amounted to SEK -3.9 (1.3) b., negatively impacted by impairment of withholding tax assets and non-deductable expenses.

LOGO

Net income (loss) and EPS

Net income and EPS diluted increased YoY, as a consequence of the improved operating income. Sequentially, net income and EPS diluted decreased due to costs related to revised BSS strategy and increased tax costs.

Employees

The number of employees on Dec 31, 2018, was 95,359, a net increase of 860 employees in the quarter. The employee increase in the quarter is mainly in R&D.

Focused strategy execution

The following four measures are indicators of the progress of strategy execution.

 

Area

 

Activity

 

Status Q4 2018

Networks   Transition to new Ericsson Radio System   The transition is now successfully completed with 87% accumulated for full-year 2018 (2017: 61%) and 93% in Q4 2018 (ERS radio unit deliveries out of total radio unit deliveries).
Digital Services  

•  Growth in sales of new product portfolio

 

•  Net sales full-year 2018: +4%

 

•  Addressing critical customer contracts

 

•  Out of 45 contracts identified, in total 23 have been addressed (4 in Q418 isolated)

Managed Services   Addressing low-performing customer contracts   The review of all 42 contracts identified (2 in Q418 isolated) has been completed resulting in an annualized profit improvement of SEK 0.9 b. (Q3 2018: SEK 0.9 b.)
 

 

   
4    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018   

Financial highlights


FULL-YEAR COMMENTS

Net sales

Sales increased by SEK 5.5 b. or 3% to SEK 210.8 (205.4) b. Networks sales increased by SEK 6.3 b. (5%), Digital Services sales decreased by SEK -0.7 b. (-2%), Managed Services sales decreased by SEK -0.7 b. (-3%) and Emerging Business and Other sales increased by SEK 0.5 b. (7%).

The sales increase in Networks was mainly driven by higher demand for radio access network (RAN) equipment. Networks sales growth adjusted for comparable units and currency was 3%. This should be compared with the Dell’Oro estimate that the RAN equipment market would increase by 2% for full-year 2018.

The sales decrease in segment Digital Services was due to lower sales in legacy products. The sales decline in Managed Services was mainly a result of exit of low-performing and non-strategic contracts. The sales increase in segment Emerging Business and Other was driven by growth in iconectiv business due to the multi-year number portability contract in the United States.

In the geographical dimension, sales grew in North America and in Europe and Latin America.

Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency increased by 1%. The sales mix by commodity was: software 21% (21%), hardware 37% (35%) and services 42% (44%).

IPR licensing revenues

IPR licensing revenues decreased to SEK 8.0 (8.3) b. The baseline for the current IPR licensing contract portfolio is approximately SEK 8 b. on an annual basis.

Gross margin

Gross margin increased to 32.3% (23.3%) with improved margins in hardware and services mainly driven by cost reductions, ramp-up of Ericsson Radio System product platform and good progress in the review of low-performing managed services contracts. A reduced share of services sales had a positive impact on gross margin. Restructuring charges included in the gross margin increased to SEK -5.9 (-5.2) b. Costs of SEK -5.9 b., of which SEK -3.1 b. were restructuring charges, impacted gross margin in Digital Services.

Due to technology and portfolio shifts, the company has since 2017 reduced the capitalization of development expenses and the deferral of hardware costs, which had a net impact on gross income of SEK -0.9 (-2.6) b. Write-down of assets, as well as provisions and adjustments related to certain customer projects had a significant negative impact on gross margin in 2017.

Operating expenses

Operating expenses decreased to SEK -66.8 (-70.6) b. with SG&A expenses of SEK -27.5 (-29.0) b., R&D expenses of SEK -38.9 (-37.9) b. and impairment losses on trade receivables of SEK -0.4 (-3.6) b. Restructuring charges included in operating expenses were SEK -2.1 (-3.3) b.

R&D expenses increased due to increased investments in R&D for Networks. The increase was partly offset by R&D reductions in Digital Services. Higher amortized than capitalized development expenses had a negative effect on R&D expenses of SEK -1.7 (-0.3) b.

SG&A expenses were reduced as a result of cost reduction activities. The reduction was more than offset by higher provisions for variable compensation, increased costs related to revaluation of customer financing and increased costs for 5G trials.

Other operating income and expenses

Other operating income and expenses was SEK -0.2 (-12.1) b. In 2017, write-down of intangible assets had a significant negative impact on other operating expenses.

Restructuring charges

Restructuring charges amounted to SEK -8.0 (-8.5) b., which was higher than the earlier estimate of SEK -5 to -7 b. The restructuring charges in 2018 mainly relate to the cost-reduction program announced in 2017 and costs related to revised BSS strategy. Total restructuring charges for 2019 are estimated to be SEK -3 to -5 b.

Operating income and margin

Operating income improved to SEK 1.2 (-34.7) b. Higher gross margin and sales and lower operating expenses had a positive impact. Higher amortization than capitalization of development expenses and higher recognition than deferral of hardware costs impacted operating income by SEK -2.6 (-2.9) b. Write-down of assets, as well as provisions and adjustments related to certain customer projects had a significant negative impact on operating income in 2017. Operating margin was 0.6% (-16.9%). Operating margin excluding restructuring charges of SEK -8.0 (-8.5 ) b. was 4.4% (-12.8%).

Financial net

The financial net decreased to SEK -2.7 (-1.2) b., mainly due to increased negative effects of foreign exchange revaluation, negative currency hedge effects and reduced interest rates. The currency hedge effects, which derive from the hedge loan balance in USD, impacted financial net by SEK -0.5 (0.5) b. The SEK weakened against the USD between December 31, 2017 (SEK/USD rate 8.20) and December 31, 2018 (SEK/USD rate 8.94).

Taxes

Taxes were SEK -4.8 (3.5) b., negatively impacted by impairment of withholding tax assets in Sweden mainly as a result of provisions related to revised BSS strategy. In addition, non-deductible expenses, withholding tax expenses outside of Sweden and revaluation of tax assets due to a change in Swedish corporate tax rate impacted tax costs negatively.

Net income and EPS

Net income improved to SEK -6.3 (-32.4) b. driven by higher operating income partly offset by a negative financial net and increased tax costs. EPS diluted was SEK -1.98 (-9.94) and EPS (non-IFRS) was SEK 0.27 (-3.24).

Employees

The number of employees on December 31, 2018 was 95,359, a reduction of 5,376 employees compared with Dec 31, 2017.

The employee reduction was mainly in services as a consequence of the cost-reduction program. The number of R&D employees has increased by more than 1,100 in 2018.

 

 

   
5    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Financial highlights


Market area sales

 

     Fourth quarter 2018      Change  

SEK b.

   Networks      Digital
Services
     Managed
Services
     Emerging Busi-
ness and Other
     Total      YoY     QoQ  

South East Asia, Oceania and India

     6.1        1.3        0.9        0.0        8.2        5     3

North East Asia

     5.5        2.5        0.4        0.0        8.4        30     45

North America

     14.0        2.8        1.2        0.0        18.0        23     21

Europe and Latin America

     10.5        4.3        3.4        0.1        18.2        8     23

Middle East and Africa

     3.6        1.8        1.0        0.0        6.5        -14     14

Other 1)

     1.9        0.4        0.0        2.1        4.4        2     -3
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     41.6        13.0        6.9        2.3        63.8        10     19
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1)  

Market Area “Other” includes primarily licensing revenues and the major part of segment Emerging Business and Other

 

FOURTH QUARTER COMMENTS

South East Asia, Oceania and India

Sales increased YoY, primarily in Managed Services where a new contract was won in 2018. Network sales increased slightly YoY, mainly in South East Asia. Digital Services sales declined YoY due to timing of project deliveries.

North East Asia

Sales increased YoY. In Mainland China, Network sales increased with continued deployment of Narrowband IoT. Digital Services sales also increased with signing of a telecom core contract that had been delayed from previous quarters. Sales in Japan remained flat while operators plan for 5G. Large scale field trials for 5G continue in Mainland China and Japan.

North America

Networks and Digital Services sales increased YoY, primarily driven by investments in 5G readiness and expansions across all major customers. Managed Services sales grew YoY, driven by strong variable sales in large customer contracts.

Europe and Latin America

Sales increased YoY, driven by growth in Latin America and parts of Europe. Managed Services sales declined YoY as a consequence of addressed non-strategic contracts.

Middle East and Africa

Sales declined YoY. Networks sales declined due to timing of investments and monetary restrictions in certain markets. Digital Services sales declined due to timing of project milestones. Managed services sales were stable YoY.

Other

Sales increased slightly YoY, mainly driven by growth in iconectiv (part of segment Emerging Business and Other). IPR licensing revenues amounted to SEK 2.1 (2.1) b.

 

 

     Full-year 2018      Change  

SEK b.

   Networks      Digital
Services
     Managed
Services
     Emerging
Business
and Other
     Total      YoY  

South East Asia, Oceania and India

     21.3        4.8        3.4        0.0        29.6        -6

North East Asia

     15.9        4.8        1.5        0.1        22.3        -5

North America

     46.5        8.4        3.7        0.1        58.6        13

Europe and Latin America

     34.4        12.3        13.2        0.3        60.3        6

Middle East and Africa

     13.3        6.3        4.0        0.0        23.6        -5

Other 1)

     7.2        1.4        0.0        7.9        16.5        -1
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     138.6        38.1        25.8        8.4        210.8        3
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1)

Market Area “Other” includes primarily licensing revenues and the major part of segment Emerging Business and Other    

 

FULL-YEAR COMMENTS

South East Asia, Oceania and India

Sales declined, mainly due to timing of major projects in Vietnam and India. Managed services sales grew slightly mainly due to a new contract, while sales in Digital Services remained flat.

North East Asia

Sales declined due to reduced operator investments in LTE whilst the operators plan for 5G.

North America

Networks sales increased, primarily driven by investments in 5G readiness across all major customers. Digital Services sales increased as operators digitalize operations and improve customer experience to prepare for 5G. Managed Services sales grew, driven by higher variable sales in large customer contracts.

Europe and Latin America

The strong growth in Networks sales in Latin America and parts of Europe was partly offset by lower sales in Managed Services due to exit of non-strategic contracts.

Middle East and Africa

Sales declined slightly. Networks sales declined due to monetary restrictions in certain markets, Digital Services declined due to timing of project milestones while Managed Services sales were flat.

Other

Sales declined slightly. IPR licensing revenues amounted to SEK 8.0 (8.3) b.

 

 

 

   
6    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018                        Market area sales


Segment results

Networks

 

SEK b.

   Q4
2018
    Q4
2017
    YoY
change
    Q3
2018
    QoQ
change
    Full-year
2018
    Full-year
2017
    Full-year
change
 

Net sales

     41.6       37.1       12     35.9       16     138.6       132.3       5

Of which products

     29.8       25.4       17     25.3       18     96.9       90.3       7

Of which IPR licensing revenues

     1.8       1.7       2     1.8       0     6.5       6.8       -4

Of which services

     11.8       11.7       1     10.6       12     41.6       42.0       -1

Sales growth adjusted for comparable units and currency

     —         —         6     —         16     —         —         3

Gross income

     16.6       11.8       40     14.8       12     55.2       43.4       27

Gross margin

     39.9     32.0     —         41.3     —         39.8     32.8     —    

Operating income

     6.9       1.9       —         5.7       21     19.4       10.5       86

Operating margin

     16.5     5.2     —         15.7     —         14.0     7.9     —    

Restructuring charges

     -0.4       -1.3       —         -0.1       —         -1.8       -4.8       —    

Gross income excl. restructuring charges

     17.1       12.9       32     14.9       15     56.5       46.6       21

Gross margin excl. restructuring charges

     41.0     34.8     —         41.5     —         40.8     35.2     —    

Operating income excl. restructuring charges

     7.3       3.2       127     5.8       26     21.2       15.3       39

Operating margin excl. restructuring charges

     17.5     8.6     —         16.1     —         15.3     11.6     —    

FOURTH QUARTER COMMENTS

Net sales

 

Sales increased by 12% YoY and sales adjusted for comparable units and currency increased by 6%. The increase is mainly due to strong growth in North America, Europe and Latin America as well as in North East Asia, driven by investments in 5G readiness and LTE networks.

Sales increased by 16% QoQ and sales adjusted for comparable units and currency also increased by 16%. The sequential sales growth was slightly lower than normal seasonality mainly due to lower sales in India. Sales in North America were higher than anticipated and driven by large hardware deliveries.

Gross margin

Gross margin increased to 39.9% (32.0%) YoY. Gross margin excluding restructuring charges increased to 41.0% (34.8%) due to improved margins in hardware and services as well as lower negative impact of higher recognition than deferral of hardware cost. In addition, the share of hardware sales increased whereas the share of services sales decreased, which impacted gross margin positively YoY.

Provisions and adjustments related to certain customer projects had a negative impact on gross margin in 2017.

Gross margin decreased to 39.9% from 41.3% QoQ. Gross margin excluding restructuring charges decreased to 41.0% from 41.5% QoQ. The decrease was due to hardware sales with initially lower margins, related to new strategic contracts taken to strengthen the market position. A lower share of services sales had a positive impact on gross margin QoQ.

Operating income and margin

Operating income increased to SEK 6.9 (1.9) b. YoY and operating margin improved to 16.5% (5.2%). Operating income excluding restructuring charges was SEK 7.3 (3.2) b. and the corresponding operating margin was 17.5% (8.6%). The improvement was mainly driven by higher gross margin and sales. Operating margin was positively impacted by reversal of provisions for impairment losses on trade receivables of SEK 0.3 (-0.6) b. in the quarter.

 

Operating income increased to SEK 6.9 b. from SEK 5.7 b. QoQ and operating margin increased to 16.5% from 15.7%. Operating income excluding restructuring charges increased to SEK 7.3 b. from SEK 5.8 b. and operating margin excluding restructuring charges increased to 17.5% from 16.1%. The improvement was driven by higher sales.

Provisions and adjustments related to certain customer projects as well as write-down of assets had a negative impact on operating income in 2017.

Net impact from amortization and capitalization of development expenses and from recognition and deferral of hardware costs

 

SEK b.

   Q4 2018      Q4 2017      Q3 2018      FY 2018      FY 2017  

Cost of Sales

     -0.1        -0.5        -0.1        -0.7        -1.5  

R&D expenses

     0.1        -0.1        0.0        0.4        0.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total impact

     0.0        -0.6        -0.1        -0.3        -1.5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

FULL-YEAR COMMENTS

Net sales

Sales increased by 5% YoY to SEK 138.6 (132.3) b. Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency increased by 3%. The sales increase was due to sales growth in North America and in Europe and Latin America, driven by telecom operator investments in 5G readiness and LTE networks. The Networks share of IPR licensing revenues was SEK 6.5 (6.8) b.

Gross margin

Gross income increased to SEK 55.2 (43.4) b. and gross margin increased to 39.8% (32.8%). Gross margin increased across all areas, mainly due to improved margins in hardware and a higher share of hardware sales at the expense of services sales. The impact on gross margin of higher recognition than deferral of hardware costs was SEK -0.7 (-1.5) b. In 2017 the gross margin was negatively impacted by provisions and customer project adjustments.

 

 

 

   
7    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Segment results | Networks


Operating income and margin

Operating income increased to SEK 19.4 (10.5) b. due to lower restructuring charges as well as higher sales and gross margin. The increase was partly offset by increased operating expenses. Operating expenses increased mainly due to higher investments in R&D to strengthened technology leadership. Net impact from amortization and capitalization of development expenses and from recognition and deferral of hardware costs was SEK -0.3 (-1.5) b. Restructuring charges were SEK -1.8 (-4.8) b. Operating margin increased to 14.0% (7.9%).

Strategy execution

As presented at the 2018 Capital Markets Day, the target for Networks is to generate an operating margin between 15%-17% (excluding restructuring charges) by 2020.

Four important ongoing strategic activities are to:

 

    invest in R&D to safeguard a leading portfolio and cost leadership

 

    fully transition the radio unit deliveries to Ericsson Radio System (ERS) for increased competitiveness

 

    continue to make savings in service delivery

 

    selectively gain market share based on technology and cost competitiveness.

The ERS, which was introduced to the market in 2015, has proven to be competitive as well as creating a strong market position. The ERS is now fully transitioned and it accounted for 93% of total radio unit deliveries in the fourth quarter and 87% for full-year 2018.

By year-end 2018 Ericsson had announced 10 commercial 5G deals and had 42 ongoing 5G trials. The market share of Ericsson RAN equipment has increased to 29.4% for the first nine months of 2018 compared with 28.2% for the same period in 2017, according to Dell’Oro’s report from November 2018.

 

 

 

   
8    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Segment results | Networks


Digital Services

 

SEK b.

   Q4
2018
    Q4
2017
    YoY
change
    Q3
2018
    QoQ
change
    Full-year
2018
    Full-year
2017
    Full-year
change
 

Net sales

     13.0       11.8       10     9.0       45     38.1       38.8       -2

Of which products

     7.5       6.5       16     4.6       63     20.5       21.0       -3

Of which IPR licensing revenues

     0.4       0.4       2     0.4       1     1.4       1.5       -4

Of which services

     5.5       5.4       3     4.4       26     17.6       17.7       -1

Sales growth adjusted for comparable units and currency

     —         —         5     —         45     —         —         -4

Gross income

     -1.2       1.1       —         3.2       -139     8.3       4.7       77

Gross margin

     -9.5     9.4     —         35.7     —         21.8     12.1     —    

Operating income (loss)

     -7.1       -12.3       —         -1.8       —         -13.9       -27.3       —    

Operating margin

     -54.5     -103.8     —         -19.9     —         -36.4     -70.4     —    

Restructuring charges

     -3.5       -0.7       —         -0.4       —         -5.4       -2.5       —    

Gross income excl. restructuring charges

     2.1       1.7       23     3.3       -36     12.3       6.0       106

Gross margin excl. restructuring charges

     16.4     14.6     —         36.9     —         32.4     15.4     —    

Operating income (loss) excl. restructuring charges

     -3.5       -11.6       —         -1.4       148     -8.5       -24.8       —    

Operating margin excl. restructuring charges

     -27.2     -98.0     —         -15.9     —         -22.3     -63.9     —    

 

FOURTH QUARTER COMMENTS

Net sales

Sales increased by 10% YoY driven by strong sales of 5G-ready Cloud Core and OSS solutions in North East Asia and North America. Sales in the new product portfolio increased by 31% partly offset by continued decline in sales of the legacy product portfolio. The interest in Ericsson’s 5G-ready and cloud-native products remains strong with several signed contracts in the quarter. Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency increased by 5% YoY.

Sales increased by 45% QoQ, driven by seasonality and strong sales in Cloud Core and OSS in North East Asia and North America.

Gross margin

Provisions of SEK -6.1 b. were made in the quarter to reshape the Business Support Systems (BSS) strategy in Digital Services. The impact on cost of sales was SEK -5.9 b., of which SEK -3.1 b. were restructuring charges, and the impact on R&D expenses was SEK -0.2 b. (write-down of capitalized development expenses).

Gross margin decreased to -9.5% (9.4%) YoY, impacted by the above provisions.

Cost reductions and efficiency improvements had a significant impact on gross margin YoY. Gross margin excluding restructuring charges and other costs related to revised BSS strategy was 37.5%.

Gross margin declined to -9.5% from 35.7% QoQ, due to costs related to revised BSS strategy.

 

Operating income (loss)

Operating income was SEK -7.1 (-12.3) b. and was impacted by costs related to revised BSS strategy. Operating income excluding restructuring charges and other costs related to revised BSS strategy was SEK -0.6 b. Cost reductions in both cost of sales and in operating expenses had a significant positive impact on operating income YoY. R&D expenses, excluding restructuring charges and excluding the net impact from amortized and capitalized development expenses, decreased by SEK 0.8 b. YoY. Total operating expenses excluding restructuring charges as a percentage of sales decreased by more than 10 percentage points compared with Q4 2017.

Operating income in Q4 2017 was negatively impacted by significant write-down of assets as well as provisions and customer project adjustments.

Operating income decreased to SEK -7.1 b. from SEK -1.8 b. QoQ, due to the BSS provisions of SEK -6.1 b. in the quarter. Operating income, excluding other costs related to revised BSS strategy and excluding total restructuring charges, improved to SEK -0.6 b. from SEK -1.4 b. QoQ, driven by increased sales, partly offset by seasonally higher operating expenses.

Net impact from amortization and capitalization of development expenses

 

SEK b.

   Q4 2018      Q4 2017      Q3 2018      FY 2018      FY 2017  

Cost of Sales

     0.0        -0.3        0.0        0.0        -1.1  

R&D expenses

     .-0.6        -0.4        -0.4        -1.8        -0.2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total impact

     -0.6        -0.7        -0.4        -1.8        -1.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
 

 

 

   
9    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Segment results | Digital Services


FULL-YEAR COMMENTS

Net sales

Sales decreased by -2% YoY. Sales in BSS declined by -11% while sales in OSS and Cloud Core grew YoY, driven by demand for the 5G-ready portfolio. Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency decreased by -4% YoY.

Gross margin

Gross margin increased YoY as a result of continuous work on service delivery efficiency. Gross margin was negatively impacted by costs related to revised BSS strategy, while cost reductions had a significant positive impact.

Gross margin was negatively impacted by significant write-down of assets as well as provisions and customer project adjustments in 2017.

Operating income (loss)

Operating income improved to SEK -13.9 (-27.3) b. Full-year operating income was SEK-5.5 b., excluding restructuring charges of SEK-5.4 b. and excluding SEK-3.0 b. for other costs related to revised BSS strategy. This is a significant improvement compared with 2017, with profit improvements across all key portfolio areas. Most of the losses in 2018 are in BSS, and additional strategic actions to materially reduce the losses already in 2019 were announced in January 2019.

Write-down of assets as well as provisions and customer project adjustments had a significant negative impact on income in 2017. Cost reductions had a significant impact on gross margin and operating expenses compared with 2017.

Strategy execution

Top priority for Digital Services is to turn the segment into a profitable business, targeting low single-digit positive operating margin by 2020 (excluding restructuring charges). In 2018, the losses in the segment were significantly reduced, mainly through increased efficiency and reduced costs.

While new ways of working are improving R&D efficiency, investments in the portfolio of 5G-ready and cloud-native products will continue in order to defend the current market position and prepare Digital Services for future profitable growth. Hence the continued turnaround is performed in four strategic dimensions: customers, portfolio, commercial and operational. Key actions are to:

 

    Grow sales in line with the market development supported by a virtualized and 5G-ready portfolio, focusing on the installed base and large customers that are early 5G adopters.

 

    Maintain a disciplined management of a focused portfolio that is optimized for business impact, with focused investments in cloud-native and automation technology.

 

    Keep a strong commercial governance and discipline to maximize software value and avoid high-risk projects, such as large transformation deals.

 

    Continue to improve operational efficiency across R&D, SG&A and service delivery.

A key activity for the turnaround of Digital Services business is to complete, renegotiate or exit 45 identified critical and non-strategic customer contracts. A total of 23 contracts had been addressed at year-end and the plan is to complete an additional 25% of the 45 contracts in 2019. To reduce commercial risk and margin dilution, expert-team reviews of the performance of existing projects and reviews of scope and terms & conditions of new customer contracts, have been established.

The sales shift towards the new portfolio continues. Rolling 12 months sales of the new portfolio increased by 4%.

In January 2019, additional strategic measures for the BSS business were announced. The planned measures aim to materially contribute to reduce losses in BSS and Digital Services already in 2019, and de-risk the plan for Digital Services to reach the 2020 financial target.

 

 

   
10    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Segment results | Digital Services


Managed Services

 

     Q4     Q4     YoY     Q3     QoQ     Full-
year
    Full-
year
    Full-
year
 

SEK b.

   2018     2017     change     2018     change     2018     2017     change  

Net sales

     6.9       6.9       0     6.5       6     25.8       26.5       -3

Sales growth adjusted for comparable units and currency

     —         —         -5     —         7     —         —         -5

Gross income (loss)

     0.8       -0.7       —         0.8       -3     2.9       -1.6       —    

Gross margin

     11.4     -10.0     —         12.5     —         11.2     -5.9     —    

Operating income (loss)

     0.3       -1.3       —         0.4       -30     1.1       -4.1       —    

Operating margin

     4.1     -18.5     —         6.3     —         4.2     -15.4     —    

Restructuring charges

     -0.1       -0.4       —         0.0       —         -0.3       -0.7       —    

Gross income (loss) excl. restructuring charges

     0.9       -0.4       —         0.8       2     3.1       -1.0       —    

Gross margin excl. restructuring charges

     12.4     -5.3     —         12.9     —         12.2     -3.6     —    

Operating income (loss) excl. restructuring charges

     0.4       -0.9       —         0.4       -20     1.4       -3.4       —    

Operating margin excl. restructuring charges

     5.2     -13.0     —         6.8     —         5.3     -12.9     —    

 

FOURTH QUARTER COMMENTS

Net sales

Sales were flat YoY. Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency decreased by -5% YoY as a result of customer contract exits.

Sales increased by 6% QoQ. The increase was driven by growth across all service areas.

Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency increased by 7% QoQ.

Gross margin

Gross margin increased to 11.4% (-10.0%) YoY. Gross margin excluding restructuring charges increased to 12.4% (-5.3%) mainly as a results of customer contract reviews and efficiency measures.

Write-down of assets as well as provisions and customer project adjustments had a significant negative impact on gross margin in 2017.

Gross margin decreased to 11.4% from 12.5% QoQ. Gross margin excluding restructuring charges decreased to 12.4% from 12.9% QoQ.

Operating income and margin

Operating income increased to SEK 0.3 (-1.3) b. YoY. Operating income excluding restructuring charges improved to SEK 0.4 (-0.9) b. due to higher gross margin.

Sequentially, operating margin excluding restructuring charges decreased to 5.2% from 6.8%. The decrease was driven by seasonally higher operating expenses.

FULL-YEAR COMMENTS

Net sales

Sales decreased by -3% YoY. Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency decreased by -5% YoY, as a result of contract exits, partly offset by sales growth in Managed Services IT.

Gross margin

Gross margin increased YoY to 11.2% (-5.9%). Gross margin excluding restructuring charges increased to 12.2% (-3.6%) mainly as a result of customer contract reviews and efficiency measures.

Write-down of assets as well as provisions and customer project adjustments had a significant negative impact on gross margin in 2017.

Operating income

Operating income increased to SEK 1.1 (-4.1) b. YoY. Operating income excluding restructuring charges improved to SEK 1.4 (-3.4) b. due to higher gross margin.

Restructuring charges amounted to SEK -0.3 (-0.7) b.

Strategy execution

Managed Services has introduced AI solutions which are patented and trialed in several customer engagements. The initial AI solutions already allow Ericsson to address network complexity and move network operations from being reactive to incidents, to becoming proactive – automatically identifying, proposing actions or even fixing the faults before they degrade network service quality. Further investments will be made in automation, analytics and AI-driven offerings to support 5G, IoT and cloud.

As presented at the 2018 Capital Markets Day, the ambition for Managed Services is to improve operating margin to 5%-8% (excluding restructuring charges) in 2020. In order to focus the business and improve profitability, 42 managed services contracts have been identified for exit, renegotiation or transformation. At year-end 2018, all 42 contracts had been addressed, resulting in an annualized profit improvement of approximately SEK 0.9 b. Net sales reduction from contract exits is expected to be SEK 4b. at the end of 2019, compared to the 2016 base line.

 

 

 

   
11    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Segment results | Managed Services


Emerging Business and Other (includes Emerging Business, iconectiv, Red Bee Media and Media Solutions)

 

     Q4     Q4     YoY     Q3     QoQ     Full year     Full year     Full year  

SEK b.

   2018     2017     change     2018     change     2018     2017     change  

Net sales

     2.3       2.1       9     2.4       -6     8.4       7.9       7

Sales growth adjusted for comparable units and currency

     —         —         1     —         -6     —         —         3

Gross income

     0.2       0.2       -13     0.8       -73     1.8       1.4       34

Gross margin

     9.3     11.7     —         32.3     —         21.9     17.5     —    

Operating income (loss)

     -1.9       -7.7       —         -1.0       83     -5.4       -13.8       —    

Operating margin

     -83.3     -368.0     —         -42.9     —         -64.5     -175.7     —    

Restructuring charges

     -0.4       -0.1       —         0.0       —         -0.6       -0.5       22

Gross income excl. restructuring charges

     0.4       0.3       32     0.8       -50     2.1       1.6       36

Gross margin excl. restructuring charges

     17.1     14.1     —         32.3     —         25.4     19.9     —    

Operating income (loss) excl. restructuring charges

     -1.5       -7.6       —         -1.0       52     -4.8       -13.3       —    

Operating margin excl. restructuring charges

     -67.1     -363.1     —         -41.5     —         -57.4     -169.6     —    

 

FOURTH QUARTER COMMENTS Net sales

Sales increased by 9% YoY. Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency increased by 1% YoY. Sales excluding the media businesses increased by 60%, driven by iconectiv. Sales in the media businesses (Media Solutions and Red Bee Media) declined to SEK 1.3 (1.4) b.

Sales decreased by -6% QoQ. Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency also decreased by -6% QoQ mainly due to reduced sales in the media businesses. The decrease was partly offset by growth in Emerging Business.

Gross margin

Gross margin decreased to 9.3% (11.7%) YoY. Gross margin excluding restructuring charges increased to 17.1% (14.1%). Write-down of assets had a significant negative impact on gross margin in Q4 2017.

Gross margin decreased to 9.3% from 32.3% QoQ, mainly as a consequence of reduced margins in the media businesses partly due to a one-time project cost of SEK -0.1 b. In addition, gross margin was negatively impacted by increased customization costs related to strategic contracts in Emerging Business.

Operating income (loss)

Operating income improved to SEK -1.9 (-7.7) b. YoY. Operating income excluding restructuring charges improved to SEK -1.5 (-7.6) b.

Q4 2018 (Q4 2017) financials, SEK b. excluding restructuring

 

    Media
Solutions
    Red Bee
Media
    Emerging
Business,
iconectiv and
common costs
    Segment
Total
 

Net Sales

    0.7 (0.8     0.6 (0.7     1.0 (0.6     2.3 (2.1

Op. Income

    -0.5 (-6.0     -0.1 (-0.8     -0.9 (-0.8     -1.5 (-7.6

Media Solutions = MediaKind including transaction-related costs etc Write-down of assets had a significant negative impact on operating income in Q4 2017.

 

Media Solutions operating income was impacted by one-time project costs of SEK -0.1 b. and SEK -0.1 b. in costs related to the planned divestment of MediaKind.

While the iconectiv business continued to deliver solid profitable results, operating income in Emerging Business declined YoY negatively impacted by increased investments as well as costs of SEK -0.4 b. of which SEK -0.1 b. in restructuring charges for resetting the Edge Gravity business. The resetting allows for a leaner set-up of content delivery and for accelerated efforts in Edge Compute.

Sequentially, operating income declined to SEK -1.9 b. from SEK -1.0 b. Operating income excluding restructuring charges declined to SEK -1.5 b. from SEK -1.0 b. impacted by lower gross margin and by costs for resetting the Edge Gravity business.

Net impact from amortization and capitalization of development expenses

 

SEK b.

   Q4 2018      Q4 2017      Q3 2018      FY 2018      FY 2017  

Cost of Sales

     -0.1        0.0        -0.1        -0.2        0.0  

R&D expenses

     -0.1        -0.1        0.0        -0.2        -0.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total impact

     -0.1        -0.1        -0.1        -0.4        -0.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

FULL-YEAR COMMENTS Net sales

Sales increased by 7% YoY. Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency increased by 3% YoY, driven by growth in the iconectiv business through a multi-year number portability contract in the United States. Sales in Emerging Business grew by more than 25% YoY. Media Solutions sales declined by -14% due to lower sales in the legacy portfolio. Red Bee Media sales declined by -4% YoY due to renegotiations and changes in scope of contracts.

Gross margin

Gross margin increased. Write-down of assets had a significant negative impact on gross margin in 2017.

 

 

 

   
12    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Segment results | Emerging Business and Other


Operating income (loss)

 

Full-year financials for 2018 (2017) , SEK b. excluding restructuring

 

                 Emerging Business,        
     Media           iconectiv and        
     Solutions     Red Bee Media     common costs     Segment Total  

Net Sales

     2.7  (3.2)      2.3  (2.4)      3.4  (2.3)      8.4  (7.9) 

Op. Income

     -1.7  (-8.9)      -0.3  (-1.8)      -2.8  (-2.7)      -4.8  (-13.3) 

Cost reductions had a positive impact on Media Solutions operating income, partly offset by reduced sales and costs of SEK -0.3 b. related to the planned transaction with One Equity Partners. Write-down of assets had a significant negative impact on Media Solutions income in 2017.

Operational efficiencies and cost reductions had a positive impact on Red Bee Media income, while reduced sales impacted negatively. Write-down of assets had a significant negative impact on Red Bee Media income in 2017.

Losses increased due to costs of SEK -0.4 b., of which SEK -0.1 b. in restructuring charges, for resetting the Edge Gravity business and increased investments in new areas such as IoT and Emodo. The growth in iconectiv business had a positive impact on operating income.

Strategy execution

The target for Emerging Business and Other in 2020 is to reach a break-even operating income (excluding restructuring charges) with a net sales ambition of SEK 5-7 b., given the current portfolio and strategy for the areas.

Selective investments will continue in Emerging Business in order to build a position and grow sales in new areas. Parts of the portfolio are still in an early phase, with focus on generating sales and scale the business. Emerging business sales grew by more than 25% in 2018, but do not yet cover required investments, resulting in a negative bottom line.

For Red Bee Media, the target remains to achieve a sustainable profitable business by continuing to develop and manage the business as an independent and focused media services entity within Ericsson.

The planned divestment of MediaKind is ongoing. The demand for MediaKind’s portfolio continues to be stable across the global customer base. Actions taken during 2018 are expected to result in improved sales and cost structures during second half 2019.

 

 

   
13    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Segment results | Emerging Business and Other


Cash flow

 

     Q4      Q4      Q3      Full-year      Full-year  

SEK b.

   2018      2017      2018      2018      2017  

Net income reconciled to cash

     -0.1        -4.0        2.9        1.6        -13.1  

Changes in operating net assets

     4.4        15.2        -0.9        7.8        22.7  

Cash flow from operating activities

     4.3        11.2        2.0        9.3        9.6  

Cash flow from investing activities

     -2.2        -3.8        -1.7        -4.1        -16.1  

Cash flow from financing activities

     -0.6        2.1        0.3        -4.1        5.5  

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     0.8        0.2        -1.6        1.4        -0.1  

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     2.3        9.7        -1.0        2.5        -1.1  

Free cash flow excluding M&A

     3.0        10.2        0.7        4.3        4.8  

Free cash flow

     3.0        10.1        0.3        3.0        5.1  

 

FOURTH QUARTER COMMENTS

Operating activities

Net income reconciled to cash was SEK -0.1 (-4.0) b. Large provisions in Q4 impacted net income negatively. Cash flow from operating activities was SEK 4.3 (11.2) b. due to changes in operating net assets, including the increased provisions. Trade receivables increased on the back of the increased business activity in the quarter. Sale of trade receivables continued to trend downwards and decreased YoY. Quarterly cash flows may vary as the business develops. Cash outlays related to provisions were SEK -1.4 (-2.2) b., of which cash outlays related to restructuring charges were SEK -0.7 (-1.2) b. in the quarter.

Investing activities

Cash flow from investing activities was SEK -2.2 (-3.8) b. Investments in M&A were SEK 0.0 (-0.1) b. Cash flow from investments in property, plant and equipment was SEK -1.1 (-1.1) b. and from capitalized development expenses SEK -0.2 (-0.1) b.

Financing activities

Cash flow from financing activities was SEK -0.6 (2.1) b. due to a reduction in borrowings.

Free cash flow

Free cash flow was SEK 3.0 (10.1) b. generated by positive cash flow from operating activities and limited investing activities. The decrease in free cash flow YoY was due to higher business activity than last year with decreased cash flow from operating activities. In 2017, new credits were raised generating significant cash flow from financing activities.

Free cash flow excluding M&A was SEK 3.0 (10.2) b.    

 

 

FULL-YEAR COMMENTS

Operating activities

Cash flow from operating activities reached SEK 9.3 (9.6) b. Working capital efficiency has improved as a result of a strong focus on cash flow. The business growth in 2018 and high delivery and invoicing volumes towards the end of the year led to some build-up of trade receivables, to be collected in the coming periods. Inventory and trade payables also increased to meet customer demand in a growing market. The combined working capital KPI improved to 89 (102) days. The ambition is to maintain working capital efficiency and thereby effectively convert income to cash. Cash outlays related to provisions were SEK -6.9 (-8.2) b., of which cash outlays related to restructuring charges were SEK -4.1 (-5.3) b.

 

Working capital KPIs, number of days

   Jan-Dec
2018
     Jan-Dec
2017
 

+Sales outstanding (target: <90)

     91        96  

+Inventory (target: <65)

     70        66  

-Payable (target: >60)

     72        60  

Combined working capital

     89        102  

Investing activities

Cash flow from investing activities was SEK -4.1 (-16.1) b., impacted by investments and sale of property, plant and equipment with a net effect of SEK -3.6 (-2.9) b. and investments in M&A of SEK -1.3 (0.3) b. In addition, product development decreased by SEK -0.9 (-1.4) b. due to reduced capitalization of product platform development following technology shifts.

Financing activities

Cash flow from financing activities was SEK -4.1 (5.5) b. Dividends of SEK 3.4 (3.4) b. were paid out.

Free cash flow

The focus on free cash flow and release of working capital, in combination with limited investing activities, resulted in free cash flow of SEK 3.0 (5.1) b. and in free cash flow excluding M&A of SEK 4.3 (4.8) b.

 

 

 

   
14    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Cash flow


Financial position

 

     Dec 31     Dec 31     Sep 30  

SEK b.

   2018     2017     2018  

+ Cash and cash equivalents

     38.4       35.9       36.1  

+ Interest-bearing securities, current

     6.6       6.7       6.6  

+ Interest-bearing securities, non-current

     24.0       25.1       23.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross cash

     69.0       67.7       65.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

– Borrowings, current

     2.3       2.5       2.5  

– Borrowings, non-current

     30.9       30.5       31.2  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash

     35.9       34.7       32.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity

     87.8       97.6       96.0  

Total assets

     268.8       259.9       264.8  

Capital turnover (times)

     1.4       1.2       1.3  

Return on capital employed (%)

     0.6     -20.6     2.6

Equity ratio (%)

     32.7     37.5     36.2

Return on equity (%)

     -7.1     -28.1     0.0

 

FOURTH QUARTER COMMENTS

Gross cash increased by SEK 3.3 b. and net cash increased by SEK 3.9 b. in the quarter, as a result of the positive free cash flow. Gross cash was SEK 69.0 b. and net cash was SEK 35.9 b.

Liability for post-employments benefits increased in the quarter, to SEK 28.7 b. from SEK 25.5 b., due to lower interest rates in Sweden.

FULL-YEAR COMMENTS

Gross cash increased to SEK 69.0 (67.7) b. and net cash increased to SEK 35.9 (34.7) b.

Liability for post-employments benefits increased by SEK 3.7 b. mainly due to decreased discount rates and normal service costs. The Swedish defined benefit obligation (DBO) has been calculated using a discount rate based on the yields of Swedish government bonds. If the discount rate had been based on Swedish covered mortgage bonds, the liability for post-employment benefits would have been approximately SEK 9.5 b. lower as of Dec 31, 2018.

The average maturity of long-term borrowings as of Dec 31, 2018, was 3.4 years, a decrease from 4.4 years 12 months earlier.

 

LOGO

Ericsson has an unutilized Revolving Credit Facility of USD 2.0 b. The facility will expire in 2022.

In 2018, Ericsson signed a credit facility agreement of EUR 250 million with the European Investment Bank (EIB). The credit facility is undrawn and will mature five years after disbursement.

Moody’s changed their outlook on Ericsson’s long-term rating from negative to stable. The rating of Ba2 was unchanged.

The capital efficiency improved during the year and the capital turnover reached 1.4 (1.2) times.

 

 

 

   
15    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Financial position


Parent Company

Income after financial items was SEK 5.8 (-2.0) b. Impairment of investments in subsidiaries has decreased to SEK 1.2 (9.0) b, which was the main contributor to the increase in Income after financial items.

At the end of the year, gross cash (cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and interest-bearing securities non-current) amounted to SEK 58.1 (50.3) b.

The Parent Company has during the quarter recognized dividends from subsidiaries of SEK 3.2 (5.2) b.

 

There has been a decrease of intercompany lending of SEK 10.4 b. and intercompany borrowing of SEK 1.9 b. during the fourth quarter.

In accordance with the conditions of the long-term variable compensation program (LTV) for Ericsson employees, 3,346,918 shares from treasury stock were sold or distributed to employees during the fourth quarter. The holding of treasury stock on December 31, 2018, was 37,057,039 Class B shares.

 

 

 

   
16    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Parent Company


Dividend, AGM and Annual Report

 

Dividend proposal

The Board of Directors will propose to the Annual General Meeting to resolve on a dividend of SEK 1.00 (1.00) per share, representing some SEK 3.3 (3.3) b., and March 29, 2019, as the record date for payment of dividend. The dividend reflects this year’s earnings and balance sheet structure, as well as coming years’ business plans and expected economic development.

Ericsson Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of shareholders will be held on March 27, 2019, 15.00 (CET) at Kistamässan, Kista/Stockholm, Sweden.

Annual Report

The annual report will be made available on the Ericsson website www.ericsson.com and at the Ericsson headquarters, Torshamnsgatan 21, Kista, Stockholm, Sweden, in the last week of February.

 

 

 

   
17    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Dividend, AGM and Annual Report


Other information

 

Ericsson Capital Markets Day 2018

On November 8, 2018, Ericsson held its Capital Markets Day giving an overview of its turnaround, strategy and plans for future growth as well as details about its business segments and the market trends. Further, the presentations included updated net sales ambitions for 2020 and financial targets for 2020 and 2022.

SEC and DOJ inquiries

As previously disclosed, Ericsson has been voluntarily cooperating since 2013 with an investigation by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and, since 2015, with an investigation by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) into Ericsson’s compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The discussions with these authorities continue. While the length of these discussions cannot be determined, the company’s previous assessment, that the resolution of these matters will likely result in monetary and other measures, the magnitude of which at this time cannot be reliably estimated but may be material, remains. Ericsson continues its efforts to improve on its compliance program.

POST-CLOSING EVENTS

Provisions in fourth quarter related to reshaping BSS business

On January 10, 2019, Ericsson announced that the focus on simplifying and stabilizing the business has resulted in stronger gross margins and a stabilizing topline. While there has been solid progress in most portfolio areas, the Business Support Systems area in segment Digital Services is not showing satisfactory progress, jeopardizing the segment Digital Services overall profitability target for 2020.

The company’s past strategy has not been successful. It included pursuing large transformation projects based on pre-integrated solutions and development of a next-generation BSS platform. Consequently, at the Capital Markets Day on Nov. 8, 2018, Ericsson presented a revised BSS strategy, with increased investments in the established platform and a refocus of the next-generation BSS platform to fulfilling existing customer commitments only.

The company has now decided to pursue additional measures to speed up the restructuring of the BSS business. Provisions for the cost of executing on these measures, together with necessary contract loss provisions, negatively impacted operating income by SEK 6.1 b. in Q4, 2018, mainly impacting gross margin. SEK 3.1 b. of this amount is treated as restructuring charges. Further restructuring charges, estimated to be SEK 1.5 b, are anticipated for 2019. The vast majority of the provision amount will impact cash flow, starting in 2019 and continuing over several years.

Ericsson announced changes to Executive Team

On January 16, 2019, Ericsson announced that Helena Norrman, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer and Head of Marketing and Corporate Relations, has decided to leave Ericsson to pursue opportunities outside the company. Helena Norrman has been with the company since 1998 and has served on Ericsson’s Executive Team since 2010. Helena will leave her position effective no later than June 30, 2019.

 

 

 

   
18    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Other information


Risk factors

 

Ericsson’s operational and financial risk factors and uncertainties are described in our Annual Report 2017. Risk factors and uncertainties in focus short term for the Parent Company and the Ericsson Group include, but are not limited to:

 

    Potential negative effects on operators’ willingness to invest in network development due to uncertainty in the financial markets and a weak economic business environment, or reduced consumer telecom spending, or increased pressure on Ericsson to provide financing, or delayed auctions of spectrum

 

    Intense competition from existing competitors as well as new entrants, including IT companies entering the telecommunications market, which could have a material adverse effect on the results

 

    Uncertainty regarding the financial stability of suppliers, for example due to lack of financing

 

    Effects on gross margins and/or working capital of the business mix in the Networks segment between capacity sales and new coverage build-outs

 

    Effects on gross margins of the business mix including new network build-outs and new managed services or digital transformation deals with initial transition costs

 

    Effects of the ongoing industry consolidation among our customers as well as between our largest competitors, e.g. with postponed investments and intensified price competition as a consequence

 

    New and ongoing partnerships which may not be successful and expose us to future costs

 

    Changes in foreign exchange rates, in particular USD

 

    Political unrest and uncertainty and geopolitical uncertainty in certain markets, including escalating trade disputes and sanctions and uncertainties relating to Brexit, with potential effects such as increased supply costs, limitations to the free movement of goods and services, professional staff and cross-border data

 

    Effects on production and sales from restrictions with respect to timely and adequate supply of materials, components and production capacity and other vital services on competitive terms

 

    No guarantees that strategy execution, specific restructuring or cost-savings initiatives, profitability restoring efforts and/or organizational changes will be sufficient, successful or executed in time to deliver any improvements in earnings

 

    Cybersecurity incidents, which may have a material negative impact

 

    Rapidly changing technologies and the ways these are brought to the market, which could be disruptive to the business

 

    Ericsson is subject to risks associated with the development and implementation of new solutions or technologies under existing customer contracts. The Company may not be successful or incur delays in developing or implementing such solutions or technologies, which could result in damage claims and loss of customers which may have an adverse impact on liquidity and results of operations.

Ericsson monitors the compliance with all relevant trade regulations and trade embargoes applicable to dealings with customers operating in countries where there are trade restrictions or trade restrictions are discussed.

Ericsson strives to operate globally in accordance with Group policies and directives for business ethics and conduct and has a dedicated ethics and compliance program. However, in some of the countries where the Company operates, corruption risks can be high and compliance failure could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and brand.

Ericsson is voluntarily cooperating with investigations by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and the United States Department of Justice regarding its compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The Company continues to cooperate with the SEC and DOJ and is engaged in discussions with them to find a resolution. While the length of these discussions cannot be determined, based on the facts that the Company has shared with the authorities, Ericsson believes that the resolution of these matters will likely result in monetary and other measures, the magnitude of which cannot be estimated currently but may be material. Potential future cash outflows are currently not capable of being reliably estimated. Accordingly, no provisions have been recorded for such potential exposure.

Stockholm, January 25, 2019

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson

Börje Ekholm, President and CEO Org.

no. 556016-0680

Date for next report: April 17, 2019

 

 

 

   
19    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Risk factors


Auditors’ Review Report

 

Introduction

We have reviewed the condensed interim financial information (interim report) of Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ.) as of December 31, 2018, and the twelve months period then ended. The board of directors and the CEO are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the interim financial report in accordance with IAS 34 and the Swedish Annual Accounts Act. Our responsibility is to express a conclusion on this interim report based on our review.

Scope of review

We conducted our review in accordance with the International Standard on Review Engagements ISRE 2410, Review of Interim Report Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity.

A review consists of making inquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing, ISA, and other generally accepted auditing standards in Sweden. The procedures performed in a review do not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the interim report is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with IAS 34 and the Swedish Annual Accounts Act, regarding the Group, and with the Swedish Annual Accounts Act, regarding the Parent Company.

Stockholm, January 25, 2019

PricewaterhouseCoopers AB

Bo Hjalmarsson

Authorized Public Accountant

Auditor in Charge

Johan Engstam

Authorized Public Accountant

 

 

 

   
20    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Auditors’ Review Report


Editor’s note

Press briefing and live webcast

Ericsson invites media, investors and analysts to conference calls on January 25, 2019; one starting at 09.00 (CET) and the other at 14.00 (CET).

Live audio webcasts of the conference calls as well as supporting slides will be available at:

www.ericsson.com/investors and

www.ericsson.com/press

Replay of the conference calls will be available approximately one hour after each call has ended and will remain available for seven days.

For further information, please contact:

Carl Mellander Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Phone: +46 10 713 89 70

E-mail: investor.relations@ericsson.com or

media.relations@ericsson.com

Helena Norrman, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing and

Communications Officer

Phone: +46 10 719 34 72

E-mail: investor.relations@ericsson.com or

media.relations@ericsson.com

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson

Org. number: 556016-0680

Torshamnsgatan 21

SE-164 83 Stockholm

Phone: +46 10 719 00 00

www.ericsson.com

 

Investors

Peter Nyquist, Vice President,

Head of Investor Relations

Phone: +46 10 714 64 99, +46 70 575 29 06

E-mail: peter.nyquist@ericsson.com

Stefan Jelvin, Director,

Investor Relations

Phone: +46 10 714 20 39, +46 70 986 02 27

E-mail: stefan.jelvin@ericsson.com

Åsa Konnbjer, Director,

Investor Relations

Phone: +46 10 713 39 28, +46 73 082 59 28

E-mail: asa.konnbjer@ericsson.com

Rikard Tunedal, Director,

Investor Relations

Phone: +46 10 714 54 00, +46 761 005 400

E-mail: rikard.tunedal@ericsson.com

Media

Ola Rembe, Vice President,

Head of External Communications

Phone: +46 10 719 97 27, +46 73 024 48 73

E-mail: media.relations@ericsson.com

Corporate Communications

Phone: +46 10 719 69 92

E-mail: media.relations@ericsson.com

 

 

 

   
21    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Editor’s note


Forward-looking statements

This report includes forward-looking statements, including statements reflecting management’s current views relating to the growth of the market, future market conditions, future events, financial condition, and expected operational and financial performance, including, in particular the following:

 

    Our goals, strategies, planning assumptions and operational or financial performance expectations

 

    Industry trends, future characteristics and development of the markets in which we operate

 

    Our future liquidity, capital resources, capital expenditures, cost savings and profitability

 

    The expected demand for our existing and new products and services as well as plans to launch new products and services including research and development expenditures

 

    The ability to deliver on future plans and to realize potential for future growth

 

    The expected operational or financial performance of strategic cooperation activities and joint ventures

 

    The time until acquired entities and businesses will be integrated and accretive to income

 

    Technology and industry trends including the regulatory and standardization environment in which we operate, competition and our customer structure.

The words “believe,” “expect,” “foresee,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “intend,” “likely,” “projects,” “may,” “could,” “plan,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “predict,” “aim,” “ambition,” “seek,” “potential,” “target,” “might,” “continue,” or, in each case, their negative or variations, and similar words or expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. Any statement that refers to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements.

We caution investors that these statements are subject to risks and uncertainties many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond our control that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements.

Important factors that could affect whether and to what extent any of our forward-looking statements materialize include, but are not limited to, the factors described in the section “Risk Factors”, and in “Risk Factors” in the Annual Report 2017.

These forward-looking statements also represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date that they were made. We expressly disclaim a duty to provide updates to these forward-looking statements, and the estimates and assumptions associated with them, after the date of this report, to reflect events or changes in circumstances or changes in expectations or the occurrence of anticipated events, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law or stock exchange regulation.

 

 

 

   
22    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Forward-looking statements


Financial statements

and other information

Contents

Financial statements

24   

Consolidated income statement

24   

Statement of comprehensive income (loss)

25   

Consolidated balance sheet

26   

Consolidated statement of cash flows

27   

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

27   

Consolidated income statement – isolated quarters

28   

Consolidated statement of cash flows – isolated quarters

29   

Parent Company income statement

29   

Parent Company statement of comprehensive income (loss)

30   

Parent Company balance sheet

Additional information

31   

Accounting policies

34   

Segment reporting

35   

Net sales by segment by quarter

36   

Sales growth adjusted for comparable units and currency

36   

Gross income (loss) and gross margin by segment by quarter

37   

Operating income (loss) and operating margin by segment by quarter

38   

EBITA and EBITA margin by segment by quarter

39   

Net sales by market area by quarter

40   

Top 5 countries in sales

40   

Net sales by market area by segment

41   

IPR licensing revenues by segment by quarter

41   

Provisions

42   

Information on investments

43   

Other information

43   

Number of employees

Items excluding restructuring charges

44   

Restructuring charges by function

44   

Restructuring charges by segment

45   

Gross income (loss) and gross margin excluding restructuring charges by segment

46   

Operating income (loss) and operating margin excluding restructuring charges by segment

Alternative performance measures

47   

Sales growth adjusted for comparable units and currency

48   

Items excluding restructuring charges

50   

EBITA and EBITA margin

50   

Cash conversion

50   

Gross cash and net cash, end of period

51   

Capital employed

51   

Capital turnover

52   

Return on capital employed

52   

Equity ratio

52   

Return on equity

53   

Earnings (loss) per share (non-IFRS)

53   

Free cash flow and free cash flow excluding M&A

 

 

 

   
23    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018                        Financial statements and other information


Financial statements

Consolidated income statement

 

     Oct-Dec     Jan-Dec  

SEK million

   2018     2017     Change     2018     2017     Change  

Net sales

     63,809       57,881       10     210,838       205,378       3

Cost of sales

     -47,430       -45,365       5     -142,638       -157,451       -9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross income

     16,379       12,516       31     68,200       47,927       42
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross margin (%)

     25.7     21.6       32.3     23.3  

Research and development expenses

     -10,665       -9,938       7     -38,909       -37,887       3

Selling and administrative expenses

     -7,685       -8,245       -7     -27,519       -29,027       -5

Impairment losses on trade receivables 1)

     386       -680       -157     -420       -3,649       -88
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses

     -17,964       -18,863       -5     -66,848       -70,563       -5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other operating income and expenses 1)

     -294       -12,926         -168       -12,131    

Shares in earnings of JV and associated companies

     27       -5         58       24    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     -1,852       -19,278       -90     1,242       -34,743       -104
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financial income

     -294       -124         -316       -372    

Financial expenses

     -421       -394         -2,389       -843    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income after financial items

     -2,567       -19,796       -87     -1,463       -35,958       -96
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Taxes

     -3,930       1,303       -402     -4,813       3,525       -237
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     -6,497       -18,493       -65     -6,276       -32,433       -81
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to:

            

Stockholders of the Parent Company

     -6,553       -18,476         -6,530       -32,576    

Non-controlling interests

     56       -17         254       143    

Other information

            

Average number of shares, basic (million)

     3,296       3,283         3,291       3,277    

Earnings (loss) per share, basic (SEK) 2)

     -1.99       -5.63         -1.98       -9.94    

Earnings (loss) per share, diluted (SEK) 3)

     -1.99       -5.63         -1.98       -9.94    

 

1)

Impairment of trade receivables has been calculated according to IFRS 9 in 2018 and according to IAS 39 in 2017. Previously, these losses have been reported as selling and administrative expenses.

2)

Based on net income (loss) attributable to stockholders of the Parent Company.    

3)

Potential ordinary shares are not considered when their conversion to ordinary shares would increase earnings per share.    

Statement of comprehensive income (loss)

 

     Oct-Dec      Jan-Dec  

SEK million

   2018      2017      2018      2017  

Net income (loss)

     -6,497        -18,493        -6,276        -32,433  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

           

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

           

Remeasurements of defined benefits pension plans incl. asset ceiling

     -2,950        2,616        -2,453        970  

Revaluation of borrowings due to change in credit risk

     433        —          207        —    

Tax on items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

     555        -764        285        -547  

Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss

           

Available-for-sale financial assets

           

Gains/losses arising during the period

     —          -10        —          68  

Reclassification adjustments on gains/losses included in profit or loss

     —          —          —          5  

Revaluation of other investments in shares and participations

           

Fair value remeasurement

     —          102        —          99  

Changes in cumulative translation adjustments

     243        1,145        2,047        -3,378  

Share of other comprehensive income on JV and associated companies

     -1        7        14        —    

Tax on items that may be reclassified to profit or loss

     —          1        —          -16  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

     -1,720        3,097        100        -2,799  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

     -8,217        -15,396        -6,176        -35,232  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to:

           

Stockholders of the Parent Company

     -8,277        -15,418        -6,470        -35,357  

Non-controlling interest

     60        22        294        125  

 

   
24    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018                        Financial statements


Consolidated balance sheet    

 

SEK million

   Dec 31
2018
     Sep 30
2018
     Dec 31
2017
 

ASSETS

        

Non-current assets

        

Intangible assets

        

Capitalized development expenses

     4,237        4,918        4,593  

Goodwill

     30,035        30,514        27,815  

Intellectual property rights, brands and other intangible assets

     3,474        3,493        4,148  

Property, plant and equipment

     12,849        12,810        12,857  

Financial assets

        

Equity in JV and associated companies

     611        625        624  

Other investments in shares and participations

     1,515        1,572        1,279  

Customer finance, non-current

     1,180        780        2,178  

Interest-bearing securities, non-current

     23,982        23,014        25,105  

Other financial assets, non-current

     6,559        6,254        5,897  

Deferred tax assets

     23,152        24,648        21,963  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     107,594        108,628        106,459  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current assets

        

Inventories

     29,255        30,635        25,547  

Contract assets

     13,178        14,794        13,120  

Trade receivables

     51,172        41,456        48,105  

Customer finance, current

     1,704        1,240        1,753  

Other current receivables

     20,844        25,446        22,301  

Interest-bearing securities, current

     6,625        6,591        6,713  

Cash and cash equivalents

     38,389        36,058        35,884  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     161,167        156,220        153,423  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     268,761        264,848        259,882  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

        

Equity

        

Stockholders’ equity

     86,978        95,087        96,935  

Non-controlling interest in equity of subsidiaries

     792        866        636  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     87,770        95,953        97,571  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

        

Post-employment benefits

     28,720        25,475        25,009  

Provisions, non-current

     5,471        3,420        3,596  

Deferred tax liabilities

     670        1,274        901  

Borrowings, non-current

     30,870        31,187        30,500  

Other non-current liabilities

     4,346        4,456        2,776  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     70,077        65,812        62,782  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

        

Provisions, current

     10,537        5,275        6,283  

Borrowings, current

     2,255        2,463        2,545  

Contract liabilities

     29,348        30,108        29,076  

Trade payables

     29,883        28,914        26,320  

Other current liabilities

     38,891        36,323        35,305  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     110,914        103,083        99,529  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity and liabilities

     268,761        264,848        259,882  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Of which interest-bearing liabilities

     33,125        33,650        33,045  

Assets pledged as collateral

     5,681        5,768        5,215  

Contingent liabilities 1)

     1,638        1,490        1,561  

 

1)

Contingent liabilities does not include any amounts related to investigation by the SEC and the DOJ about Ericsson’s compliance with the U.S Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). For information about the investigation by the SEC and the DOJ, please refer to “Other information” on page 18 of this report.    

 

   
25    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018                        Financial statements


Consolidated statement of cash flows    

 

     Oct-Dec      Jan-Dec  

SEK million

   2018      2017      2018      2017  

Operating activities

           

Net income (loss)

     -6,497        -18,493        -6,276        -32,433  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash

           

Taxes

     3,590        -1,803        -1,897        -9,064  

Earnings/dividends in JV and associated companies

     -36        -2        -23        56  

Depreciation, amortization and impairment losses

     2,469        16,118        8,318        27,892  

Other

     376        179        1,432        440  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income reconciled to cash

     -98        -4,001        1,554        -13,109  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Changes in operating net assets

           

Inventories

     1,689        8,356        -4,807        4,719  

Customer finance, current and non-current

     -863        36        1,085        798  

Trade receivables and contract assets

     -7,521        -2,246        -2,047        1,379  

Trade payables

     829        2,565        2,436        1,886  

Provisions and post-employment benefits

     7,330        412        6,696        4,755  

Contract liabilities

     -1,112        2,700        -808        5,024  

Other operating assets and liabilities, net

     4,033        3,337        5,233        4,149  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     4,385        15,160        7,788        22,710  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities

     4,287        11,159        9,342        9,601  

Investing activities

           

Investments in property, plant and equipment

     -1,080        -1,105        -3,975        -3,877  

Sales of property, plant and equipment

     57        898        334        1,016  

Acquisitions/divestments of subsidiaries and other operations, net

     20        -107        -1,285        276  

Product development

     -195        -138        -925        -1,444  

Other investing activities

     -96        -573        -523        -463  

Interest-bearing securities

     -910        -2,772        2,242        -11,578  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flow from investing activities

     -2,204        -3,797        -4,132        -16,070  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flow before financing activities

     2,083        7,362        5,210        -6,469  

Financing activities

           

Dividends paid

     -134        -1        -3,425        -3,424  

Other financing activities

     -429        2,073        -652        8,902  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flow from financing activities

     -563        2,072        -4,077        5,478  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     811        240        1,372        -91  

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     2,331        9,674        2,505        -1,082  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     36,058        26,210        35,884        36,966  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

     38,389        35,884        38,389        35,884  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

   
26    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018                        Financial statements


Consolidated statement of changes in equity

 

     Jan-Dec  

SEK million

   2018      2017  

Opening balance 1)

     97,571        135,257  

Opening balance adjustment due to IFRS 9

     -983        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted opening balance

     96,588        135,257  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

     -6,176        -35,232  

Sale/repurchase of own shares

     107        -5  

Stock issue (net)

     —          15  

Long-term variable compensation plans

     677        885  

Dividends paid

     -3,425        -3,424  

Transactions with non-controlling interests

     -1        75  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance

     87,770        97,571  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1)

The opening balance adjustment for IFRS 15 on initial application date (January 1, 2016) was SEK -4,353 million. Opening balances of 2017 and 2018 have been restated for IFRS 15.

Consolidated income statement - isolated quarters

 

     2018     2017  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Net sales

     63,809       53,810       49,808       43,411       57,881       49,413       50,281       47,803  

Cost of sales

     -47,430       -34,180       -32,475       -28,553       -45,365       -36,132       -35,652       -40,302  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross income

     16,379       19,630       17,333       14,858       12,516       13,281       14,629       7,501  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross margin (%)

     25.7     36.5     34.8     34.2     21.6     26.9     29.1     15.7

Research and development expenses

     -10,665       -9,388       -9,783       -9,073       -9,938       -10,519       -8,364       -9,066  

Selling and administrative expenses

     -7,685       -6,625       -7,053       -6,156       -8,245       -5,741       -6,818       -8,223  

Impairment losses on trade receivables 1)

     386       -409       -369       -28       -680       -1,094       -235       -1,640  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses

     -17,964       -16,422       -17,205       -15,257       -18,863       -17,354       -15,417       -18,929  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other operating income and expenses

     -294       31       11       84       -12,926 2)        415       239       141  

Shares in earnings of JV and associated companies

     27       2       26       3       -5       6       12       11  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     -1,852       3,241       165       -312       -19,278       -3,652       -537       -11,276  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financial income

     -294       -225       275       -72       -124       -139       -27       -82  

Financial expenses

     -421       -414       -1,085       -469       -394       -182       83       -350  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income after financial items

     -2,567       2,602       -645       -853       -19,796       -3,973       -481       -11,708  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Taxes

     -3,930       146       -1,157       128       1,303       516       24       1,682  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     -6,497       2,748       -1,802       -725       -18,493       -3,457       -457       -10,026  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to:

                

Stockholders of the Parent Company

     -6,553       2,745       -1,885       -837       -18,476       -3,561       -471       -10,068  

Non-controlling interests

     56       3       83       112       -17       104       14       42  

Other information

                

Average number of shares, basic (million)

     3,296       3,293       3,290       3,286       3,283       3,279       3,275       3,272  

Earnings (loss) per share, basic (SEK) 3)

     -1.99       0.84       -0.58       -0.25       -5.63       -1.09       -0.14       -3.08  

Earnings (loss) per share, diluted (SEK) 4)

     -1.99       0.83       -0.58       -0.25       -5.63       -1.09       -0.14       -3.08  

 

1)

Impairment of trade receivables has been calculated according to IFRS 9 in 2018 and according to IAS 39 in 2017. Previously, these losses have been reported as selling and administrative expenses.

2)

Includes write-down of goodwill of SEK -13.0 billion.

3)

Based on net income (loss) attributable to stockholders of the Parent Company.

4)

Potential ordinary shares are not considered when their conversion to ordinary shares would increase earnings per share.

 

   
27    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Financial statements


Consolidated statement of cash flows - isolated quarters    

 

     2018      2017  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1      Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Operating activities

                       

Net income (loss)

     -6,497        2,748        -1,802        -725        -18,493        -3,457        -457        -10,026  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash

                       

Taxes

     3,590        -2,101        -1,071        -2,315        -1,803        -1,323        -1,826        -4,112  

Earnings/dividends in JV and associated companies

     -36        28        -19        4        -2        73        -8        -7  

Depreciation, amortization and impairment losses

     2,469        1,893        2,065        1,891        16,118        4,146        2,197        5,431  

Other

     376        348        568        140        179        -218        -48        527  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income reconciled to cash

     -98        2,916        -259        -1,005        -4,001        -779        -142        -8,187  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Changes in operating net assets

                       

Inventories

     1,689        -1,773        -1,910        -2,813        8,356        1,061        -1,492        -3,206  

Customer finance, current and non-current

     -863        1,001        547        400        36        456        1,140        -834  

Trade receivables and contract assets

     -7,521        -3,503        1,661        7,316        -2,246        623        184        2,818  

Trade payables

     829        953        1,252        -598        2,565        -1,061        19        363  

Provisions and post-employment benefits

     7,330        -265        478        -847        412        -608        315        4,636  

Contract liabilities

     -1,112        -220        -233        757        2,700        -1,910        -573        4,807  

Other operating assets and liabilities, net

     4,033        2,931        -94        -1,637        3,337        2,200        550        -1,938  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     4,385        -876        1,701        2,578        15,160        761        143        6,646  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities

     4,287        2,040        1,442        1,573        11,159        -18        1        -1,541  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investing activities

                       

Investments in property, plant and equipment

     -1,080        -1,088        -951        -856        -1,105        -739        -1,018        -1,015  

Sales of property, plant and equipment

     57        102        52        123        898        12        37        69  

Acquisitions/divestments of subsidiaries and other operations, net

     20        -425        -431        -449        -107        371        9        3  

Product development

     -195        -151        -325        -254        -138        -126        -315        -865  

Other investing activities

     -96        -190        -398        161        -573        42        -42        110  

Interest-bearing securities

     -910        30        3,656        -534        -2,772        3,756        -676        -11,886  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flow from investing activities

     -2,204        -1,722        1,603        -1,809        -3,797        3,316        -2,005        -13,584  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flow before financing activities

     2,083        318        3,045        -236        7,362        3,298        -2,004        -15,125  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financing activities

                       

Dividends paid

     -134        -2        -3,289        —          -1        -145        -3,274        -4  

Other financing activities

     -429        254        -383        -94        2,073        1,563        -5,636        10,902  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flow from financing activities

     -563        252        -3,672        -94        2,072        1,418        -8,910        10,898  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     811        -1,562        980        1,143        240        48        -594        215  

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     2,331        -992        353        813        9,674        4,764        -11,508        -4,012  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     36,058        37,050        36,697        35,884        26,210        21,446        32,954        36,966  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

     38,389        36,058        37,050        36,697        35,884        26,210        21,446        32,954  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

   
28    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Financial statements


Parent Company income statement    

 

     Oct-Dec      Jan-Dec  

SEK million

   2018      2017      2018      2017  

Net sales

     —          —          —          —    

Cost of sales

     —          —          —          —    

Gross income

     —          —          —          —    

Operating expenses

     -301        -434        -1,686        -1,294  

Other operating income and expenses

     958        -131        2,111        1,616  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income

     657        -565        425        322  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial net

     1,853        -4,050        5,340        -2,297  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income after financial items

     2,510        -4,615        5,765        -1,975  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Transfers to (-) / from untaxed reserves

     -1,535        -120        -1,535        -120  

Taxes

     220        95        -36        -53  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     1,195        -4,640        4,194        -2,148  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Parent company statement of comprehensive income (loss)    

 

     Oct-Dec      Jan-Dec  

SEK million

   2018      2017      2018      2017  

Net income (loss)

     1,195        -4,640        4,194        -2,148  

Revaluation of borrowings due to change in credit risk

     -251        —          91        —    

Tax on items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

     56        —          -19        —    

Available-for-sale financial assets

           

Gains/losses arising during the period

     —          -10        —          68  

Reclassification adjustments on gains/losses included in profit or loss

     —          —          —          5  

Revaluation of other investments in shares and participations

           

Fair value remeasurement

     —          102        —          102  

Tax on items that may be reclassified to profit or loss

     —          4        —          -14  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income, net of tax

     -195        96        72        161  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

     1,000        -4,544        4,266        -1,987  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

   
29    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Financial statements


Parent company balance sheet    

 

     Dec 31      Dec 31  

SEK million

   2018      2017  

ASSETS

     

Fixed assets

     

Intangible assets

     139        329  

Tangible assets

     259        346  

Financial assets 1) 2)

     109,177        119,896  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     109,575        120,571  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current assets

     

Inventories

     —          1  

Receivables 2)

     38,760        41,173  

Short-term investments

     6,268        6,446  

Cash and cash equivalents

     27,850        18,715  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     72,878        66,335  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     182,453        186,906  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY, PROVISIONS AND LIABILITIES

     

Equity

     

Restricted equity

     48,164        48,164  

Non-restricted equity 2)

     40,752        39,578  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     88,916        87,742  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Provisions

     86        602  

Non-current liabilities 2)

     62,581        60,623  

Current liabilities

     30,870        37,939  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity, provisions and liabilities

     182,453        186,906  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

1)    Of which interest-bearing securities, non-current

     23,982        25,105  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

2)    The following 2018 opening balances have been adjusted due to IFRS 9: financial assets increased by SEK 8 million, receivables decreased by SEK -4 million, non-restricted equity decreased by SEK -28 million, and non-current liabilities increased by SEK 31 million.

     

 

   
30    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Financial statements


Additional information

Accounting policies

 

The group

This interim report is prepared in accordance with IAS 34. The term “IFRS” used in this document refers to the application of IAS and IFRS as well as interpretations of these standards as issued by IASB’s Standards Interpretation Committee (SIC) and IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRIC). The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those of the annual report for the year ended December 31, 2017 and should be read in conjunction with that annual report, with exception for the accounting policies described below.

New standards as from January 1, 2018

Two new IFRS standards are effective as from January 1, 2018, IFRS 9 “Financial instruments” and IFRS 15 “Revenue from Customer Contracts”.

Presentation in the financial statements

For IFRS 15 the Company has adopted the full retrospective method for transition, which mean that prior year comparatives have been restated and equity has been adjusted at the initial application date (January 1, 2016). The Company has applied IFRS 9 retrospectively on the required effective date, January 1, 2018. The 2018 opening balances have been adjusted, but the previous periods have not been restated.

Based on the new requirements under IFRS 15, contract assets and contract liabilities have been added as new lines in the consolidated balance sheet and statement of cash flow. Previously, contract assets were reported as trade receivables and contract liabilities were reported as deferred revenue and as advances from customers within other current liabilities. Due to IFRS 9, impairment losses on trade receivables are reported on a separate line in the consolidated income statement. Previously, these losses have been reported as Selling and administrative expenses. In the statement of comprehensive income, a new line has been added for revaluation of borrowings due to changes in credit risk. A new line has been added to the consolidated statement of equity showing the adjustment to the opening balance.

The prior periods financial statements and key ratios presented in this quarterly report have been restated to reflect adoption of these new standards.

Accounting policy - IFRS 9 “Financial instruments”

Financial assets

The Company classifies its financial assets in the following categories: at amortized cost, at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI), and at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL). The classification depends on the characteristics of the asset and the business model in which it is held.

Financial assets at amortized cost

Financial assets are classified as amortized cost if the contractual terms give rise to payments that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding and the financial asset is held in a business model whose objective is to hold financial assets in order to collect contractual cash flows. These assets are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, minus impairment allowances.

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI)

Assets are classified as FVOCI if the contractual terms give rise to payments that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding and the financial asset is held in a business model whose objective is achieved by both collecting contractual cash flows and selling financial assets. These assets are subsequently measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (OCI), except for effective interest, impairment gains and losses and foreign exchange gains and losses recognized in the income statement. Upon derecognition, the cumulative gain or loss in OCI is reclassified to the income statement.

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)

All financial assets that are not classified as either amortized cost or FVOCI are classified as FVTPL. A financial asset is classified as held for trading if it is acquired principally for the purpose of selling in the near term. Derivatives are classified as held for trading, unless they are designated as hedging instruments for the purpose of hedge accounting. Assets held for trading are classified as current assets. Debt instruments classified as FVTPL, but not held for trading, are classified on the balance sheet based on their maturity date (i.e. those with a maturity longer than one year are classified as non-current). Investments in shares and participations are classified as FVTPL and classified as non-current financial assets.

Gains or losses arising from changes in the fair values of the “Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss” category (excluding derivatives and customer financing) are presented in the income statement within Financial income in the period in which they arise. Gains and losses on derivatives are presented in the income statement either as Cost of sales, Other operating income, Financial income or Financial expense, depending on the intent with the transaction. Gains and losses on customer financing are presented in the income statement as Selling expenses.

Impairment in relation to financial assets

At each balance sheet date, financial assets classified as either amortized cost or FVOCI and contract assets are assessed for impairment based on Expected Credit Losses (ECL). Allowances for trade receivables and contract assets are always equal to lifetime ECL. The loss is recognized in the income statement. When there is no reasonable expectation of collection, the asset is written off.

Borrowings

Borrowings by the Parent Company are designated FVTPL because they are managed and evaluated on a fair value basis. Changes in fair value are recognized in the income statement, except for changes in fair value due to change in credit risk which are recognized in Other comprehensive income.

 

 

   
31    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Additional information


Summary of changes to classification of financial assets and financial liabilities    

 

Type of asset

  

IAS 39 classification

  

IFRS 9 classification

  

Reason for IFRS 9 classification

Cash equivalents, interest-bearing securities, and derivatives (held for trading)    FVTPL    FVTPL    Held for trading portfolios are classified as FVTPL (no change).
Cash equivalents (not held for trading)    Loans and receivables    Amortized cost    These assets are held to collect contractual cash flows.
Interest-bearing securities (not held for trading)    Available-for-sale    FVTPL    These assets are not held for trading but are managed and evaluated on a fair value basis.
Trade receivables    Loans and receivables    FVOCI    Trade receivables are managed in a business model whose objective is achieved through both collection of contractual cash flows and selling of assets.
Customer financing    Loans and receivables    FVTPL    Customer finance assets are managed in a business model with the objective to realize cash flows through the sale of assets.
Investments in shares and participations (equity instruments)    Available-for-sale    FVTPL    This is an accounting policy choice under IFRS 9.
Borrowings by parent company    Amortized cost    Designated FVTPL    These borrowings are managed and evaluated on a fair value basis.

 

Fair value hedging and fair value hedge accounting

Fair value hedge accounting is no longer applied as of January 1, 2018.

Financial guarantees

Financial guarantee contracts are initially recognized at fair value (i.e., usually the fee received). Subsequently, these contracts are measured at the higher of:

 

    The expected credit losses.

 

    The recognized contractual fee less cumulative amortization when amortized over the guarantee period, using the straight-line-method.

Accounting policy - IFRS 15 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”

IFRS 15, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” establishes a new principle-based model of recognizing revenue from customer contracts. It introduces a five-step model that requires revenue to be recognized when control over goods and services are transferred to the customer.

The following paragraphs describes the types of contracts, when performance obligations are satisfied, and the timing of revenue recognition. They also describe the normal payment terms associated with such contracts and the resulting impact on the balance sheet over the duration of the contracts. The vast majority of Ericsson’s business is for the sale of standard products and services.

Standard products and services

Products and services are classified as standard solutions if they do not require significant installation and integration services to be delivered. Installation and integration services are generally completed within a short period of time, from the delivery of the related products. These products and services are viewed as separate distinct performance obligations. This type of customer contract is usually signed as a frame agreement and the customer issues individual purchase orders to commit to purchases of products and services over the duration of the agreement.

Revenue for standard products shall be recognized when control over the equipment is transferred to the customer at a point in time. This assessment shall be viewed from a customer’s perspective considering indicators such as transfer of titles and risks, customer acceptance, physical possession, and billing rights. For hardware sales, transfer of control is usually deemed to occur when the equipment arrives at the customer site and for software sales, when the licenses are made available to the customer. Contractual terms may vary, therefore judgment will be applied when assessing the indicators of transfer of control. Revenue for installation and integration services is recognized upon completion of the service.

Transaction prices under these contracts are mostly billed upon delivery of the hardware or software, and completion of installation services, although a proportion may be billed upon formal acceptance of the related installation services. This will result in a contract asset for the proportion of the transaction price that is not yet billed.

Revenue for recurring services such as customer support and managed services is recognized as the services are delivered, generally pro-rata over time. Transaction prices under these contracts are billed over time, often on a quarterly basis. Contract liabilities or receivables may arise depending on whether the quarterly billing is in advance or in arrears.

Contract for standard products and services applies to business in all segments.

Customized solution

Some products and services are sold together as part of a customized solution to the customer. This type of contract requires significant installation and integration services to be delivered within the solution, normally over a period of more than 1 year. These products and services are viewed together as a combined performance obligation. This type of contract is usually sold as a firm contract in which the scope of the solution and obligations of both parties are clearly defined for the duration of the contract.

 

 

   
32    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Additional information


Revenue for the combined performance obligation shall be recognized over time if progress of completion can be reliably measured and enforceable right to payment exists over the duration of the contract. The progress of completion is estimated by reference to the output delivered such as achievement of contract milestones and customer acceptance. This method is considered appropriate as it reflects the nature of the customized solution and how integration service is delivered in these projects. Formal acceptance term is considered a key indicator of transfer of control for a customized solution and shall therefore be obtained prior to recognizing revenue. If the criteria above are not met, then all revenue shall be recognized upon the completion of the customized solution, when final acceptance is provided by the customer.

Transaction price under these contracts are represented by progress payments or billing milestones as defined in the contracts. In most cases, revenue recognized is limited to the progress payments or unconditional billing milestones over the duration of the contract, therefore no contract asset or contract liability arises on these contracts. In some contracts, revenue may be recognized in advance of billing milestones if enforceable payment rights exist at all times over the contract duration. This will result in a contract asset balance until billing milestones are reached.

Contract for customized solution applies to the Business Support Systems (BSS) business within the segment Digital Services and the Media Solutions business within the segment Emerging Business and Other.

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

This type of contract relates to the patent and licensing business. The Company has assessed that the nature of its IPR contracts is such that they provide customers a license with the right to access Ericsson intellectual properties over time, therefore revenue shall be recognized over the duration of the contract. Royalty revenue based on sales or usage is recognized when the sales and usage occurs.

The transaction price on these contracts is usually structured as a royalty fee based on sales or usage over the period, measured on a quarterly basis. This results in a receivable balance if the billing is performed the following quarter after measurement. Some contracts include lump sum amounts, payable either up front at commencement or on an annual basis. This results in a contract liability balance if payment is in advance of revenue, as revenue is recognized over time.

As described in Note C3 “Segment Information” of the Annual Report 2017, revenue from IPR licensing contracts are allocated to the segments Networks and Digital Services.

 

 

Impact of IFRS 9 and IFRS 15 on balance sheet items    

 

     As reported at
31.12 2017
     IFRS 15
restatement
     Restated
balance at
31.12.2017
     IFRS 9
adjustment
     Adjusted
balance at
1.1.2018
 

ASSETS

              

Non-current assets

              

Deferred tax assets

     21,228        735        21,963        288        22,251  

Current assets

              

Inventories

     24,960        587        25,547        —          25,547  

Contract assets

     —          13,120        13,120        —          13,120  

Trade receivables

     63,210        -15,105        48,105        -1,240        46,865  

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

              

Equity

              

Stockholder’s equity

     99,540        -2,605        96,935        -983        95,952  

Non-current liabilities

              

Borrowings, non-current

     30,500        —          30,500        31        30,531  

Current liabilities

              

Provisions

     6,350        -67        6,283        —          6,283  

Contract liabilities

     —          29,076        29,076        —          29,076  

Other current liabilities

     62,370        -27,065        35,305        —          35,305  

 

IFRS 16 - Leases

In January 2016, IASB issued a new lease standard, IFRS 16, that will replace IAS 17 Leases and the related interpretations IFRIC 4, SIC-15 and SIC-27. The definition of a lease is amended which impacts the accounting both from a lessee and lessor perspective. The new standard includes more specific guidance on if and when leasing is embedded in a service contract.

Accounting for lessees

The standard requires assets and liabilities arising from all leases, with some exceptions, to be recognized on the balance sheet. This model reflects that, at the start of a lease, the lessee always obtains the right to use an asset for a period of time and has an obligation to

pay for that right. The main types of assets leased by the Company are, in the order of materiality, real estate, IT-equipment and vehicles. Vehicles are mainly used under service contracts.

Accounting for lessors

The accounting for lessors will be based on the same classification as of an operating or finance lease under IAS 17. This means that if the Company, as a lessor, substantially retains the ownership rights and obligations of the asset, then the lease is classified as an operating lease. On the contrary, the lease is classified as a finance lease if the ownership rights and obligations of the asset are transferred to the lessee.

 

 

 

   
33    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Additional information


Impact at transition

The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. The Company will apply the new standard as from January 1, 2019. At transition, the Company will apply the practical expedient under IFRS 16 to not reassess whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. Therefore, the Company will apply the standard to contracts previously identified as leases, or as containing a lease under IAS 17 and IFRIC 4.

The Company will elect to implement the standard using the cumulative catch-up method, with the cumulative effect being adjusted to the opening retained earnings balance at transition date. There will be no restated information presented for previous years.

At transition, the Company, as a lessee, will recognize lease liabilities for leases previously classified as operating leases. The weighted average incremental borrowing rate to be applied to lease liabilities recognized in the balance sheet at the transition date is estimated to 5.4%. Right-of-use assets will for most contracts be recognized based on the amount equal to the related lease liability. For some larger real estate contracts right-of-use assets are recognized as if IFRS 16 had been applied since the commencement date, however, using the incremental borrowing rate as per the effective date. The asset value for these contracts is estimated to be SEK 0.3 billion lower than the related liabilities. It is this difference that causes the reduction of equity as per transition date.

The Company will also apply the following practical expedients when applying IFRS 16 at transition date:

 

    The IAS 37 onerous lease contract measurement for the operating leases existing as per the effective date. This expedient will be applied as a substitute for the measurement of impairment for the related right-of-use as assets. Impairment testing will be applied going-forward.
    Exclusion of initial direct costs from the measurement of the right-to-use asset at the date of initial recognition.

The Company does not expect material impact on lessor accounting at transition.

A new classification in the income statement will be made. Under IFRS 16, as a lessee, the finance cost is reported under finance costs while under operating leases they were embedded in the lease expenses, either as costs of sales or operating expenses.

The timing of the cash flows will not be impacted. The reported amortization of lease liabilities will, however, be reported as from effective date as financing cash flows and not operating cash flows as prior to 2019. The impact of this reclassification is in 2019 estimated to be SEK 2.0 billion.

Estimated opening balance sheet impact of IFRS 16 (discounted)

 

SEK billion

   IFRS 16 adjustment  

Right of use assets

     9.1  

Impairment provision reclassification

     0.8  

Lease liabilities current

     -2.2  

Lease liabilities non-current

     -8.3  

Equity

     0.3  

Other reclassification of balance sheet accounts due to IFRS 16

     0.3  

The estimated increase of right-of-use assets is SEK 9.1 billion presented in PP&E. This will increase the total asset value by 3%.

The previous impairment provisions for real estate have been reclassified as right-of-use asset allowances. There is no impact on the income statement.

Segment reporting

Changes applied in Q1 2018

As of Q1 2018, sales related to 3PP routing business are reported in Networks (earlier Digital Services). Comparative periods have been restated to reflect this change. In Q1 2018, these sales were SEK 151 (160) million.

Changes applied in Q2 2018

As of Q2 2018, sales related to Application Development and Maintenance (ADM) and certain sales related to Business Support Solution (BSS) was moved between segments Managed Services and Digital Services, with increased sales in Managed Services and a corresponding sales decrease in Digital Services (net effect of SEK 1.9 b in 2017). The corresponding impact on 2017 gross income was SEK 0.2 b (positive for Managed Services, negative for Digital Services). Historical data has been restated to reflect the organizational change.

 

 

   
34    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018                        Additional information


Net sales by segment by quarter    

 

     2018     2017  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Networks

     41,641       35,934       32,393       28,602       37,077       31,871       31,699       31,638  

Of which Products

     29,803       25,336       22,319       19,473       25,404       21,734       21,281       21,858  

Of which Services

     11,838       10,598       10,074       9,129       11,673       10,137       10,418       9,780  

Digital Services

     13,007       8,987       8,833       7,262       11,820       8,930       9,901       8,101  

Of which Products

     7,462       4,582       4,467       3,947       6,452       4,859       5,370       4,327  

Of which Services

     5,545       4,405       4,366       3,315       5,368       4,071       4,531       3,774  

Managed Services

     6,881       6,465       6,528       5,896       6,898       6,618       6,673       6,283  

Emerging Business and Other

     2,280       2,424       2,054       1,651       2,086       1,994       2,008       1,781  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     63,809       53,810       49,808       43,411       57,881       49,413       50,281       47,803  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2018     2017  

Sequential change, percent

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Networks

     16     11     13     -23     16     1     0     —    

Of which Products

     18     14     15     -23     17     2     -3     —    

Of which Services

     12     5     10     -22     15     -3     7     —    

Digital Services

     45     2     22     -39     32     -10     22     —    

Of which Products

     63     3     13     -39     33     -10     24     —    

Of which Services

     26     1     32     -38     32     -10     20     —    

Managed Services

     6     -1     11     -15     4     -1     6     —    

Emerging Business and Other

     -6     18     24     -21     5     -1     13     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     19     8     15     -25     17     -2     5     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2018     2017  

Year over year change, percent

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Networks

     12     13     2     -10     —         —         —         —    

Of which Products

     17     17     5     -11     —         —         —         —    

Of which Services

     1     5     -3     -7     —         —         —         —    

Digital Services

     10     1     -11     -10     —         —         —         —    

Of which Products

     16     -6     -17     -9     —         —         —         —    

Of which Services

     3     8     -4     -12     —         —         —         —    

Managed Services

     0     -2     -2     -6     —         —         —         —    

Emerging Business and Other

     9     22     2     -7     —         —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     10     9     -1     -9     —         —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2018     2017  

Year to date, SEK million

   Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar     Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar  

Networks

     138,570       96,929       60,995       28,602       132,285       95,208       63,337       31,638  

Of which Products

     96,931       67,128       41,792       19,473       90,277       64,873       43,139       21,858  

Of which Services

     41,639       29,801       19,203       9,129       42,008       30,335       20,198       9,780  

Digital Services

     38,089       25,082       16,095       7,262       38,752       26,932       18,002       8,101  

Of which Products

     20,458       12,996       8,414       3,947       21,008       14,556       9,697       4,327  

Of which Services

     17,631       12,086       7,681       3,315       17,744       12,376       8,305       3,774  

Managed Services

     25,770       18,889       12,424       5,896       26,472       19,574       12,956       6,283  

Emerging Business and Other

     8,409       6,129       3,705       1,651       7,869       5,783       3,789       1,781  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     210,838       147,029       93,219       43,411       205,378       147,497       98,084       47,803  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2018     2017  

Year over year change, percent

   Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar     Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar  

Networks

     5     2     -4     -10     -6     —         —         —    

Of which Products

     7     3     -3     -11     -4     —         —         —    

Of which Services

     -1     -2     -5     -7     -8     —         —         —    

Digital Services

     -2     -7     -11     -10     -9     —         —         —    

Of which Products

     -3     -11     -13     -9     -10     —         —         —    

Of which Services

     -1     -2     -8     -12     -8     —         —         —    

Managed Services

     -3     -3     -4     -6     -8     —         —         —    

Emerging Business and Other

     7     6     -2     -7     -9     —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     3     0     -5     -9     -7     —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

   
35    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018                        Additional information


Sales growth adjusted for comparable units and currency*    

 

     2018     2017  

Sequential change, percent

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Networks

     16     9     7     -22     —          —          —          —    

Digital Services

     45     0     16     -38     —          —          —          —    

Managed Services

     7     -1     6     -11     —          —          —          —    

Emerging Business and Other

     -6     15     18     -20     —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     19     7     9     -24     —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2018     2017  

Isolated quarter, year over year change, percent

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Networks

     6     5     2     -2     —          —          —          —    

Digital Services

     5     -6     -12     -3     —          —          —          —    

Managed Services

     -5     -8     -3     -4     —                         

Emerging Business and Other

     1     11     1     -2     —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     4     1     -1     -2     —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2018     2017  

Year to date, year over year change, percent

   Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar     Jan-Dec      Jan-Sep      Jan-Jun      Jan-Mar  

Networks

     3     2     0     -2     —          —          —          —    

Digital Services

     -4     -7     -8     -3     —          —          —          —    

Managed Services

     -5     -5     -3     -4     —          —          —          —    

Emerging Business and Other

     3     3     -1     -2     —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     1     -1     -2     -2     —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*

Sales growth adjusted for comparable units and currency has not been restated for 2017.    

Gross income (loss) and gross margin by segment by quarter    

 

     2018     2017  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Networks

     16,626       14,835       12,565       11,127       11,849       10,654       10,894       10,031  

Digital Services

     -1,240       3,208       3,458       2,892       1,113       2,620       3,289       -2,324  

Managed Services

     781       805       809       491       -691       -360       19       -542  

Emerging Business and Other

     212       782       501       348       245       367       427       336  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     16,379       19,630       17,333       14,858       12,516       13,281       14,629       7,501  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2018     2017  

Isolated quarters, As percentage of net sales

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Networks

     39.9     41.3     38.8     38.9     32.0     33.4     34.4     31.7

Digital Services

     -9.5     35.7     39.1     39.8     9.4     29.3     33.2     -28.7

Managed Services

     11.4     12.5     12.4     8.3     -10.0     -5.4     0.3     -8.6

Emerging Business and Other

     9.3     32.3     24.4     21.1     11.7     18.4     21.3     18.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     25.7     36.5     34.8     34.2     21.6     26.9     29.1     15.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2018     2017  

Year to date, SEK million

   Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar     Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar  

Networks

     55,153       38,527       23,692       11,127       43,428       31,579       20,925       10,031  

Digital Services

     8,318       9,558       6,350       2,892       4,698       3,585       965       -2,324  

Managed Services

     2,886       2,105       1,300       491       -1,574       -883       -523       -542  

Emerging Business and Other

     1,843       1,631       849       348       1,375       1,130       763       336  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     68,200       51,821       32,191       14,858       47,927       35,411       22,130       7,501  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2018     2017  

Year to date, As percentage of net sales

   Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar     Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar  

Networks

     39.8     39.7     38.8     38.9     32.8     33.2     33.0     31.7

Digital Services

     21.8     38.1     39.5     39.8     12.1     13.3     5.4     -28.7

Managed Services

     11.2     11.1     10.5     8.3     -5.9     -4.5     -4.0     -8.6

Emerging Business and Other

     21.9     26.6     22.9     21.1     17.5     19.5     20.1     18.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     32.3     35.2     34.5     34.2     23.3     24.0     22.6     15.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   
36    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018                        Additional information


Operating income (loss) and operating margin by segment by quarter    

 

     2018     2017  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Networks

     6,850       5,656       3,544       3,371       1,945       2,375       3,424       2,711  

Digital Services

     -7,087       -1,784       -2,374       -2,607       -12,271       -3,770       -2,237       -9,004  

Managed Services

     285       409       299       100       -1,275       -727       -258       -1,829  

Emerging Business and Other

     -1,900       -1,040       -1,304       -1,176       -7,677       -1,530       -1,466       -3,154  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     -1,852       3,241       165       -312       -19,278       -3,652       -537       -11,276  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2018     2017  

Isolated quarters, As percentage of net sales

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Networks

     16.5     15.7     10.9     11.8     5.2     7.5     10.8     8.6

Digital Services

     -54.5     -19.9     -26.9     -35.9     -103.8     -42.2     -22.6     -111.1

Managed Services

     4.1     6.3     4.6     1.7     -18.5     -11.0     -3.9     -29.1

Emerging Business and Other

     -83.3     -42.9     -63.5     -71.2     -368.0     -76.7     -73.0     -177.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     -2.9     6.0     0.3     -0.7     -33.3     -7.4     -1.1     -23.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2018     2017  

Year to date, SEK million

   Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar     Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar  

Networks

     19,421       12,571       6,915       3,371       10,455       8,510       6,135       2,711  

Digital Services

     -13,852       -6,765       -4,981       -2,607       -27,282       -15,011       -11,241       -9,004  

Managed Services

     1,093       808       399       100       -4,089       -2,814       -2,087       -1,829  

Emerging Business and Other

     -5,420       -3,520       -2,480       -1,176       -13,827       -6,150       -4,620       -3,154  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     1,242       3,094       -147       -312       -34,743       -15,465       -11,813       -11,276  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2018     2017  

Year to date As percentage of net sales

   Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar     Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar  

Networks

     14.0     13.0     11.3     11.8     7.9     8.9     9.7     8.6

Digital Services

     -36.4     -27.0     -30.9     -35.9     -70.4     -55.7     -62.4     -111.1

Managed Services

     4.2     4.3     3.2     1.7     -15.4     -14.4     -16.1     -29.1

Emerging Business and Other

     -64.5     -57.4     -66.9     -71.2     -175.7     -106.3     -121.9     -177.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     0.6     2.1     -0.2     -0.7     -16.9     -10.5     -12.0     -23.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

   
37    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018                        Additional information


EBITA and EBITA margin by segment by quarter    

 

     2018     2017  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Networks

     6,916       5,722       3,618       3,461       2,032       2,460       3,509       2,892  

Digital Services

     -6,911       -1,608       -2,204       -2,443       -4,890       -3,577       -2,034       -8,246  

Managed Services

     288       411       303       105       -1,268       -726       -259       -1,825  

Emerging Business and Other

     -1,524       -940       -1,202       -1,088       -1,199       -1,430       -1,308       -2,222  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     -1,231       3,585       515       35       -5,325       -3,273       -92       -9,401  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2018     2017  

Isolated quarters As percentage of net sales

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Networks

     16.6     15.9     11.2     12.1     5.5     7.7     11.1     9.1

Digital Services

     -53.1     -17.9     -25.0     -33.6     -41.4     -40.1     -20.5     -101.8

Managed Services

     4.2     6.4     4.6     1.8     -18.4     -11.0     -3.9     -29.0

Emerging Business and Other

     -66.8     -38.8     -58.5     -65.9     -57.5     -71.7     -65.1     -124.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     -1.9     6.7     1.0     0.1     -9.2     -6.6     -0.2     -19.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2018     2017  

Year to date, SEK million

   Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar     Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar  

Networks

     19,717       12,801       7,079       3,461       10,893       8,861       6,401       2,892  

Digital Services

     -13,166       -6,255       -4,647       -2,443       -18,747       -13,857       -10,280       -8,246  

Managed Services

     1,107       819       408       105       -4,078       -2,810       -2,084       -1,825  

Emerging Business and Other

     -4,754       -3,230       -2,290       -1,088       -6,159       -4,960       -3,530       -2,222  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     2,904       4,135       550       35       -18,091       -12,766       -9,493       -9,401  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2018     2017  

Year to date As a percentage of net sales

   Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar     Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar  

Networks

     14.2     13.2     11.6     12.1     8.2     9.3     10.1     9.1

Digital Services

     -34.6     -24.9     -28.9     -33.6     -48.4     -51.5     -57.1     -101.8

Managed Services

     4.3     4.3     3.3     1.8     -15.4     -14.4     -16.1     -29.0

Emerging Business and Other

     -56.5     -52.7     -61.8     -65.9     -78.3     -85.8     -93.2     -124.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     1.4     2.8     0.6     0.1     -8.8     -8.7     -9.7     -19.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

   
38    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018                        Additional information


Net sales by market area by quarter    

 

     2018     2017  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

South East Asia, Oceania and India

     8,244       7,985       6,981       6,379       7,844       7,858       7,234       8,410  

North East Asia

     8,387       5,773       4,764       3,385       6,465       5,653       5,901       5,564  

North America

     17,999       14,933       14,337       11,317       14,685       12,319       12,970       12,027  

Europe and Latin America 1) 2)

     18,221       14,816       14,174       13,061       16,939       13,430       14,231       12,201  

Middle East and Africa

     6,516       5,722       5,626       5,765       7,581       6,297       5,731       5,356  

Other 1) 2)

     4,442       4,581       3,926       3,504       4,367       3,856       4,214       4,245  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     63,809       53,810       49,808       43,411       57,881       49,413       50,281       47,803  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

1)    Of which in Sweden

     375       429       596       915       872       660       785       1,017  

2)    Of which in EU

     10,319       8,481       8,619       8,522       10,822       8,635       8,687       8,328  
     2018     2017  

Sequential change, percent

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

South East Asia, Oceania and India

     3     14     9     -19     0     9     -14     —    

North East Asia

     45     21     41     -48     14     -4     6     —    

North America

     21     4     27     -23     19     -5     8     —    

Europe and Latin America 1) 2)

     23     5     9     -23     26     -6     17     —    

Middle East and Africa

     14     2     -2     -24     20     10     7     —    

Other 1) 2)

     -3     17     12     -20     13     -8     -1     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     19     8     15     -25     17     -2     5     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

1)    Of which in Sweden

     -13     -28     -35     5     32     -16     -23     —    

2)    Of which in EU

     22     -2     1     -21     25     -1     4     —    
     2018     2017  

Year-over-year change, percent

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

South East Asia, Oceania and India

     5     2     -3     -24     —         —         —         —    

North East Asia

     30     2     -19     -39     —         —         —         —    

North America

     23     21     11     -6     —         —         —         —    

Europe and Latin America 1) 2)

     8     10     0     7     —         —         —         —    

Middle East and Africa

     -14     -9     -2     8     —         —         —         —    

Other 1) 2)

     2     19     -7     -17     —         —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     10     9     -1     -9     —         —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

1)    Of which in Sweden

     -57     -35     -24     -10     —         —         —         —    

2)    Of which in EU

     -5     -2     -1     2     —         —         —         —    
     2018     2017  

Year to date, SEK million

   Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar     Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar  

South East Asia, Oceania and India

     29,589       21,345       13,360       6,379       31,346       23,502       15,644       8,410  

North East Asia

     22,309       13,922       8,149       3,385       23,583       17,118       11,465       5,564  

North America

     58,586       40,587       25,654       11,317       52,001       37,316       24,997       12,027  

Europe and Latin America 1) 2)

     60,272       42,051       27,235       13,061       56,801       39,862       26,432       12,201  

Middle East and Africa

     23,629       17,113       11,391       5,765       24,965       17,384       11,087       5,356  

Other 1) 2)

     16,453       12,011       7,430       3,504       16,682       12,315       8,459       4,245  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     210,838       147,029       93,219       43,411       205,378       147,497       98,084       47,803  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

1)    Of which in Sweden

     2,315       1,940       1,511       915       3,334       2,462       1,802       1,017  

2)    Of which in EU

     35,941       25,622       17,141       8,522       36,472       25,650       17,015       8,328  
     2018     2017  

Year to date, year-over-year change, percent

   Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar     Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar  

South East Asia, Oceania and India

     -6     -9     -15     -24     0     —         —         —    

North East Asia

     -5     -19     -29     -39     -13     —         —         —    

North America

     13     9     3     -6     1     —         —         —    

Europe and Latin America 1) 2)

     6     5     3     7     -9     —         —         —    

Middle East and Africa

     -5     -2     3     8     -9     —         —         —    

Other 1) 2)

     -1     -2     -12     -17     -18     —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     3     0     -5     -9     -7     —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

1)    Of which in Sweden

     -31     -21     -16     -10     -1     —         —         —    

2)    Of which in EU

     -1     0     1     2     -6     —         —         —    

 

   
39    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018                        Additional information


Top 5 countries in sales    

 

     Q4     Jan-Dec  

Country Percentage of Net sales

   2018     2017     2018     2017  

United States

     30     26     29     27

China

     9     7     7     7

India

     3     4     4     5

Australia

     3     3     4     3

Japan

     4     4     3     4

Net sales by market area by segment    

 

     Q4 2018     Jan-Dec 2018  

SEK million

   Networks     Digital
Services
    Managed
Services
    Emerging
Business
and Other
    Total     Networks     Digital
Services
    Managed
Services
    Emerging
Business
and Other
    Total  

South East Asia, Oceania and India

     6,097       1,250       870       27       8,244       21,337       4,824       3,388       40       29,589  

North East Asia

     5,495       2,491       383       18       8,387       15,915       4,849       1,465       80       22,309  

North America

     13,985       2,770       1,220       24       17,999       46,452       8,358       3,680       96       58,586  

Europe and Latin America

     10,486       4,280       3,362       93       18,221       34,413       12,339       13,207       313       60,272  

Middle East and Africa

     3,638       1,829       1,046       3       6,516       13,300       6,284       4,030       15       23,629  

Other

     1,940       387       —         2,115       4,442       7,153       1,435       —         7,865       16,453  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     41,641       13,007       6,881       2,280       63,809       138,570       38,089       25,770       8,409       210,838  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Share of total

     65     20     11     4     100     66     18     12     4     100

 

     Q4 2018  

Sequential change, percent

   Networks     Digital
Services
    Managed
Services
    Emerging
Business
and Other
    Total  

South East Asia, Oceania and India

     5     -2     -1     800     3

North East Asia

     20     199     17     -40     45

North America

     19     32     17     4     21

Europe and Latin America

     20     50     6     27     23

Middle East and Africa

     16     19     0     —         14

Other

     2     1     —         -8     -3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     16     45     6     -6     19
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Q4 2018     Jan-Dec 2018  

Year over year change, percent

   Networks     Digital
Services
    Managed
Services
    Emerging
Business
and Other
    Total     Networks     Digital
Services
    Managed
Services
    Emerging
Business
and Other
    Total  

South East Asia, Oceania and India

     3     -3     35     440     5     -9     1     5     400     -6

North East Asia

     28     57     -33     500     30     -2     -11     -22     471     -5

North America

     18     33     85     -35     23     14     4     15     -16     13

Europe and Latin America

     18     8     -15     2     8     14     2     -7     12     6

Middle East and Africa

     -13     -22     0     -86     -14     -6     -8     0     -67     -5

Other

     2     -28     —         10     2     -7     -8     —         6     -1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     12     10     0     9     10     5     -2     -3     7     3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

   
40    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Additional information


IPR licensing revenues by segment by quarter    

 

     2018      2017  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1      Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Networks

     1,759        1,755        1,486        1,522        1,731        1,640        1,670        1,724  

Digital Services

     387        385        326        334        380        360        366        379  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     2,146        2,140        1,812        1,856        2,111        2,000        2,036        2,103  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2018      2017  

Year to date, SEK million

   Jan-Dec      Jan-Sep      Jan-Jun      Jan-Mar      Jan-Dec      Jan-Sep      Jan-Jun      Jan-Mar  

Networks

     6,522        4,763        3,008        1,522        6,765        5,034        3,394        1,724  

Digital Services

     1,432        1,045        660        334        1,485        1,105        745        379  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     7,954        5,808        3,668        1,856        8,250        6,139        4,139        2,103  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Provisions                        
     2018      2017  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1      Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Opening balance

     8,695        9,534        9,030        9,879        9,514        10,357        10,514        6,320  

Additions

     8,930        1,491        1,974        1,315        2,769        1,942        1,403        6,365  

Utilization/Cash out

     -1,436        -1,774        -1,486        -2,216        -2,186        -2,626        -1,324        -2,085  

Of which restructuring

     -656        -1,236        -832        -1,424        -1,204        -1,461        -1,075        -1,586  

Reversal of excess amounts

     -290        -127        -191        -117        -199        -32        -65        -66  

Reclassification, translation difference and other

     109        -429        207        169        -19        -127        -171        -20  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance

     16,008        8,695        9,534        9,030        9,879        9,514        10,357        10,514  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Of which restructuring

     6,438        2,960        4,029        3,524        4,043        3,458        4,003        4,059  
     2018      2017  

Year to date, SEK million

   Jan-Dec      Jan-Sep      Jan-Jun      Jan-Mar      Jan-Dec      Jan-Sep      Jan-Jun      Jan-Mar  

Opening balance

     9,879        9,879        9,879        9,879        6,320        6,320        6,320        6,320  

Additions

     13,710        4,780        3,289        1,315        12,479        9,710        7,768        6,365  

Utilization/Cash out

     -6,912        -5,476        -3,702        -2,216        -8,221        -6,035        -3,409        -2,085  

Of which restructuring

     -4,148        -3,492        -2,256        -1,424        -5,326        -4,122        -2,661        -1,586  

Reversal of excess amounts

     -725        -435        -308        -117        -362        -163        -131        -66  

Reclassification, translation difference and other

     56        -53        376        169        -337        -318        -191        -20  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance

     16,008        8,695        9,534        9,030        9,879        9,514        10,357        10,514  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Of which restructuring

     6,438        2,960        4,029        3,524        4,043        3,458        4,003        4,059  

 

   
41    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Additional information


Information on investments    

Investments in assets subject to depreciation, amortization, impairment and write-downs    

 

     2018      2017  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1      Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Additions

                       

Property, plant and equipment

     1,080        1,088        951        856        1,105        739        1,018        1,015  

Capitalized development expenses

     195        151        325        254        138        126        315        865  

IPR, brands and other intangible assets

     27        —          1        —          315        1        19        1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     1,302        1,239        1,277        1,100        1,558        866        1,352        1,881  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Depreciation, amortization and impairment losses

                       

Property, plant and equipment

     965        870        1,080        928        1,284        2,894        1,061        1,075  

Capitalized development expenses

     884        678        635        616        881        874        690        2,481  

Goodwill, IPR, brands and other intangible assets

     620        345        350        347        13,953        378        446        1,875  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     2,469        1,893        2,065        1,891        16,118        4,146        2,197        5,431  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2018      2017  

Year to date, SEK million

   Jan-Dec      Jan-Sep      Jan-Jun      Jan-Mar      Jan-Dec      Jan-Sep      Jan-Jun      Jan-Mar  

Additions

                       

Property, plant and equipment

     3,975        2,895        1,807        856        3,877        2,772        2,033        1,015  

Capitalized development expenses

     925        730        579        254        1,444        1,306        1,180        865  

IPR, brands and other intangible assets

     28        1        1        —          336        21        20        1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     4,928        3,626        2,387        1,110        5,657        4,099        3,233        1,881  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Depreciation, amortization and impairment losses

                       

Property, plant and equipment

     3,843        2,878        2,008        928        6,314        5,030        2,136        1,075  

Capitalized development expenses

     2,813        1,929        1,251        616        4,926        4,045        3,171        2,481  

Goodwill, IPR, brands and other intangible assets

     1,662        1,042        697        347        16,652        2,699        2,321        1,875  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     8,318        5,849        3,956        1,891        27,892        11,774        7,628        5,431  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

   
42    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Additional information


Other information    

 

     Oct-Dec     Jan-Dec  

SEK million

   2018     2017     2018     2017  

Number of shares and earnings per share

        

Number of shares, end of period (million)

     3,334       3,334     3,334       3,334  

Of which class A-shares (million)

     262       262       262       262  

Of which class B-shares (million)

     3,072       3,072       3,072       3,072  

Number of treasury shares, end of period (million)

     37       50       37       50  

Number of shares outstanding, basic, end of period (million)

     3,297       3,284       3,297       3,284  

Numbers of shares outstanding, diluted, end of period (million)

     3,323       3,324       3,323       3,324  

Average number of treasury shares (million)

     38       52       43       56  

Average number of shares outstanding, basic (million)

     3,296       3,283       3,291       3,277  

Average number of shares outstanding, diluted (million) 1)

     3,322       3,322       3,318       3,317  

Earnings (loss) per share, basic (SEK)

     -1.99       -5.63       -1.98       -9.94  

Earnings (loss) per share, diluted (SEK) 1)

     -1.99       -5.63       -1.98       -9.94  

Earnings (loss) per share (Non-IFRS), diluted (SEK) 2)

     -0.77       -1.09       0.27       -3.24  

Ratios

        

Days sales outstanding

     —         —         91       96  

Inventory turnover days

     58       59     70       66  

Payable days

     57       50       72       60  

Alternative Performance Measures (APMs)

        

Equity ratio (%)

     —         —         32.7     37.5

Return on equity (%)

     -28.8     -70.7     -7.1     -28.1

Return on capital employed (%)

     -5.6     -47.6     0.6     -20.6

Capital turnover (times)

     1.7       1.4       1.4       1.2  

Free cash flow

     2,993       10,134       2,968       5,109  

Cash conversion (%)

     -4,374.5     -278.9     601.2     -73.2

Exchange rates used in the consolidation

        

SEK/EUR- closing rate

     —         —         10.25       9.83  

SEK/USD- closing rate

     —         —         8.94       8.20  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other

        

Market area inventory, end of period

     16,505       14,480       16,505       14,480  

Export sales from Sweden

     38,974       24,166       109,969       87,463  

 

1)

Potential ordinary shares are not considered when their conversion to ordinary shares would increase earnings per share.    

2)

Excluding amortizations and write-downs of acquired intangibles and restructuring charges.    

Number of employees    

 

     2018      2017  

End of period

   Dec 31      Sep 30      Jun 30      Mar 31      Dec 31      Sep 30      Jun 30      Mar 31  

South East Asia, Oceania and India

     23,959        23,607        23,516        23,623        24,495        26,396        26,748        27,221  

North East Asia

     12,788        12,495        12,303        12,321        12,456        12,945        12,972        12,962  

North America

     9,727        9,459        9,510        9,798        10,009        10,665        11,073        11,253  

Europe and Latin America 1)

     44,621        44,695        45,743        47,528        49,231        50,832        53,173        54,194  

Middle East and Africa

     4,264        4,243        4,188        4,311        4,544        5,014        5,161        5,268  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     95,359        94,499        95,260        97,581        100,735        105,852        109,127        110,898  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

1)    Of which in Sweden

     12,502        12,679        13,431        13,763        13,864        14,195        14,483        14,712  

 

   
43    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Additional information


Items excluding restructuring charges

Restructuring charges by function    

 

     2018      2017  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1      Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Cost of sales

     -4,054        -204        -937        -743        -2,038        -817        -927        -1,460  

Research and development expenses

     -251        -214        -502        -326        147        -1,896        -344        -214  

Selling and administrative expenses

     -106        -134        -441        -103        -534        -106        -243        -69  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     -4,411        -552        -1,880        -1,172        -2,425        -2,819        -1,514        -1,743  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2018      2017  

Year to date, SEK million

   Jan-Dec      Jan-Sep      Jan-Jun      Jan-Mar      Jan-Dec      Jan-Sep      Jan-Jun      Jan-Mar  

Cost of sales

     -5,938        -1,884        -1,680        -743        -5,242        -3,204        -2,387        -1,460  

Research and development expenses

     -1,293        -1,042        -828        -326        -2,307        -2,454        -558        -214  

Selling and administrative expenses

     -784        -678        -544        -103        -952        -418        -312        -69  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     -8,015        -3,604        -3,052        -1,172        -8,501        -6,076        -3,257        -1,743  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Restructuring charges by segment

 

     2018      2017  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1      Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Networks

     -425        -128        -749        -479        -1,260        -1,409        -816        -1,343  

of which cost of sales

     -439        -63        -469        -415        -1,052        -430        -512        -1,153  

of which operating expenses

     14        -65        -280        -64        -208        -979        -304        -190  

Digital Services

     -3,545        -358        -882        -581        -686        -1,103        -454        -270  

of which cost of sales

     -3,369        -111        -303        -226        -609        -241        -242        -195  

of which operating expenses

     -176        -247        -579        -355        -77        -862        -212        -75  

Managed Services

     -70        -32        -123        -51        -376        -99        -115        -85  

of which cost of sales

     -69        -28        -103        -48        -326        -94        -113        -83  

of which operating expenses

     -1        -4        -20        -3        -50        -5        -2        -2  

Emerging Business and Other

     -371        -34        -126        -61        -103        -208        -129        -45  

of which cost of sales

     -177        -2        -62        -54        -51        -52        -60        -29  

of which operating expenses

     -194        -32        -64        -7        -52        -156        -69        -16  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     -4,411        -552        -1,880        -1,172        -2,425        -2,819        -1,514        -1,743  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2018      2017  

Year to date, SEK million

   Jan-Dec      Jan-Sep      Jan-Jun      Jan-Mar      Jan-Dec      Jan-Sep      Jan-Jun      Jan-Mar  

Networks

     -1,781        -1,356        -1,228        -479        -4,828        -3,568        -2,159        -1,343  

of which cost of sales

     -1,386        -947        -884        -415        -3,147        -2,095        -1,665        -1,153  

of which operating expenses

     -395        -409        -344        -64        -1,681        -1,473        -494        -190  

Digital Services

     -5,366        -1,821        -1,463        -581        -2,513        -1,827        -724        -270  

of which cost of sales

     -4,009        -640        -529        -226        -1,287        -678        -437        -195  

of which operating expenses

     -1,357        -1,181        -934        -355        -1,226        -1,149        -287        -75  

Managed Services

     -276        -206        -174        -51        -675        -299        -200        -85  

of which cost of sales

     -248        -179        -151        -48        -616        -290        -196        -83  

of which operating expenses

     -28        -27        -23        -3        -59        -9        -4        -2  

Emerging Business and Other

     -592        -221        -187        -61        -485        -382        -174        -45  

of which cost of sales

     -295        -118        -116        -54        -192        -141        -89        -29  

of which operating expenses

     -297        -103        -71        -7        -293        -241        -85        -16  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     -8,015        -3,604        -3,052        -1,172        -8,501        -6,076        -3,257        -1,743  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

   
44    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Items excluding restructuring charges


Gross income (loss) and gross margin excluding restructuring charges by segment    

 

     2018     2017  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Networks

     17,065       14,898       13,034       11,542       12,901       11,084       11,406       11,184  

Digital Services

     2,129       3,319       3,761       3,118       1,723       2,860       3,531       -2,129  

Managed Services

     850       833       912       539       -365       -266       132       -459  

Emerging Business and Other

     389       784       563       402       295       420       488       364  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     20,433       19,834       18,270       15,601       14,554       14,098       15,557       8,960  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2018     2017  

Isolated quarters, As percentage of net sales

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Networks

     41.0     41.5     40.2     40.4     34.8     34.8     36.0     35.3

Digital Services

     16.4     36.9     42.6     42.9     14.6     32.0     35.7     -26.3

Managed Services

     12.4     12.9     14.0     9.1     -5.3     -4.0     2.0     -7.3

Emerging Business and Other

     17.1     32.3     27.4     24.3     14.1     21.1     24.3     20.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     32.0     36.9     36.7     35.9     25.1     28.5     30.9     18.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2018     2017  

Year to date, SEK million

   Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar     Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar  

Networks

     56,539       39,474       24,576       11,542       46,575       33,674       22,590       11,184  

Digital Services

     12,327       10,198       6,879       3,118       5,985       4,262       1,402       -2,129  

Managed Services

     3,134       2,284       1,451       539       -958       -593       -327       -459  

Emerging Business and Other

     2,138       1,749       965       402       1,567       1,272       852       364  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     74,138       53,705       33,871       15,601       53,169       38,615       24,517       8,960  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2018     2017  

Year to date, As percentage of net sales

   Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar     Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar  

Networks

     40.8     40.7     40.3     40.4     35.2     35.4     35.7     35.3

Digital Services

     32.4     40.7     42.7     42.9     15.4     15.8     7.8     -26.3

Managed Services

     12.2     12.1     11.7     9.1     -3.6     -3.0     -2.5     -7.3

Emerging Business and Other

     25.4     28.5     26.0     24.3     19.9     22.0     22.5     20.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     35.2     36.5     36.3     35.9     25.9     26.2     25.0     18.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

   
45    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Items excluding restructuring charges


Operating income (loss) and operating margin excluding restructuring charges by segment    

 

     2018     2017  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Networks

     7,275       5,784       4,293       3,850       3,205       3,784       4,240       4,054  

Digital Services

     -3,542       -1,426       -1,492       -2,026       -11,585       -2,668       -1,783       -8,734  

Managed Services

     355       441       422       151       -898       -628       -143       -1,744  

Emerging Business and Other

     -1,529       -1,006       -1,178       -1,115       -7,575       -1,321       -1,337       -3,109  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     2,559       3,793       2,045       860       -16,853       -833       977       -9,533  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2018     2017  

Isolated quarters, As percentage of net sales

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Networks

     17.5     16.1     13.3     13.5     8.6     11.9     13.4     12.8

Digital Services

     -27.2     -15.9     -16.9     -27.9     -98.0     -29.9     -18.0     -107.8

Managed Services

     5.2     6.8     6.5     2.6     -13.0     -9.5     -2.1     -27.8

Emerging Business and Other

     -67.1     -41.5     -57.4     -67.5     -363.1     -66.2     -66.6     -174.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     4.0     7.0     4.1     2.0     -29.1     -1.7     1.9     -19.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2018     2017  

Year to date, SEK million

   Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar     Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar  

Networks

     21,202       13,927       8,143       3,850       15,283       12,078       8,294       4,054  

Digital Services

     -8,486       -4,944       -3,518       -2,026       -24,770       -13,185       -10,517       -8,734  

Managed Services

     1,369       1,014       573       151       -3,413       -2,515       -1,887       -1,744  

Emerging Business and Other

     -4,828       -3,299       -2,293       -1,115       -13,342       -5,767       -4,446       -3,109  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     9,257       6,698       2,905       860       -26,242       -9,389       -8,556       -9,533  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2018     2017  

Year to date, As percentage of net sales

   Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar     Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar  

Networks

     15.3     14.4     13.4     13.5     11.6     12.7     13.1     12.8

Digital Services

     -22.3     -19.7     -21.9     -27.9     -63.9     -49.0     -58.4     -107.8

Managed Services

     5.3     5.4     4.6     2.6     -12.9     -12.8     -14.6     -27.8

Emerging Business and Other

     -57.4     -53.8     -61.9     -67.5     -169.6     -99.7     -117.3     -174.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     4.4     4.6     3.1     2.0     -12.8     -6.4     -8.7     -19.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

   
46    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Items excluding restructuring charges


Alternative performance measures

 

This section includes a reconciliation of certain Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) to the most directly reconcilable line items in the financial statements. The presentation of APMs has limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for related financial measures prepared in accordance with IFRS.

APMs are presented to enhance an investor’s evaluation of ongoing operating results, to aid in forecasting future periods and to facilitate meaningful comparison of results between periods.

Management uses these APMs to, among other things, evaluate ongoing operations in relation to historical results, for internal planning and forecasting purposes and in the calculation of certain performance-based compensation.

The APMs presented in this report may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies.

For additional information, see Alternative Performance Measures in the Ericsson Annual Report 2017.

 

 

Sales growth adjusted for comparable units and currency

Sales growth adjusted for the impact of acquisitions and divestments as well as the effects of foreign currency fluctuations.

 

     2018     2017  

Isolated quarter, sequential change

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Reported net sales

     63,809       53,810       49,808       43,411       —          —          —          —    

Acquired/divested business

     —         —         —         —         —          —          —          —    

Net FX impact

     41       -752       -2,460       423       —          —          —          —    

Comparable net sales, excluding FX impact

     63,850       53,058       47,348       43,834       —          —          —          —    

Sales growth adjusted for comparable units and currency (%)

     19     7     9     -24     —          —          —          —    
     2018     2017  

Isolated quarter, year over year change

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Reported net sales

     63,809       53,810       49,808       43,411       —          —          —          —    

Acquired/divested business

     —         —         —         —         —          —          —          —    

Net FX impact

     -3,549       -3,748       -263       3,328       —          —          —          —    

Comparable net sales, excluding FX impact

     60,260       50,062       49,545       46,739       —          —          —          —    

Sales growth adjusted for comparable units and currency (%)

     4     1     -1     -2     —          —          —          —    
     2018     2017  

Year to date, year over year change

   Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar     Jan-Dec      Jan-Sep      Jan-Jun      Jan-Mar  

Reported net sales

     210,838       147,029       93,219       43,411       —          —          —          —    

Acquired/divested business

     —         —         —         —         —          —          —          —    

Net FX impact

     -4,232       -683       3,065       3,328       —          —          —          —    

Comparable net sales, excluding FX impact

     206,606       146,346       96,284       46,739       —          —          —          —    

Sales growth adjusted for comparable units and currency (%)

     1     -1     -2     -2     —          —          —          —    

 

   
47    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Alternative performance measures


Items excluding restructuring charges

Gross income, operating expenses, and operating income (loss) are presented excluding restructuring charges and, for certain measures, as a percentage of net sales.

 

     2018     2017  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Gross income

     16,379       19,630       17,333       14,858       12,516       13,281       14,629       7,501  

Net sales

     63,809       53,810       49,808       43,411       57,881       49,413       50,281       47,803  

Gross margin (%)

     25.7     36.5     34.8     34.2     21.6     26.9     29.1     15.7

Gross income

     16,379       19,630       17,333       14,858       12,516       13,281       14,629       7,501  

Restructuring charges included in cost of sales

     4,054       204       937       743       2,038       817       927       1,460  

Gross income, excluding restructuring charges

     20,433       19,834       18,270       15,601       14,554       14,098       15,556       8,961  

Net sales

     63,809       53,810       49,808       43,411       57,881       49,413       50,281       47,803  

Gross margin, excluding restructuring charges (%)

     32.0     36.9     36.7     35.9     25.1     28.5     30.9     18.7

Operating expenses

     -17,964       -16,422       -17,205       -15,257       -18,863       -17,354       -15,417       -18,929  

Restructuring charges included in R&D expenses

     251       214       502       326       -147       1,896       344       214  

Restructuring charges included in selling and administrative expenses

     106       134       441       103       534       106       243       69  

Operating expenses, excluding restructuring charges

     -17,607       -16,074       -16,262       -14,828       -18,476       -15,352       -14,830       -18,646  

Operating income (loss)

     -1,852       3,241       165       -312       -19,278       -3,652       -537       -11,276  

Net sales

     63,809       53,810       49,808       43,411       57,881       49,413       50,281       47,803  

Operating margin (%)

     -2.9     6.0     0.3     -0.7     -33.3     -7.4     -1.1     -23.6

Operating income (loss)

     -1,852       3,241       165       -312       -19,278       -3,652       -537       -11,276  

Total restructuring charges

     4,411       552       1,880       1,172       2,425       2,819       1,514       1,743  

Operating income (loss), excluding restructuring charges

     2,559       3,793       2,045       860       -16,853       -833       977       -9,533  

Net sales

     63,809       53,810       49,808       43,411       57,881       49,413       50,281       47,803  

Operating margin, excluding restructuring charges (%)

     4.0     7.0     4.1     2.0     -29.1     -1.7     1.9     -19.9

 

   
48    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Alternative performance measures


Items excluding restructuring charges (continued)

 

     2018     2017  

Year to date, SEK million

   Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar     Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar  

Gross income

     68,200       51,821       32,191       14,858       47,927       35,411       22,130       7,501  

Net sales

     210,838       147,029       93,219       43,411       205,378       147,497       98,084       47,803  

Gross margin (%)

     32.3     35.2     34.5     34.2     23.3     24.0     22.6     15.7

Gross income

     68,200       51,821       32,191       14,858       47,927       35,411       22,130       7,501  

Restructuring charges included in cost of sales

     5,938       1,884       1,680       743       5,242       3,204       2,387       1,460  

Gross income, excluding restructuring charges

     74,138       53,705       33,871       15,601       53,169       38,615       24,517       8,961  

Net sales

     210,838       147,029       93,219       43,411       205,378       147,497       98,084       47,803  

Gross margin, excluding restructuring charges (%)

     35.2     36.5     36.3     35.9     25.9     26.2     25.0     18.7

Operating expenses

     -66,848       -48,884       -32,462       -15,257       -70,563       -51,700       -34,346       -18,929  

Restructuring charges included in R&D expenses

     1,293       1,042       828       326       2,307       2,454       558       214  

Restructuring charges included in selling and administrative expenses

     784       678       544       103       952       418       312       69  

Operating expenses, excluding restructuring charges

     -64,771       -47,164       -31,090       -14,828       -67,304       -48,828       -33,476       -18,646  

Operating income (loss)

     1,242       3,094       -147       -312       -34,743       -15,465       -11,813       -11,276  

Net sales

     210,838       147,029       93,219       43,411       205,378       147,497       98,084       47,803  

Operating margin (%)

     0.6     2.1     -0.2     -0.7     -16.9     -10.5     -12.0     -23.6

Operating income (loss)

     1,242       3,094       -147       -312       -34,743       -15,465       -11,813       -11,276  

Total restructuring charges

     8,015       3,604       3,052       1,172       8,501       6,076       3,257       1,743  

Operating income (loss), excluding restructuring charges

     9,257       6,698       2,905       860       -26,242       -9,389       -8,556       -9,533  

Net sales

     210,838       147,029       93,219       43,411       205,378       147,497       98,084       47,803  

Operating margin, excluding restructuring charges (%)

     4.4     4.6     3.1     2.0     -12.8     -6.4     -8.7     -19.9

 

   
49    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Alternative performance measures


EBITA and EBITA margin

Earnings (loss) before interest, taxes, amortization and write-downs of acquired intangibles, also expressed as a percentage of net sales.

 

     2018     2017  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Net income (loss)

     -6,497       2,748       -1,802       -725       -18,493       -3,457       -457       -10,026  

Taxes

     3,930       -146       1,157       -128       -1,303       -516       -24       -1,682  

Financial income and expenses

     715       639       810       541       518       321       -56       432  

Amortization and write-downs of acquired intangibles

     621       344       350       347       13,953       379       445       1,875  

EBITA

     -1,231       3,585       515       35       -5,325       -3,273       -92       -9,401  

Net sales

     63,809       53,810       49,808       43,411       57,881       49,413       50,281       47,803  

EBITA margin (%)

     -1.9     6.7     1.0     0.1     -9.2     -6.6     -0.2     -19.7
     2018     2017  

Year to date, SEK million

   Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar     Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar  

Net income (loss)

     -6,276       221       -2,527       -725       -32,433       -13,940       -10,483       -10,026  

Taxes

     4,813       883       1,029       -128       -3,525       -2,222       -1,706       -1,682  

Financial income and expenses

     2,705       1,990       1,351       541       1,215       697       376       432  

Amortization and write-downs of acquired intangibles

     1,662       1,041       697       347       16,652       2,699       2,320       1,875  

EBITA

     2,904       4,135       550       35       -18,091       -12,766       -9,493       -9,401  

Net sales

     210,838       147,029       93,219       43,411       205,378       147,497       98,084       47,803  

EBITA margin (%)

     1.4     2.8     0.6     0.1     -8.8     -8.7     -9.7     -19.7

Cash conversion

Cash flow from operating activities divided by the sum of net income (loss) and adjustments to reconcile net income to cash, expressed as a percentage.

 

     2018     2017  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Net income (loss)

     -6,497       2,748       -1,802       -725       -18,493       -3,457       -457       -10,026  

Net income reconciled to cash

     -98       2,916       -259       -1,005       -4,001       -779       -142       -8,187  

Cash flow from operating activities

     4,287       2,040       1,442       1,573       11,159       -18       1       -1,541  

Cash conversion (%)

     -4374.5     70.0     -556.8     -156.5     -278.9     2.3     -0.7     18.8
     2018     2017  

Year to date, SEK million

   Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar     Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar  

Net income (loss)

     -6,276       221       -2,527       -725       -32,433       -13,940       -10,483       -10,026  

Net income reconciled to cash

     1,554       1,652       -1,264       -1,005       -13,109       -9,108       -8,329       -8,187  

Cash flow from operating activities

     9,342       5,055       3,015       1,573       9,601       -1,558       -1,540       -1,541  

Cash conversion (%)

     601.2     306.0     -238.5     -156.5     -73.2     17.1     18.5     18.8

Gross cash and net cash, end of period

Gross cash: Cash and cash equivalents plus interest-bearing securities (current and non-current).

Net cash: Cash and cash equivalents plus interest-bearing securities (current and non-current) less interest-bearing liabilities (which include: non-current borrowings and current borrowings).

 

     2018      2017  

SEK million

   Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1      Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Cash and cash equivalents

     38,389        36,058        37,049        36,697        35,884        26,210        21,446        32,954  

+ Interest-bearing securities, current

     6,625        6,591        8,304        5,453        6,713        6,526        10,754        13,548  

+ Interest-bearing securities, non-current

     23,982        23,014        21,501        27,104        25,105        22,405        22,122        19,124  

Gross cash, end of period

     68,996        65,663        66,854        69,254        67,702        55,141        54,322        65,626  

- Borrowings, current

     2,255        2,463        2,642        2,554        2,545        3,004        3,230        9,514  

- Borrowings, non-current

     30,870        31,187        31,131        31,134        30,500        28,039        27,100        27,823  

Net cash, end of period

     35,871        32,013        33,081        35,566        34,657        24,098        23,992        28,289  

 

   
50    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Alternative performance measures


Capital employed

Total assets less non-interest-bearing provisions and liabilities.

 

     2018      2017  

SEK million

   Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1      Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Total assets

     268,761        264,848        265,322        260,681        259,882        267,239        275,160        291,976  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-interest-bearing provisions and liabilities

                       

Provisions, non-current

     5,471        3,420        2,819        2,597        3,596        3,930        4,794        4,867  

Deferred tax liabilities

     670        1,274        1,332        1,325        901        1,736        1,838        1,888  

Other non-current liabilities

     4,346        4,456        4,549        2,792        2,776        2,563        2,602        2,699  

Provisions, current

     10,537        5,275        6,715        6,435        6,283        5,584        5,563        5,647  

Contract liabilities

     29,348        30,108        30,959        30,391        29,076        26,185        28,657        29,930  

Trade payables

     29,883        28,914        28,563        26,453        26,320        23,559        25,266        26,077  

Other current liabilities

     38,891        36,323        35,746        37,888        35,305        33,395        32,599        37,323  

Capital employed

     149,615        155,078        154,639        152,800        155,625        170,287        173,841        183,545  

Capital turnover

Annualized net sales divided by average capital employed.

 

     2018      2017  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1      Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Net sales

     63,809        53,810        49,808        43,411        57,881        49,413        50,281        47,803  

Annualized net sales

     255,236        215,240        199,232        173,644        231,524        197,652        201,124        191,212  

Average capital employed

                       

Capital employed at beginning of period

     155,078        154,639        152,800        155,625        170,287        173,841        183,545        185,667  

Capital employed at end of period

     149,615        155,078        154,639        152,800        155,625        170,287        173,841        183,545  

Average capital employed

     152,347        154,859        153,720        154,213        162,956        172,064        178,693        184,606  

Capital turnover (times)

     1.7        1.4        1.3        1.1        1.4        1.1        1.1        1.0  
     2018      2017  

Year to date, SEK million

   Jan-Dec      Jan-Sep      Jan-Jun      Jan-Mar      Jan-Dec      Jan-Sep      Jan-Jun      Jan-Mar  

Net sales

     210,838        147,029        93,219        43,411        205,378        147,497        98,084        47,803  

Annualized net sales

     210,838        196,039        186,438        173,644        205,378        196,663        196,168        191,212  

Average capital employed

                       

Capital employed at beginning of period

     155,625        155,625        155,625        155,625        185,667        185,667        185,667        185,667  

Capital employed at end of period

     149,615        155,078        154,639        152,800        155,625        170,287        173,841        183,545  

Average capital employed

     152,620        155,352        155,132        154,213        170,646        177,977        179,754        184,606  

Capital turnover (times)

     1.4        1.3        1.2        1.1        1.2        1.1        1.1        1.0  

 

   
51    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Alternative performance measures


Return on capital employed

The annualized total of operating income (loss) plus financial income as a percentage of average capital employed.

 

     2018     2017  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Operating income (loss)

     -1,852       3,241       165       -312       -19,278       -3,652       -537       -11,276  

Financial income

     -294       -225       275       -72       -124       -139       -27       -82  

Annualized operating income (loss) + financial income

     -8,584       12,064       1,760       -1,536       -77,608       -15,164       -2,256       -45,432  

Average capital employed

                

Capital employed at beginning of period

     155,078       154,639       152,800       155,625       170,287       173,841       183,545       185,667  

Capital employed at end of period

     149,615       155,078       154,639       152,800       155,625       170,287       173,841       183,545  

Average capital employed

     152,347       154,859       153,720       154,213       162,956       172,064       178,693       184,606  

Return on capital employed (%)

     -5.6     7.8     1.1     -1.0     -47.6     -8.8     -1.3     -24.6
     2018     2017  

Year to date, SEK million

   Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar     Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar  

Operating income (loss)

     1,242       3,094       -147       -312       -34,743       -15,465       -11,813       -11,276  

Financial income

     -316       -22       203       -72       -372       -248       -109       -82  

Annualized operating income (loss) + financial income

     926       4,096       112       -1,536       -35,115       -20,951       -23,844       -45,432  

Average capital employed

                

Capital employed at beginning of period

     155,625       155,625       155,625       155,625       185,667       185,667       185,667       185,667  

Capital employed at end of period

     149,615       155,078       154,639       152,800       155,625       170,287       173,841       183,545  

Average capital employed

     152,620       155,352       155,132       154,213       170,646       177,977       179,754       184,606  

Return on capital employed (%)

     0.6     2.6     0.1     -1.0     -20.6     -11.8     -13.3     -24.6

Equity ratio

Equity, expressed as a percentage of total assets.

 

     2018     2017  

SEK million

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Total equity

     87,770       95,953       93,560       93,466       97,571       112,710       119,887       122,434  

Total assets

     268,761       264,848       265,322       260,681       259,882       267,239       275,160       291,976  

Equity ratio (%)

     32.7     36.2     35.3     35.9     37.5     42.2     43.6     41.9

Return on equity

Annualized net income (loss) attributable to stockholders of the Parent Company as a percentage of average Stockholders’ equity.

 

     2018     2017  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Net income (loss) attributable to stockholders of the parent company

     -6,553       2,745       -1,885       -837       -18,476       -3,561       -471       -10,068  

Annualized

     -26,212       10,980       -7,540       -3,348       -73,904       -14,244       -1,884       -40,272  

Average stockholders’ equity

                

Stockholders’ equity, beginning of period

     95,087       92,689       92,703       96,935       112,095       119,177       121,698       134,582  

Stockholders’ equity, end of period

     86,978       95,087       92,689       92,703       96,935       112,095       119,177       121,698  

Average stockholders’ equity

     91,033       93,888       92,696       94,819       104,515       115,636       120,438       128,140  

Return on equity (%)

     -28.8     11.7     -8.1     -3.5     -70.7     -12.3     -1.6     -31.4
     2018     2017  

Year to date, SEK million

   Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar     Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-Mar  

Net income (loss) attributable to stockholders of the parent company

     -6,530       23       -2,722       -837       -32,576       -14,100       -10,539       -10,068  

Annualized

     -6,530       31       -5,444       -3,348       -32,576       -18,800       -21,078       -40,272  

Average stockholders’ equity

                

Stockholders’ equity, beginning of period

     96,935       96,935       96,935       96,935       134,582       134,582       134,582       134,582  

Stockholders’ equity, end of period

     86,978       95,087       92,689       92,703       96,935       112,095       119,177       121,698  

Average stockholders’ equity

     91,957       96,011       94,812       94,819       115,759       123,339       126,880       128,140  

Return on equity (%)

     -7.1     0.0     -5.7     -3.5     -28.1     -15.2     -16.6     -31.4

 

   
52    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Alternative performance measures


Earnings (loss) per share (non-IFRS)

Earnings (loss) per share, diluted, excluding amortizations and write-down of acquired intangible assets and excluding restructuring charges.

 

     2018      2017  

Isolated quarters, SEK

   Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1      Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Earnings (loss) per share, diluted

     -1.99        0.83        -0.58        -0.25        -5.63        -1.09        -0.14        -3.08  

Restructuring charges

     1.06        0.12        0.41        0.30        0.37        0.73        0.38        0.46  

Amortization and write-downs of acquired intangibles

     0.16        0.08        0.08        0.06        4.17        0.07        0.09        0.43  

Earnings (loss) per share (non-IFRS)

     -0.77        1.03        -0.09        0.11        -1.09        -0.29        0.33        -2.19  
     2018      2017  

Year to date, SEK

   Jan-Dec      Jan-Sep      Jan-Jun      Jan-Mar      Jan-Dec      Jan-Sep      Jan-Jun      Jan-Mar  

Earnings (loss) per share, diluted

     -1.98        0.01        -0.83        -0.25        -9.94        -4.31        -3.22        -3.08  

Restructuring charges

     1.88        0.82        0.71        0.30        1.93        1.57        0.84        0.46  

Amortization and write-downs of acquired intangibles

     0.37        0.21        0.14        0.06        4.77        0.59        0.52        0.43  

Earnings (loss) per share (non-IFRS)

     0.27        1.04        0.02        0.11        -3.24        -2.15        -1.86        -2.19  

Free cash flow and free cash flow excluding M&A

Free cash flow: Cash flow from operating activities less net capital expenditures and other investments.

Free cash flow excluding M&A: Cash flow from operating activities less net capital expenditures and other investments (excluding M&A).

 

     2018      2017  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1      Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Cash flow from operating activities

     4,287        2,040        1,442        1,573        11,159        -18        1        -1,541  

Net capital expenditures and other investments (excluding M&A)

                       

Investments in property, plant and equipment

     -1,080        -1,088        -951        -856        -1,105        -739        -1,018        -1,015  

Sales of property, plant and equipment

     57        102        52        123        898        12        37        69  

Product development

     -195        -151        -325        -254        -138        -126        -315        -865  

Other investing activities

     -96        -190        -398        161        -573        42        -42        110  

Free cash flow excluding M&A

     2,973        713        -180        747        10,241        -829        -1,337        -3,242  

Acquisitions/divestments of subsidiaries and other operations, net

     20        -425        -431        -449        -107        371        9        3  

Free cash flow

     2,993        288        -611        298        10,134        -458        -1,328        -3,239  
     2018      2017  

Year to date, SEK million

   Jan-Dec      Jan-Sep      Jan-Jun      Jan-Mar      Jan-Dec      Jan-Sep      Jan-Jun      Jan-Mar  

Cash flow from operating activities

     9,342        5,055        3,015        1,573        9,601        -1,558        -1,540        -1,541  

Net capital expenditures and other investments (excluding M&A)

                       

Investments in property, plant and equipment

     -3,975        -2,895        -1,807        -856        -3,877        -2,772        -2,033        -1,015  

Sales of property, plant and equipment

     334        277        175        123        1,016        118        106        69  

Product development

     -925        -730        -579        -254        -1,444        -1,306        -1,180        -865  

Other investing activities

     -523        -427        -237        161        -463        110        68        110  

Free cash flow excluding M&A

     4,253        1,280        567        747        4,833        -5,408        -4,579        -3,242  

Acquisitions/divestments of subsidiaries and other operations, net

     -1,285        -1,305        -880        -449        276        383        12        3  

Free cash flow

     2,968        -25        -313        298        5,109        -5,025        -4,567        -3,239  

 

   
53    Ericsson | Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Report 2018    Alternative performance measures
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