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Sony Ericsson reports fourth quarter and full year 2011 results

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Posted January 19, 2012

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, Jan 19, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- * Q4 loss reflects intense competition, price erosion and restructuring Charges

* 65% year-on-year increase in Android-based Xperia(TM) smartphone quarterly sales

* 28 million Xperia smartphones shipped to date

The consolidated financial summary for Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Ericsson) for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011 is as follows*:

        
                                        Q4 2010  Q3 2011  Q4 2011  FY 2010  FY 2011
                                        -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
        Number of units shipped
         (million)                         11.2      9.5      9.0     43.1     34.4
        Average selling price (Euro)        136      166      143      146      152
        Sales (Euro m.)                   1,528    1,586    1,288    6,294    5,212
        Gross margin (%)                    30%      27%      24%      29%      28%
        Operating income (Euro m.)           39       38     -227      159     -206
        Operating margin (%)                 3%       2%     -18%       3%      -4%
           Restructuring charges
            (Euro m.)                        -3        -      -93      -42      -93
        Operating income excl.
         restructuring charges
         (Euro m.)                           43       38     -134      202     -113
           Operating margin excl.
            restructuring charges (%)        3%       2%     -10%       3%      -2%
        Income before taxes (IBT)
         (Euro m.)                           35       31     -247      147     -243
           IBT excl. restructuring
            charges (Euro m.)                39       31     -154      189     -150
        Net income (Euro m.)                  8        0     -207       90     -247
        * All amounts are according to Swedish GAAP.
        
        


Bert Nordberg, President and CEO of Sony Ericsson commented: "Our fourth quarter results reflected intense competition, unfavorable macroeconomic conditions and the effects of a natural disaster in Thailand this quarter. We are aligning our business to drive profitability and to meet customer needs. In spite of these challenges, throughout 2011 we've shifted our business from feature phones to smartphones, and our Android-based smartphone sales in the quarter increased by 65% year-on-year. The Xperia portfolio, including the recently announced Xperia NXT series, will serve as a cornerstone of our smartphone lineup in 2012."

Units shipped during the quarter were 9 million, a 20% decrease year-on-year and a 5% decrease compared to last quarter. The year-on-year and sequential declines reflect a significantly lower number of feature phones shipped, partially offset by an increase in smartphone shipments. Sony Ericsson has shipped 28 million Xperia smartphones to date.

Average selling price (ASP) for the quarter was Euro 143, up 5% year-on-year but down 14% sequentially. The year-on-year increase is due to the shift to smartphones and geographic mix. The sequential decrease in ASP is attributed to geographic and product mix, including declining prices of products launched earlier in the year, and the absence of new products introduced in the fourth quarter.

Sales for the quarter were approximately Euro 1.3 billion, down 16% year-on-year and 19% quarter over quarter. The year-on-year decline reflects the decrease of feature phone sales which was only partially offset by an increase in smartphone sales. The sequential decline is due to geographic and product mix, resulting in lower sales of both smartphones and feature phones. Fourth quarter sales were negatively impacted by macroeconomic challenges in advanced economies contributing to weaker holiday sales, and certain component shortages from the flooding in Thailand in late October and early November 2011. Xperia smartphones accounted for approximately 80% of total sales in the fourth quarter.

The gross margin for the quarter was 24%, a decrease of 6 percentage points year-on-year and 3 percentage points from the previous quarter. The year-on-year and sequential decreases are attributed to product and geographic mix. Fourth quarter gross margin was also adversely affected by intense smartphone price competition which more than offset the benefit of royalty and other items.

Loss before taxes, excluding restructuring charges, was Euro 154 million for the quarter, compared to income of Euro 39 million for the same quarter last year and of Euro 31 million in the previous quarter. The year-on-year and sequential declines are due to lower gross margin and increased operational expenses, including higher development and selling expenses.

In December 2011, Sony Ericsson launched a restructuring program including global workforce reductions to reduce costs and drive competitiveness. Restructuring charges for the quarter are Euro 93 million and the program is estimated to be completed by the end of 2012.

The quarter ended in a net loss of Euro 207 million, compared to a net income of Euro 8 million in the same quarter of the previous year, and essentially a break even result in the previous quarter.

Cash flow from operating activities during the quarter was negative Euro 26 million. External borrowings were Euro 19 million during the quarter. Total borrowings were Euro 742 million at the end of the quarter. Total cash balances at December 31, 2011 were Euro 442 million.

Sony Ericsson estimates that its share of the global Android-based smartphone market was 10% in volume and 7% in value during the quarter and 10% in volume and 10% in value for the full year.

Sony Ericsson estimates that the global smartphone market for the full year 2011 increased by 60% in volume to 463 million units. Sony Ericsson estimates strong growth in the smartphone market in 2012.

In October 2011 Sony Corporation ("Sony") and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson ("Ericsson") announced that Sony will acquire Ericsson's stake in Sony Ericsson and that Sony Ericsson will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony. The transaction is expected to close in late January to February, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

The liquid identity is a registered trademark of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB. Xperia(TM) is a trademark of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB. Sony is a registered trademark of Sony Corporation. Ericsson is a registered trademark of Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson. Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved and subject to change without prior notice.

        
        EDITOR'S NOTES:
        Financial statements:
        Consolidated income statement
        Consolidated income statement - isolated quarters
        Consolidated balance sheet
        Consolidated statement of cash flows
        Consolidated statement of cash flows - isolated quarters
        Net sales by market area by quarter
        
        


About Sony Ericsson

Sony Ericsson is a 50:50 joint venture between Sony Corporation ("Sony") and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson ("Ericsson"). In October 2011 it was announced by Sony and Ericsson that Sony will acquire Ericsson's stake in the company and that Sony Ericsson will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony. The transaction is expected to close in late January to February, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. Over the years Sony Ericsson has brought together the best communication technologies with superior entertainment user experiences to create its Xperia(TM) line of the 'most entertaining smartphones' in the mobile handset industry. With its global corporate functions in London, Sony Ericsson has sales and marketing operations in all major regions of the world, as well as manufacturing in China, and product development sites in China, Japan, Sweden and Silicon Valley, California. For more information, please visit: www.sonyericsson.com/press .

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Sony Ericsson has identified certain important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements. For a detailed description of risk factors see Sony's and Ericsson's filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly each company's latest published Annual Report on Form 20-F.

        
        Sony Ericsson
        CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT*
                                            Oct-Dec                Jan-Dec
                                     ---------------------- -----------------------
        EUR million                    2010   2011  Change     2010    2011  Change
        --------------------------------------------------- -----------------------
        Net sales                     1 528  1 288    -16%    6 294   5 212    -17%
        Cost of sales                -1 069   -985     -8%   -4 440  -3 735    -16%
                                    ---------------         ----------------
        Gross profit                    459    303    -34%    1 853   1 477    -20%
        Gross margin %                  30%    24%    -6pp      29%     28%    -1pp
        Research and development
         expenses                      -191   -268     40%     -746    -815      9%
        Selling and administrative
         expenses                      -236   -270     14%     -986    -900     -9%
                                    ---------------         ----------------
        Operating expenses**           -427   -538     26%   -1 732  -1 715     -1%
        Other operating income, net       7      8     14%       38      32    -16%
                                    ---------------         ----------------
        Operating income                 39   -227   -682%      159    -206   -230%
        Operating margin %               3%   -18%   -21pp       3%     -4%    -7pp
        Financial income                  2      4    100%       18      19      6%
        Financial expenses               -6    -24    300%      -30     -56     87%
                                    ---------------         ----------------
        Income before taxes              35   -247   -806%      147    -243   -265%
        Taxes                           -27     46   -267%      -48      19   -140%
        Minority interest                 0     -6       -       -9     -23    156%
                                    ---------------         ----------------
        Net income                        8   -207  -2688%       90    -247   -374%
        -------------------------------------------         ----------------
        Number of units shipped
         (million)                     11,2    9,0    -20%     43,1    34,4    -20%
        ASP (EUR)                       136    143      5%      146     152      4%
        -------------------------------------------         ----------------
                                         Oct-Dec                 Jan-Dec
                                     --------------         ----------------
        Restructuring charges          2010   2011             2010    2011
        -------------------------------------------         ----------------
          Cost of sales                   2      0              -32       0
          Research and development
           expenses                       0    -55                7     -55
          Selling and administrative
           expenses                      -5    -38              -17     -38
        -------------------------------------------         ----------------
        Total                            -3    -93              -42     -93
        *  All amounts are according to Swedish GAAP
        ** Operating expenses in 2010 have been restated to reflect certain
           organizational changes.
        Sony Ericsson
        CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT - ISOLATED QUARTERS*
                                    2010                           2011
                     -------------------------------  -----------------------------
        EUR million      Q1      Q2      Q3      Q4       Q1      Q2      Q3     Q4
        --------------------------------------------  -----------------------------
        Net sales    1 ,405  1 ,757  1 ,603  1 ,528   1, 145  1, 193  1, 586  1,288
        Cost of
         sales         -975  -1,266  -1,130  -1,069     -763    -828  -1,159   -985
        --------------------------------------------  -----------------------------
        Gross
         profit         429     492     473     459      382     365     427    303
        Gross
         margin %       31%     28%     30%     30%      33%     31%     27%    24%
        Research
         and
         development
         expenses      -185    -191    -179    -191     -173    -184    -190   -268
        Selling and
         admini-
         strative
         expenses      -238    -272    -241    -236     -199    -224    -207   -270
        --------------------------------------------  -----------------------------
        Operating
         expenses**    -423    -463    -420    -427     -372    -408    -397   -538
        Other
         operating
         income, net     14       7      10       7       10       6       8      8
        --------------------------------------------  -----------------------------
        Operating
         income          20      36      63      39       19     -37      38   -227
        Operating
         margin %        1%      2%      4%      3%       2%     -3%      2%   -18%
        Financial
         income           7       2       7       2        3       5       7      4
        Financial
         expenses        -9      -7      -8      -6       -8     -10     -14    -24
        --------------------------------------------  -----------------------------
        Income before
         taxes           18      31      62      35       15     -42      31   -247
        Taxes             6     -16     -12     -27       -5      -3     -17     46
        Minority
         interest        -3      -4      -2       0        1      -5     -14     -6
        --------------------------------------------  -----------------------------
        Net income       21      12      49       8       11     -50       0   -207
        --------------------------------------------  -----------------------------
        Number of
         units
         shipped
         (million)     10.5    11.0    10.4    11.2      8.1     7.6     9.5    9.0
        ASP (EUR)       134     160     154     136      141     156     166    143
        --------------------------------------------  -----------------------------
        EUR million                 2010                           2011
        --------------------------------------------  -----------------------------
        Restructuring
        charges          Q1      Q2      Q3      Q4       Q1      Q2      Q3     Q4
        --------------------------------------------  -----------------------------
        Cost of
         sales            2     -33      -3       2        -       -       -      0
        Research and
         development
         expenses        -2      -1       5       0        -       -       -    -55
        Selling and
         administra-
         tive expenses   -3       2      -6      -5        -       -       -    -38
        --------------------------------------------  -----------------------------
        Total            -3     -32      -4      -3        -       -       -    -93
        *  All amounts are according to Swedish GAAP.
        ** Operating expenses in 2010 have been restated to reflect certain
           organizational changes.
        Sony Ericsson
        CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET*
                                                  Dec 31   Jun 30   Sep 30   Dec 31
        EUR million                                 2010     2011     2011     2011
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        ASSETS
        Total fixed and financial assets             803      819      890    1,122
        Current assets
        Inventories                                  460      570      656      447
        Accounts receivable                          836      872    1,090      692
        Other assets                                 295      330      408      380
        Other short-term cash investments            276      329      301      270
        Cash and bank                                329      188      165      172
                                                 -------- -------- -------- -------
        Total current assets                       2,196   2, 289    2,620    1,961
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total assets                               2,999   3 ,108    3,510    3,083
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
        Shareholders' equity                         532      451      507      309
        Minority interest                             42       43       60       58
                                                 -------- -------- -------- -------
        Total equity                                 574      494      567      367
        Borrowing, Non Current                       100        0        0        0
        Other long-term liabilities                   32       31       40       44
                                                 -------- -------- -------- -------
        Total long-term liabilities                  132       31       40       44
        Accounts payable                             769      716    1 050      676
        Borrowing, Current                           130      769      718      742
        Other current liabilities                 1, 394    1,098    1,135    1,254
                                                 -------- -------- -------- -------
        Total current liabilities                 2 ,293    2,583    2,903    2,672
                                                 -------- -------- -------- -------
        Total shareholders' equity and
         liabilities                              2, 999    3,108   3, 510    3,083
                                                 -------- -------- -------- -------
        Net cash**                                   375     -252     -252     -300
        *  All amounts are according to Swedish GAAP.
        ** Net cash is defined as cash and bank deposit plus short-term cash
           investments less interest-bearing liabilities.
        Sony Ericsson
        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS*
                                                      Oct-Dec       Jan-Dec
                                                   ------------  -------------
        EUR million                                 2010  2011    2010   2011
        -------------------------------------------------------  -------------
        OPERATING
        Net income                                     8  -207      90   -247
        Adjustments to reconcile net income to
        cash                                         -50   112    -156    -27
                                                   ------------  -------------
                                                     -42   -95     -65   -274
        Changes in operating net assets              -86    69    -183   -276
                                                   ------------  -------------
        Cash flow from operating activities         -128   -26    -248   -550
        INVESTING
        Investing activities                         -18   -19      -4   -113
                                                   ------------  -------------
        Cash flow from investing activities          -18   -19      -4   -113
        FINANCING
        Financing activities                       - 178    11    - 60    496
                                                   ------------  -------------
        Cash flow from financing activities         -178    11     -60    496
        Net change in cash                          -324   -34    -312   -167
        Cash, beginning of period                    921   466     878    605
        Translation difference in Cash                 7    10      38      4
                                                   ------------  -------------
        Cash, end of period                          605   442     605    442
        -------------------------------------------------------  -------------
        * All amounts are according to Swedish GAAP.
        Sony Ericsson
        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS - ISOLATED QUARTERS*
                                           2010                        2011
                                --------------------------   ----------------------
        EUR million              Q1     Q2      Q3      Q4      Q1    Q2   Q3    Q4
        --------------------------------------------------   ----------------------
        OPERATING
        Net income               21     12      49       8      11   -50    0  -207
        Adjustments to
         reconcile net income
         to cash                -44      4     -66     -50    -137   -29   27   112
                                --------------------------   ----------------------
                                -23     16     -17     -42    -127   -79   27   -95
        Changes in operating
         net assets             -72     13     -38     -86    -226  -145   26    69
                                --------------------------   ----------------------
        Cash flow from
         operating activities   -94     29     -54    -128    -353  -224   53   -26
        INVESTING
        Investing activities     27    -15       2     -18     -14   -21  -58   -19
                                --------------------------   ----------------------
        Cash flow from
         investing activities    27    -15       2     -18     -14   -21  -58   -19
        FINANCING
        Financing activities    150      0     -32    -178     375   165  -56    11
                                --------------------------   ----------------------
        Cash flow from
         financing activities   150      0     -32    -178     375   165  -56    11
        Net change in cash       83     15     -85    -324       8   -80  -61   -34
        Cash, beginning of
         period                 878    980   1 039     921     605   599  516   466
        Translation difference
         in Cash                 19     45     -33       7     -14    -3   11    10
                                --------------------------   ----------------------
        Cash, end of period     980  1,039     921     605     599   516  466   442
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        * All amounts are according to Swedish GAAP.
        Sony Ericsson
        NET SALES BY MARKET AREA BY QUARTER*
        EUR million                      2010                        2011
                             --------------------------  --------------------------
        Isolated quarters
                               Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4      Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Europe, Middle East
         & Africa **          711    876    837    795     485    435    480    571
        Americas              201    223    222    205     151    193    121    199
        Asia                  493    659    544    528     509    565    985    518
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total               1,405  1,757  1,603  1,528   1,145  1,193  1,586  1,288
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        ** of which
         Western Europe       525    668    632    569     307    323    313    355
                                         2010                        2011
                             --------------------------  --------------------------
        Sequential
         change (%)            Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4      Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Europe, Middle East
         & Africa **         -26%    23%    -4%    -5%    -39%   -10%    10%    19%
        Americas              -9%    11%     0%    -8%    -26%    28%   -37%    64%
        Asia                 -12%    34%   -17%    -3%     -4%    11%    74%   -47%
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total                -20%    25%    -9%    -5%    -25%     4%    33%   -19%
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        ** of which
         Western Europe      -23%    27%    -5%   -10%    -46%     5%    -3%    13%
                                         2010                        2011
                             --------------------------  --------------------------
        Year over year
         change (%)            Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4      Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Europe, Middle East
         & Africa **         -27%    -6%    -4%   -18%    -32%   -50%   -43%   -28%
        Americas               1%    14%    -4%    -8%    -25%   -13%   -45%    -3%
        Asia                 -12%    17%     6%    -6%      3%   -14%    81%    -2%
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total                -19%     4%    -1%   -13%    -19%   -32%    -1%   -16%
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        ** of which
         Western Europe      -27%    -1%    -1%   -16%    -42%   -52%   -50%   -38%
                                         2010                        2011
                             --------------------------  --------------------------
        Year to date         1003   1006   1009   1012    1103   1106   1109   1112
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Europe, Middle East
         & Africa **          711  1,587  2,424  3,219     485    919  1,399  1,970
        Americas              201    424    646    851     151    345    466    664
        Asia                  493  1,152  1,695  2,224     509  1,075  2,060  2,577
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total               1,405  3,162  4,765  6,294   1,145  2,339  3 925  5,211
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        ** of which Western
         Europe               525  1,193  1,825  2,393     307    630    944  1,298
                                         2010                        2011
                             --------------------------  --------------------------
        Year over year
         change              1003   1006   1009   1012    1103   1106   1109   1112
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Europe, Middle East
         & Africa **         -27%   -17%   -13%   -14%    -32%   -42%   -42%   -39%
        Americas               1%     7%     3%     0%    -25%   -19%   -28%   -22%
        Asia                 -12%     3%     4%     1%      3%    -7%    22%    16%
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total                -19%    -8%    -5%    -7%    -19%   -26%   -18%   -17%
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        ** of which
         Western Europe      -27%   -15%   -10%   -12%    -42%   -47%   -48%   -46%
        *All amounts are according to Swedish GAAP.
        
        


The full report (including tables) can be downloaded from the following link:

Fourth quarter and full year report 2011: http://hugin.info/1061/R/1578626/492442.pdf

This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that:

(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and

(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: Ericsson via Thomson Reuters ONE

[HUG#1578626]

        
        CONTACTS:
        
        Ericsson investor relations
        Stefan Jelvin
        (Stockholm)
        +46 10 714 2039
        
        Sony investor relations
        Yoshinori Hashitani
        (Tokyo)
        +81 3 6748 2111
        Yas Hasegawa
        (London)
        +44 20 7426 8696
        
        Press / Media
        Sony Ericsson global communications and PR
        Cathy Davies
        (London)
        +44 208 762 5879
        Holly Rossetti
        (London)
        + 44 208 762 5851
        Gustaf Brusewitz
        (London)
        +44 208 762 5805