Ericsson Q1 Results Out, Shares Up: Earnings Before Interest And Tax Reaches $416 Million

Posted on Apr 25 2012 - 8:50am by Editorial Staff

Ericsson has just announced its first quarter 2012 results. The company earnings before interest and tax reached 2.8 billion crowns ($416 million) excluding loss-making joint ventures but including restructuring charges. The company sees net income SEK 8.8 b. up 116% YoY, impacted by gain from Sony Ericsson divestment of SEK 7.7 b and loss in ST-Ericsson. Operating margin of 5.5% excluding gain from Sony Ericsson divestment and loss in ST-Ericsson.

Sales decreased -4% YoY, impacted by an expected major decline in CDMA sales as well as lower operator network spending in regions with macro-economic or political uncertainty. Global Services and consolidation of Telcordia contributed positively. EPS diluted SEK 2.76 (1.27), driven by gain from Sony Ericsson divestment. EPS Non-IFRS and excluding Sony Ericsson gain SEK 0.77 (1.61).

“Sales of high-performance mobile broadband developed well in North America, Japan and Korea, while other regions such as Europe including Russia, parts of Middle East and India were weaker,” says Hans Vestberg, President and CEO of Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC). “CDMA continued its expected decline in the transition to LTE. Our services business showed continued momentum where especially Professional Services developed favorably. Support Solutions (former Multimedia) increased organic sales.

“Gross margins … surprised positively well ahead of consensus, so the nice beat on the gross margin is the key take away here I think as people were fearing that the low trend set in Q4 last year would continue,” said Alexandre Peterc, analyst at brokerage Exane BNP Paribas. Peterc at Exane BNP Paribas said sales were light, though this had been partly expected due to a decline in older, CDMA-standard equipment in the United States. The company beat expectations for earnings and margins in the first quarter.

About the Author

Editorial Staff at I2Mag is a team of subject experts.