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Published: 2021-07-16 13:38:53 ET
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6-K 1 d171371d6k.htm 6-K 6-K
Table of Contents

 

 

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

July 16, 2021

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, July 16, 2021 regarding “Second quarter report 2021”.

 

 

 


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (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: July 16, 2021


Table of Contents

LOGO

Second quarter report 2021    

Stockholm, July 16, 2021

Second quarter highlights

 

   

Group organic sales grew by 8% YoY, despite a sales decline in Mainland China of SEK -2.5 b. YoY and an IPR revenue decline of SEK -0.5 b. YoY. Reported sales were SEK 54.9 (55.6) b.

 

   

Gross margin excl. restructuring charges improved to 43.4% (38.2%) driven mainly by operational leverage in Networks. Q2 2020 was negatively impacted by inventory write-down and initial 5G deployments in Mainland China. Reported gross margin was 43.4% (37.6%).

 

   

EBIT excluding restructuring charges improved to SEK 5.8 b. (10.6%) from SEK 4.5 b. (8.2%) YoY driven by Networks. Reported EBIT was SEK 5.8 (3.9) b.

 

   

Organic sales in Networks grew by 11% YoY, driven by market share gains. Sales in Mainland China were SEK -2.0 b. lower YoY. Reported EBIT margin was 21.7% (13.2%).

 

   

Organic sales in Digital Services were stable YoY, despite a sales decline in Mainland China of SEK -0.5 b. YoY. Reported EBIT (loss) was SEK -1.6 (-0.7) b., impacted by a write-down of SEK -0.3 b. for pre-commercial product investments for the Chinese market.

 

   

Reported net income was SEK 3.9 (2.6) b.

 

   

Free cash flow before M&A was SEK 4.1 (3.2) b. supported by higher incoming IPR payments. Net cash per June 30, 2021 was SEK 43.7 (37.5) b.

 

   

The RAN market outlook for 2021 has been updated to 10% growth YoY, compared with previously 3% growth. Source: Dell’Oro.

 

SEK b.

   Q2
2021
    Q2
2020
    YoY
change
    Q1
2021
    QoQ
change
    Jan-Jun
2021
    Jan-Jun
2020
    YoY
change
 

Netsales

     54.9       55.6       -1     49.8       10     104.7       105.3       -1

Sales growth adj. for comparable units and currency ¹

     —         —         8           —         —         —         9

Gross margin ¹

     43.4     37.6     —         42.8     —         43.1     38.6     —    

EBIT

     5.8       3.9       51     5.3       11     11.1       8.2       36

EBIT margin ¹

     10.6     6.9     —         10.6     —         10.6     7.7     —    

Net income

     3.9       2.6       51     3.2       23     7.1       4.9       45

EPS diluted, SEK

     1.10       0.74       49     0.96       15     2.06       1.39       48

Measures excl. restructuring charges¹

                

Gross margin excluding restructuring charges

     43.4     38.2     —         42.9     —         43.2     39.3     —    

EBIT excluding restructuring charges

     5.8       4.5       29     5.3       9     11.2       9.1       22

EBIT margin excluding restructuring charges

     10.6     8.2     —         10.7     —         10.7     8.7     —    

Free cash flow before M &A

     4.1       3.2       26     1.6       161     5.6       5.6       1

Net cash, end of period

     43.7       37.5       16     43.0       2     43.7       37.5       16

 

1 

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

 

   
1    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021                        


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CEO comments

 

Our strong business performance continued, with an organic sales1 growth of 8% in the quarter. This was despite a sales decline of SEK -2.5 b. YoY in Mainland China. Networks continued to grow market shares in the quarter with some significant wins. Group gross margin2 increased to 43.4% (38.2%). We are well positioned to take advantage of continued market momentum with our competitive 5G product portfolio and cost structure. However, it is prudent to forecast a materially lower market share in Mainland China for Networks and Digital Services as the earlier decision to exclude Chinese vendors from the Swedish 5G networks might influence market share awards.

Networks sales1 grew organically by 11%, despite lower volumes from delayed 5G deployment in Mainland China. This growth reflects the continued high activity levels in most markets. The North East Asia market outside Mainland China saw strong growth in 5G volumes. Gross margin2 improved to 47.9% (40.5%). Through proactive and continuous measures for supply chain resilience we have accelerated production to meet customer demand, and we are well prepared for any challenges in the future. Our increased R&D investments have accelerated product development. We strengthened our Cloud RAN portfolio further with 5G mid-band and massive MIMO support for increased network performance. Cloud RAN will enable service providers to seamlessly evolve their networks towards cloud-native technologies and open network architectures, meeting demand for more deployment flexibility. We continue on the successful path of 5G wins in North America. We have signed another 5-year contract, this one amounting to USD 8.3 b. (SEK 71 b.), with a leading customer. This is the single largest deal in the history of Ericsson.

In Digital Services the strong momentum in 5G Core continued and we are ramping up R&D investments in the cloud native 5G portfolio. Organic sales were stable in the quarter. However, excluding the reduced sales in Mainland China, sales1 grew by 5%. Gross margin2 decreased to 37.9% (43.6%) YoY, mainly due to a write-down of SEK -0.3 b. related to pre-commercial product investments for the Chinese market. A material loss of market share in Mainland China, which contributed 5.4% of Digital Services sales in 2020, would cause a delay in reaching the EBIT margin target for 2022. A significantly reduced volume would lead to a limited loss in 2022 in Digital Services. Improvements are skewed towards the year end 2022, as we expect to see a gradual increase in Core revenues. Based on our strong portfolio, we expect to exceed our original EBIT margin target of 4-7%, as sales in other markets over time will compensate for the reduction in Mainland China. We see strong demand for our OSS, BSS and 5G core offerings, positioning us well for longer-term profitability.

The new IPR agreement with Samsung reaffirms the significant value of our patent portfolio and with this agreement in place we are well positioned to conclude pending and future

patent license renewals. One additional agreement was signed in July. There is currently high activity in renewal negotiations. As new contracts are concluded, revenues will include retroactive payments for the unlicensed period prior to signing.

Whilst many markets are returning to normal following the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to see rising numbers of cases in South East Asia, which may result in a slower recovery for impacted countries.

We continue to invest in compliance to fully embed our commitments to ethical business practice, in all areas across the organization. Ensuring all decisions are taken with integrity is a driving force in our culture-change journey.

The opportunity from enterprise for 5G provides an exciting growth path for Ericsson. Building on the strong foundations of our core business we will continue to take a stepwise approach to investing in growth in Dedicated Networks, IoT and the wireless portfolio acquired with Cradlepoint. We foresee 20-30% annual market growth in enterprise, with opportunities in automation, remote operations and safety management across whole industry sectors such as smart manufacturing, ports and airports, energy, mining, health and agriculture. Enterprise use cases in 5G – and the continuing growth in 4G – will drive the digital transformation of business globally combining the high performance, low latency and security benefits of wireless over traditional fixed networks. We are confident that wireless will be the first-choice connection for global business in the 5G era.

Stay healthy and well.

Börje Ekholm

President and CEO

 

1

Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency

 

2

Excluding restructuring charges

 

 

   
2    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    CEO Comments


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Financial highlights

Net sales development

 

SEK b.

   Q2
2021
     Q2
2020
     YoY
change
    YoY
adj.¹
    Q1
2021
     Jan-Jun
2021
     Jan-Jun
2020
     YoY
change
    YoY
adj.¹
 

Net works

     39.9        39.8        0     11     36.3        76.1        75.0        2     13

Digital Services

     7.9        8.6        -8     0     6.9        14.8        15.9        -7     1

M managed Services

     5.1        5.6        -8     -2     4.9        10.0        11.3        -12     -5

Emerging Business and Other

     2.1        1.6        29     13     1.7        3.8        3.2        20     11

Total

     54.9        55.6        -1     8     49.8        104.7        105.3        -1     9

 

1 

Sales growth adjusted for comparable units and currency. Non-IFRS financial measures are reconciled at the end of this report to the most directly reconcilable line items in the financial statements.

 

Group reported sales were SEK 54.9 b. Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency grew by 8% YoY, with double-digit currency adjusted growth in three of the five market areas. Sales in North East Asia remained stable despite a sales decline in Mainland China of SEK -2.5 b. YoY in Networks and Digital Services. Sales in the Middle East and Africa declined YoY.

IPR licensing revenues decreased to SEK 2.3 (2.8) b. Revenues from the new contract with Samsung, attributable to both Q1 and Q2, were offset by expired contracts under renewal negotiations, lower volumes with one licensee and a weaker USD.

Networks sales adjusted for comparable units and currency increased by 11% YoY driven primarily by growth in market areas Europe and Latin America, South East Asia, India and Oceania as well as in North East Asia except Mainland China. Sales in Mainland China were SEK -2.0 b. lower YoY. Excluding Mainland China, sales in Networks grew by 17%, adjusted for comparable units and currency. Networks accounted for 73% (72%) of total sales.

 

Digital Services sales adjusted for comparable units and currency were stable YoY, with double-digit growth in North America and in Europe and Latin America. Excluding Mainland China, where revenues were SEK -0.5 b. lower YoY, sales in Digital Services grew by 5% adjusted for comparable units and currency. Digital Services share of total sales was 14% (15%).

Managed Services sales adjusted for comparable units and currency decreased by -2% YoY, mainly due to reduced variable sales in a large contract in North America, post the merger between two large operators. Managed Services share of total sales was 9% (10%).

Emerging Business and Other sales adjusted for comparable units and currency increased by 13%, driven by growth in Emerging Business. Emerging Business and Other share of total sales was 4% (3%).

 

 

Income and margin development

 

SEK b.

   Q2
2021
    Q2
2020
    YoY
change
    Q1
2021
    QoQ
change
    Jan-Jun
2021
    Jan-Jun
2020
    YoY
change
 

Netsales

     54.9       55.6       -1     49.8       10     104.7       105.3       -1

Gross income

     23.9       20.9       14     21.3       12     45.2       40.7       11

Gross margin

     43.4     37.6     —         42.8     —         43.1     38.6     —    

Research and development (R&D) expenses

     -10.5       -10.0       —         -9.6       —         -20.1       -19.2       —    

Selling and administrative expenses

     -7.0       -7.1       —         -6.2       —         -13.2       -13.3       —    

Impairment losses on trade receivables

     0.1       0.0       138     -0.2       —         -0.1       -0.1       —    

Other operating income and expenses

     -0.6       0.1       —         0.0       —         -0.6       0.2       —    

EBIT

     5.8       3.9       51     5.3       11     11.1       8.2       36

of which Networks

     8.6       5.3       65     7.2       19     15.9       11.1       43

of which Digital Services

     -1.6       -0.7       —         -1.5       —         -3.1       -2.1       —    

of which Managed Services

     0.4       0.3       58     0.333     —         0.7       0.79     —    

of which Emerging Business &Other

     -1.7       -1.0-       —         -0.8-       —         -2.4       -1.5-       —    

EBIT margin

     10.6     6.9     —         10.6     —         10.6     7.7     —    

Financial income and expenses, net

     -0.5       0.3       —         -0.5       —         -1.0       -0.6       —    

Income tax

     -1.5       -1.6       —         -1.6       —         -3.0       -2.7       —    

Net income

     3.9       2.6       51     3.2       23     7.1       4.9       45

Restructuring charges

     0.0       -0.7       —         -0.1       —         -0.1       -1.0       —    

Measuresc excl. restructuring charges and other items affecting com parability¹

                

Grossmarg in excluding restructuring charges

     43.4     38.2     —         42.9     —         43.2     39.3     —    

EBIT margin excluding restructuring charges

     10.6     8.2     —         10.7     —         10.7     8.7     —    

EBITA excluding restructuring charges

     6.1       4.8       28     5.6       9     11.7       9.7       21

EBITA margin excluding restructuring charges

     11.1     8.6     —         11.3     —         11.2     9.2     —    

 

1

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

 

Gross margin

 

Reported gross margin was 43.4% (37.6%). Gross margin excluding restructuring charges increased to 43.4% (38.2%) driven mainly by improvements in Networks. Networks gross margin in the quarter was

   supported by strong operational leverage, while in Q2 2020 Networks gross margin was negatively impacted by both a write-down of pre-commercial product inventory and initial 5G deployments in Mainland China. Managed Services gross margin improved mainly as an effect of efficiency gains, while Digital Services margin was negatively impacted by a write-down of SEK -0.3 b. for pre-commercial product investments for the Chinese market.

 

   

3

    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021

   Financial highlights


Table of Contents

Sequentially, reported gross margin increased to 43.4% from 42.8%, mainly driven by continued strong operational leverage in Networks and a positive impact of two quarters of IPR revenues related to the patent agreement signed in the quarter.

Research and development (R&D) expenses

R&D expenses amounted to SEK -10.5 (-10.0) b. R&D expenses increased in Digital Services due to increased investments in the cloud-native 5G portfolio and in Emerging Business and Other as a result of the acquisition of Cradlepoint.

Selling and administrative (SG&A) expenses

SG&A expenses were SEK -7.0 (-7.1) b. Increased investments in compliance and security and the consolidation of Cradlepoint were offset by lower discretionary spending in other areas.

Revaluation of customer financing was SEK 0.1 (0.0) b.

Impairment losses on trade receivables

Impairment losses on trade receivables were SEK 0.1 (0.0) b.

Other operating income and expenses

Other operating income and expenses was SEK -0.6 (0.1) b., negatively impacted by SEK -0.8 b. as a result of the Nokia settlement related to the 2019 resolution with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Share in earnings of JVs and associated companies was SEK -0.1 (-0.2) b.

Restructuring charges

Restructuring charges amounted to SEK 0.0 (-0.7) b.

EBIT

Reported EBIT improved to SEK 5.8 (3.9) b. YoY. EBIT excluding restructuring charges was SEK 5.8 (4.5) b. corresponding to an EBIT margin excluding restructuring charges of 10.6% (8.2%). The increase was driven mainly by improved gross margin in Networks.

Sequentially, reported EBIT increased to SEK 5.8 b. from SEK 5.3 b. driven by increased revenues and gross income primarily in Networks.

EBITA

EBITA improved to SEK 6.1 (4.1) b. YoY. EBITA excluding restructuring charges was SEK 6.1 (4.8) b. corresponding to an EBITA margin excluding restructuring charges of 11.1% (8.6%).

Financial income and expenses, net

Reported financial net was SEK -0.5 (0.3) b. The weakened USD to SEK resulted in a positive currency hedge effect. The currency hedge effect was SEK 0.1 b. in the quarter compared with SEK 0.6 b. in Q2 2020.

Sequentially, financial net was stable at SEK -0.5 b. with the currency hedge effect up from SEK -0.4 b. in the first quarter 2021. The USD weakened against the SEK between March 31, 2021 (SEK/USD rate 8.71) and June 30, 2021 (SEK/USD rate 8.51).

Taxes

Taxes were SEK -1.5 (-1.6) b. The effective tax rate in Q2 was 27% compared with 33% in Q1 2021, mainly due to the market mix in the quarter.

Net income

Net income improved to SEK 3.9 (2.6) b. and EPS diluted improved to SEK 1.10 (0.74) YoY driven by stronger EBIT.

Employees

The number of employees on June 30, 2021, was 101,624 compared with 101,113 on March 31, 2021. The increase derives mainly from research and development.

Financial highlights, year to date (Jan-June) development

Reported sales decreased by -1%. Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency increased by 9% driven primarily by sales in market areas North America and Europe and Latin America. Networks sales adjusted for comparable units and currency increased by 13%, Emerging Business and Other and Digital Services grew by 11% and 1% respectively, while Managed Services declined by -5%.

Reported gross margin increased to 43.1% (38.6%) driven by improvements primarily in Networks, which showed strong operational leverage. Q2 2020 was negatively impacted by both a write-down of pre-commercial product inventory and initial 5G deployments in Mainland China.

Reported EBIT increased YoY to SEK 11.1 (8.2) b. as a result of improved gross income.

Reported EBITA increased to SEK 11.7 (8.7) b. YoY. EBITA excluding restructuring charges was SEK 11.7 (9.7) b. corresponding to an EBITA margin excluding restructuring charges of 11.2% (9.2%).

Net income year to date improved to SEK 7.1 (4.9) b. with the improved gross income impacted by a more negative financial net and higher taxes.

 

 

   
4    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Financial highlights


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Planning assumptions

Market related

 

    The global RAN equipment market is estimated to grow by 10% (3%) in 2021, with Mainland China expected to grow by 11% (4%), North America by 12% (2%) and Europe by 9% (3%). Source: Dell’Oro Mobile RAN report, May 2021. (Previous forecast within brackets)

Ericsson related

Net sales

    Three-year average reported sales seasonality between Q2 and Q3 is 5%, however, with large variations depending on timing of deployments and currency impact.

 

    In Q2 2021, sales in Mainland China were SEK 1.5 (4.1) b. In Q3 2020, sales in Mainland China were SEK 5.2 b. In Q4 2020, sales in Mainland China were SEK 4.8 b.

 

    The annual revenues from the current portfolio of IPR contracts is approximately SEK 7 b.

Gross margin

 

    Gross margin will vary by quarter depending on business mix and seasonality; thus, a rolling four quarter gross margin gives a more relevant view of the margin development.

 

R&D and SG&A expenses

 

    Operating expenses typically decrease between Q2 and Q3 due to seasonality, however, with large variations.

EBIT

 

    Digital Services: Considering the uncertainty in Mainland China and the fact that 2021 is an investment year, a similar earnings level is expected in Q3 2021 as in Q2 2021 and a break-even is expected in Q4 2021 isolated.

Restructuring charges

 

    Restructuring charges are estimated to be approximately 1% of sales per year on average.

Currency exposure

 

    Rule of thumb: A change by 10% of USD to SEK would have an impact of approximately +/-5% on net sales and approximately +/-1 percentage point on EBIT margin.

Cradlepoint

 

    Cradlepoint is fully consolidated into segment Emerging Business and Other.

 

    Group EBIT margin is expected to be negatively impacted by approximately -1 percentage point until the end of 2022.
 

 

 

   
5    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Planning assumptions


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Market area sales

 

SEK b.

   Q2
2021
     Q2
2020
     YoY
change
    YoY
adj.¹
    Q1
2021
     QoQ
change
    Jan-Jun
2021
     YoY
change
 

South East Asia, Oceania and India

     7.1        6.6        8     14     6.7        6     13.8        10

North EastAsia

     7.1        7.8        -9     1     6.5        10     13.6        16

North Am erica

     18.0        18.4        -2     11     17.1        5     35.0        -4

Europe and Latin America

     14.0        13.1        7     14     12.6        11     26.7        5

Middle East and Africa

     4.5        5.4        -18     -10     4.4        2     8.9        -21

Other²

     4.3        4.3        0     —         2.5        73     6.8        -18

Total

     54.9        55.6        -1     8     49.8        10     104.7        -1

 

1 

Sales growth adjusted for currency.

2

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

Sales breakdown by market area by segment is available at the end of this report.

    Three market areas showed double-digit organic growth.
    North East Asia grew organically by 69% excluding sales in Mainland China.
    After a period of decline, Latin America showed organic growth.

South East Asia, Oceania and India

Currency adjusted sales increased by 14% YoY. Networks sales increased YoY primarily driven by continued investments in LTE, mainly in India, and as a result of timing of project milestones in South East Asia. Sales decreased YoY in Digital Services due to timing of orders and project milestones. Managed Services sales increased YoY, mainly as a result of a new contract signed in the second half of 2020. Reported sales increased by 8%.

North East Asia

Currency adjusted sales increased by 1% YoY. Despite lower 5G volumes in Mainland China, sales in Networks grew, driven by continued 5G momentum in the other parts of the market area. Digital Services sales declined in Mainland China. Reported sales declined by -9%.

North America

Currency adjusted sales increased by 11% YoY. Sales growth was driven by strong demand for 5G solutions in Networks and for 5G Core and cloud-native solutions in Digital Services. Reported sales declined by -2%.

Europe and Latin America

Currency adjusted growth was 14% YoY with 12% growth in Europe and 28% in Latin America. Sales in both Networks and Digital Services continued to grow as a result of market share gains, while sales decreased in Managed Services YoY due to earlier decisions on contract exits and rescoping of contracts. Reported sales increased by 7%.

Middle East and Africa

Currency adjusted sales declined by -10% YoY. Sales declined YoY in Networks and Digital Services primarily due to lower 5G investments in the Middle East and uncertain macroeconomic conditions in Africa, which are likely to prevail for some time. Managed Services sales were stable. Reported sales decreased by     -18%.

Other

IPR licensing revenues decreased to SEK 2.3 (2.8) b. Revenues from the new contract with one licensee were offset by expired contracts under renewal negotiations, lower volumes with one licensee and a weaker USD.

Sequentially, IPR licensing revenues increased to SEK 2.3 (0.8) b. mainly due to the new agreement with Samsung.

 

 

   
6    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Market area sales


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Segment results

Segment Networks

 

SEK b.

   Q2
2021
    Q2
2020
    YoY
change
    Q1
2021
 

Net sales

     39.9       39.8       0     36.3  

Of which IPR licensing revenues

     1.92.3       -17     0.7  

Sales growth adj. for comparable units and FX

     —         —         11     —    

Gross income

     19.1       16.0       19     16.7  

Gross margin

     47.9     40.2     —         46.1

EBIT

     8.6       5.3       65     7.2  

EBIT margin

     21.7     13.2     —         20.0

Restructuring charges

     0.0       -0.4       —         0.0  

Measures excl. restructuring charges

        

Gross margin excl. restructuring charges

     47.9     40.5     —         46.0

EBIT excl. restructuring charges

     8.7       5.6       54     7.2  

EBIT margin excl.restructuring charges

     21.7     14.1     —         19.9

Breakdown of sales into products, services and IPR licensing is available in note 3.

 

    Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency grew by 11% with growth in four of the five market areas.
    Strengthened Cloud RAN portfolio with 5G mid-band and massive MIMO support.
    EBIT margin at 21.7% driven by operational leverage.

Net sales

Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency grew by 11% YoY, with growth in four of the five market areas. Sales in Mainland China declined by SEK -2.0 b. YoY. Sales declined in market area Middle East and Africa primarily due to lower 5G investments in the Middle East and uncertain macroeconomic conditions in Africa. IPR revenues were SEK -0.4 b. lower YoY. Reported sales were stable YoY.

Sequentially, reported sales increased by 10%, driven primarily by growth in Europe and Latin America as well as in North East Asia outside of Mainland China.

Gross margin

Reported gross margin increased to 47.9% (40.2%) YoY. Gross margin in the quarter was supported by strong operational leverage, which more than offset the lower IPR revenues YoY. Q2 2020 was negatively impacted by a write-down of pre-commercial product inventory and by initial 5G deployments in Mainland China. Gross margin excluding restructuring charges was 47.9% (40.5%).

Reported gross margin increased QoQ to 47.9% from 46.1% with continued strong operational leverage and a positive impact of two quarters of IPR revenues related to the patent agreement signed in the quarter.

EBIT

Reported EBIT increased to SEK 8.6 (5.3) b. YoY, which increased the EBIT margin to 21.7% (13.2%). The increase was driven by improved gross income. EBIT margin excluding restructuring charges increased to 21.7% (14.1%)

Sequentially, reported EBIT increased by SEK 1.4 b. EBIT margin increased to 21.7% from 20.0%, due to seasonally higher sales and improved gross income.

Net sales rolling four quarters were SEK 167.2 b. and EBIT margin rolling four quarters excluding restructuring charges was 21.5%.

Segment Digital Services

 

SEK b.

   Q2
2021
    Q2
2020
    YoY
change
    Q1
2021
 

Net sales

     7.9       8.6       -8     6.9  

Of which IPR licensing revenues

     0.40.5       -17     0.1  

Sales growth adj. for comparable units and FX

     —         0     —    

Gross income

     3.0       3.7       -20     3.0  

Gross margin

     37.9     43.6     —         43.5

EBIT (loss)

     -1.6       -0.7       —         -1.5  

EBIT margin

     -19.9     -8.1     —         -22.0

Restructuring charges

     0.0       0.0       —         0.0  

Measures excl. restructuring charges

        

Gross margin excl. restructuring charges

     37.9     43.6     —         43.6

EBIT excl. restructuring charges

     -1.6       -0.7       —         -1.5  

EBIT margin excl. restructuring charges

     -19.8     -8.5     —         -21.9

Breakdown of sales into products, services and IPR licensing is available in note 3.

 

    Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency were stable YoY despite a decrease of SEK -0.5 b. YoY in Mainland China.
    Double-digit sales growth in North America and in Europe and Latin America.
    The write-down related pre-commercial product investments for the Chinese market impacted gross margin by -3.6 p.p.

Net sales

Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency were stable YoY, with double-digit growth in North America and in Europe and Latin America, while sales declined in the other three market areas. Sales in Mainland China decreased by SEK -0.5 b. YoY. IPR revenues were SEK -0.1 b. lower YoY. Reported sales decreased by -8% YoY.

Reported sales increased by 14% QoQ, with growth in all market areas except in North East Asia.

Gross margin

Reported gross margin decreased to 37.9% (43.6%) YoY. There is a high risk regarding future market share in Core in Mainland China and the Company has made a write-down of SEK -0.3 b. for pre-commercial product investments for the Chinese market. The impact of the write-down on gross margin was -3.6 percentage points. Gross margin was also negatively impacted by lower IPR revenues YoY.

Reported gross margin decreased to 37.9% from 43.5% QoQ as a result of the write-down related to the Chinese market. The write-down more than offset the positive impact of two quarters of IPR revenues from the patent agreement signed in the quarter.

EBIT (loss)

Reported EBIT (loss) was SEK -1.6 (-0.7) b. with an EBIT margin of -19.9% (-8.1%). Operating expenses increased to SEK -4.6 b. mainly due to acceleration of R&D investments in the cloud native 5G portfolio.

Sequentially, reported EBIT decreased by SEK -0.1 b. to SEK -1.6 b.    due to the above-mentioned write-down.

Net sales rolling four quarters were SEK 36.2 b. and EBIT margin rolling four quarters excluding restructuring charges was -8.5%.

 

 

   
7    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Segment results


Table of Contents

Segment Managed Services

 

SEK b.

   Q 2
2021
    Q 2
2020
    YoY
change
    Q 1
2021
 

Net sales

     5.1       5.6       -8     4.9  

Sales growth adj. for comparable units and FX

     —         -2     —    

Gross income

     1.0       1.0       2     0.9  

Gross margin

     19.0     17.1     —         19.4

EBIT

     0.4       0.3       58     0.3  

EBIT margin

     8.1     4.7     —         6.4

Restructuring charges

     0.0       0.0       —         -0.1  

Measures excl. restructuring charges

        

Gross margin excl. restructuring charges

     19.0     17.2     —         21.0

EBIT excl. restructuring charges

     0.4       0.3       57     0.4  

EBIT margin excl. restructuring charges

     8.1     4.8     —         8.1

 

•  Sales declined YoY mainly due to lower variable sales in North America.

 

•  Continued investments in automation, analytics and AI-driven offerings – supporting 5G and efficiency in service delivery.

 

•  EBIT margin increased to 8.1% driven by efficiency gains.

Net sales

Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency decreased by -2% YoY, due to reduced variable sales in a large contract in North America, post the merger between two operators, and lower sales mainly in Europe due to earlier decided contract exits. Sales in Network Optimization showed growth mainly in Europe and Latin America. Sales in Managed Services IT&ADM showed growth mainly in North America. Reported sales declined by -8% YoY.

Gross margin

Reported gross margin increased to 19.0% (17.1%) YoY. Gross margin excluding restructuring charges increased to 19.0% (17.2%) YoY, mainly due to efficiency gains and higher variable sales.

Reported gross margin decreased slightly to 19.0% from 19.4% QoQ. Gross margin excluding restructuring charges decreased to 19.0% from 21.0% QoQ, due to seasonally lower costs in Q1.

EBIT

Reported EBIT was SEK 0.4 (0.3) b. EBIT margin excluding restructuring charges increased to 8.1% (4.8%) YoY, driven by efficiency gains and higher variable sales.

EBIT excluding restructuring charges was stable at SEK 0.4 b. QoQ.

Net sales rolling four quarters were SEK 21.3 b. and EBIT margin rolling four quarters excluding restructuring charges was 8.0%.

Segment Emerging Business and Other

 

SEK b.

   Q 2
2021
    Q 2
2020
    YoY
change
    Q 1
2021
 

Net sales

     2.1       1.6       29     1.7  

Sales growth adj. for comparable units and FX

     —         —         13     —    

Gross income

     0.8       0.2       —         0.6  

Gross margin

     37.9     12.6     —         36.6

EBIT (loss)

     -1.7       -1.0       —         -0.8  

EBIT margin

     -81.1     -60.5     —         -44.4

Restructuring charges

     0.0       -0.3       —         0.0  

Measures excl. restructuring charges

        

Gross margin excl. restructuring charges

     38.1     25.3     —         36.8

EBIT (loss) excl. restructuring charges

     -1.7       -0.6       —         -0.8  

EBIT margin excl. restructuring charges

     -81.5     -39.6     —         -43.7

 

•  Continued sales and gross margin growth in Emerging Business, driven mainly by Cradlepoint.

 

•  Positive impact of SEK 0.1 b. (Net sales, GM and EBIT) from final PPA for Cradlepoint.

 

•  Negative impact of SEK -0.8 b. (Other op income) from Nokia settlement related to 2019 resolution with the U.S. authorities

Net sales

Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency increased by 13%. Reported sales increased by 29% YoY, driven mainly by the acquired Cradlepoint business.

Gross margin

Reported gross margin increased to 37.9% (12.6%) YoY. Gross margin excluding restructuring charges increased to 38.1% (25.3%). The increase in Emerging Business was driven mainly by Cradlepoint and new businesses.

Reported gross margin increased to 37.9% from 36.6% QoQ. Gross margin excluding restructuring charges increased to 38.1% from 36.8% QoQ. The improvement was driven by Cradlepoint.

EBIT (loss)

Reported EBIT (loss) was SEK -1.7 (-1.0) b.

EBIT was negatively impacted by SEK -0.8 b. in the quarter, as a result of the Nokia settlement related to the 2019 resolution with the U.S. authorities. Adjusted for this settlement, reported EBIT (loss) was SEK -0.9 (-1.0) b.

The positive impact from the changes between the preliminary and final PPA (Purchase Price Allocation) for Cradlepoint was SEK 0.1 b.

Net sales rolling four quarters were SEK 7.1 b. and EBIT margin rolling four quarters excluding restructuring charges was -47.9%.

 

 

   
8    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Segment results


Table of Contents

Cash flow and financial position

 

Free cash flow bridge, SEK b.

   Q 2
2021
     Q 2
2020
     Q 1
2021
     Jan-Jun
2021
     Jan-Jun
2020
 

EBIT excl. restructuring charges

     5.8        4.5        5.3        11.2        9.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Depreciation, am ortization and in pairm entbsses

     2.1        2.2        1.9        4.0        4.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Restructuring charges

     0.0        -0.7        -0.1        -0.1        -1.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Changes in working capital¹â¾

     0.2        -0.2        -3.9        -3.6        -0.4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interestpaid/received,taxespaid,and other

     -2.2        -0.4        -0.1        -2.3        -2.2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities

     5.9        5.4        3.2        9.1        9.8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capexnet and other investing activities

     -1.3        -1.6        -1.1        -2.4        -3.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Repaym entoflease liabilities

     -0.6        -0.6        -0.5        -1.2        -1.2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Free cash flow before M &A

     4.1        3.2        1.6        5.6        5.6  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

M&A

     -0.1        0.0        0.0        -0.1        -0.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Free cash flow after M &A

     4.0        3.2        1.6        5.6        5.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities

     5.9        5.4        3.2        9.1        9.8  

Cash flow from investing activities

     -7.1        -0.5        -0.9        -8.1        -5.5  

Cash flow from financing activities

     4.3        -4.6        -6.2        -1.9        -3.1  

 

SEK b.

   Jun 30
2021
    Jun 30
2020
    Mar 31
2021
 

Grosscash

     77.1       75.4       68.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

-Borrow ings, current

     11.7       15.3       2.4  

-Borrow ings, non-current

     21.7       22.6       23.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Netcash

     43.7       37.5       43.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity

     91.7       78.5       88.1  

Total assets

     281.0       276.8       270.3  

Capitalturnover(times)

     1.3       1.3       1.3  

Return on capitalem ployed (% )

     13.5     9.9     13.3

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

1

Defined as Changes in operating net assets

•  Free cash flow before M&A was SEK 4.1 (3.2) b. supported by higher incoming IPR payments.

 

•  The average maturity of long-term borrowings increased to 4 years through an 8-year bond and a 7-year loan from EIB.

Cash flow from operating activities

Reported cash flow from operating activities was SEK 5.9 (5.4) b. Continued business momentum with increased profit and higher incoming IPR payments supported cash flow. Cash flow from operating activities in Q2 2020 was impacted by a payment of    SEK -1.0 b. into the Swedish Pension Trust. Operating net assets were stable in the quarter and key movements include an increase in contract liabilities with a positive impact of SEK 4.6 b. relating to a combination of customer contracts and incoming IPR payments. This was offset by an increase in trade receivables and contract assets of SEK -4.0 b. as a result of the sales growth in Networks in the quarter. Taxes paid/received were SEK -1.9 b.

Free cash flow

Free cash flow before M&A was SEK 4.1 (3.2) b. Capex net and other investing activities was SEK -1.3 (-1.6) b., primarily related to investment in Networks. Repayment of lease liabilities was stable at SEK -0.6 b. YoY and free cash flow after M&A was SEK 4.0 (3.2) b.

Cash flow from investing and financing activities

Reported cash flow from financing activities was SEK 4.3 (-4.6) b. including repayment of lease liabilities. In the quarter, Ericsson issued a EUR 0.5 b. (SEK 5.0 b.) bond maturing in 2029 and drew on its credit commitment with the European Investment Bank (EIB) of USD 0.3 b. (SEK 2.6 b.) maturing in 2028. Dividends of                SEK -3.3 b. were paid out in the quarter, and an additional SEK 1.00 per share (SEK -3.3 b.) will be paid out in October.

Reported cash flow from investing activities was SEK -7.1 (-0.5) b. mainly due to purchases of interest-bearing securities.

Financial position

Net cash improved QoQ to SEK 43.7 b. from SEK 43.0 b. due to the positive cash flow, partly offset by dividends paid. Gross cash increased by SEK 8.5 b. QoQ, driven by the issuing of a EUR 0.5 b. (SEK 5.0 b.) senior unsecured 8-year bond and the utilization of the USD 0.3 b. (SEK 2.6 b.) credit commitment with the EIB. Current borrowings increased due to reclassification of the USD 1.0 b. (SEK 8.5 b.) bond from non-current borrowings as it becomes due in Q2 2022. The average maturity of long-term borrowings was 4.0 years as of June 30, 2021, an increase from 2.2 years 12 months earlier.

Liabilities for post-employment benefits decreased slightly in the quarter, to SEK 31.4 b. from SEK 31.9 b. The Swedish defined benefit obligation (DBO) was calculated using a discount rate based on the Swedish government bond yield-curve. If the discount rate had been based on Swedish covered mortgage bonds, the liability for post-employment benefits would have been approximately    SEK 17.7 b. (SEK 13.7 b. lower than current DBO).

Return on capital employed (ROCE) was 13.5% (9.9%).

 

 

   
9    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Cash flow and financial position


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Parent Company

Income after financial items Jan–June 2021 was SEK 5.7 (2.3) b.

At the end of the quarter, gross cash (cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and interest-bearing securities, non-current) amounted to SEK 62.9 (63.3) b.

There was an increase in intercompany lending of SEK 2.5 b. and in intercompany borrowing of SEK 0.2 b. in the second quarter.

The Parent Company has recognized dividends from subsidiaries of SEK 5.2 (1.0) b. in the quarter. There was a negative impact of SEK -0.8 b. (Other operating income) in the quarter, as a result of the Nokia settlement related to the 2019 resolution with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

In accordance with the conditions of the long-term variable compensation program (LTV) for Ericsson employees, 1,629,894 shares from treasury stock were distributed or sold to employees in the second quarter. The holding of treasury stock on June 30, 2021 was 4,414,066 Class B shares.

    

 

 

   
10    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Parent Company


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Other information

Ericsson and Samsung signed global patent license agreement

On May 7, 2021, Ericsson and Samsung reached a multi-year agreement on global patent licenses between the two companies, including patents relating to all cellular technologies. The cross-license agreement covers sales of network infrastructure and handsets from January 1, 2021.

Furthermore, Ericsson and Samsung agreed on technology cooperation projects to advance the mobile industry in open standardization and create valuable solutions for consumers and enterprises.

This settlement ends complaints filed by both companies before the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) as well as the ongoing lawsuits in several countries and confirms the value of the strong patent portfolios of both companies. The details of the agreement are confidential and will not be disclosed.

Ericsson’s IPR licensing revenues continue to be affected by several factors, mainly expired patent license agreements pending renewal, geopolitical impact on the handset market, technology shift from 4G to 5G, and possible currency effects going forward.

Over several decades, Ericsson has made significant investments in R&D and in developing global mobile standards and is committed to licensing its standard-essential patents on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms for the benefit of consumers and enterprises everywhere. The FRAND system allows access to technology and intellectual property, developed by inventors like Ericsson, and also rewards those inventors for their major up-front investment in R&D in each mobile generation.

The value of Ericsson’s IP portfolio extends to more than 57,000 granted patents and is strengthened by annual investment in R&D of approx. SEK 40 b. With a leading global position in 5G, the company is confident of growing its IPR revenues long term, thereby further maximizing the value of the overall patent portfolio.

Ericsson announced settlement with impact in second quarter 2021

On May 12, 2021, Ericsson announced that the Company had reached an agreement with Nokia for settling a damages claim against Ericsson. The settlement relates to events that were the subject of 2019 resolutions with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of investigations into Ericsson’s violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

As communicated in 2019, the resolution with DOJ related to criminal charges of books and records and internal controls violations of the FCPA in five countries including in Djibouti and a guilty plea to one instance of bribery in Djibouti. The resolution with the SEC related to allegations of violations of the books and records and internal controls provision of the FCPA in six countries and of the bribery provision of the FCPA in three of these six countries.

The agreement with Nokia contemplates the payment by Ericsson of a total settlement amount of EUR 80 m (SEK 0.8 b. equivalent). The amount reflects uncertainty, risk, expense, and potential distraction from business focus associated with a potentially lengthy and complex litigation. The settlement will have an impact of EUR 80 m. on EBIT and EUR 26 m. on cash flow in Q2 2021. The remainder of the settlement amount will be made in similar installments in 2022 and 2023 respectively, impacting cash flow. The settlement amount will be recorded as Other operating expenses under Segment Emerging Business and Other. Further details of the terms of the settlement are confidential.

Ericsson has a zero-tolerance policy for corruption and has in recent years worked hard to strengthen its Ethics and Compliance program and to build a culture of compliance.

Ericsson updated risk factors for Euro corporate bond prospectus

On May 24, 2021, Ericsson announced that the Company was in the process of issuing a EUR 500 million unsecured 8-year bond under its EMTN program. In connection with this proposed issue, Ericsson updated the risk factors in its prospectus regarding geopolitical and trade uncertainty.

The reason for the update was as previously disclosed by Ericsson in its Q4 2020 financial report and in its 2020 Annual Report, that there is a risk that the decision by the Post and Telecommunication Authority (PTS) to exclude Chinese vendors’ products from the 5G auction in Sweden may adversely impact the economic interests of Sweden and Swedish industry, including those of Ericsson.

This risk has been included in the risk factors in Ericsson’s EMTN prospectus. The update coincides with Ericsson’s proposed issue under the EMTN program and the change in relation to the risk factor, as shown in the Q4 report, is reflected in the italicized text below.

Extract of text from Q4 report

Ongoing geopolitical and trade uncertainty from a range of factors may have a material adverse impact on our business, operations, business prospects and consequently on operating results, financial conditions and our ability to meet our targets.

[…]

There are uncertainties for the future bilateral trading relationships between China and several countries as a result of restrictions to wards Chinese vendors in national 5G networks.

[…]

In Sweden, the Post and Telecommunication Authority (PTS) has taken a decision to exclude Chinese vendors’ products from the 5G auction. Of special relevance for Ericsson in this context is the trade relationship between Sweden and China, since Ericsson, even though it is a global company with a presence on all global markets, has its headquarters in Sweden and therefore risks collateral damages from a weakened Swedish-Chinese relationship as a result of this decision. There is a risk that the above leads to measures taken by China that are targeted at the economic interests of Sweden and Swedish industry, including those of Ericsson. While Ericsson is invited to various ongoing tender processes in China, the final outcome remains uncertain and it is the company’s current assessment that the risk has increased that Ericsson will in those tenders be allocated a significantly lower market share than its current market share.

[...]

The geopolitical situation can have consequences on the entire industry, with an increased likelihood of further industry split, separation of global value chains and separation of global standards for mobile telecommunications. This overall development has also led to several countries evaluating how to ensure uninterrupted access to telecommunication network infrastructure, for example through promoting disaggregation of the Radio Access Network and support of national communication network infrastructure champions as alternative to the established global vendors such as Ericsson although the timing and extent of this remains unclear.

 

 

   
11    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Other information


Table of Contents

All of the above may have a material and potentially lasting adverse impact on our business, including sales, market share, market access and supply chain and R&D activities, our financial condition and results of operations.

COVID-19 update

Despite the effective deployment of vaccines in many markets we continue to take the utmost care to ensure the health and well-being of our colleagues in respect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We remain cautiously optimistic as 2021 progresses that control over the spread of the virus is increasing due to vaccination, public education and continued restrictions on movement in areas of heightened infection risk. It will still take time before the full effects of this strategy are seen. Therefore, we continue to advocate working from home for the majority of our employees throughout 2021.

 

    Travel restrictions for non-critical cross-border business travel will remain throughout 2021

 

    Event restrictions are extended accordingly for the rest of the year

 

    The mandate on mask wearing in our office locations continues until further notice.

In preparation for a phased return to the office, our Workplace of the Future program planning continues to enable future work flexibility and increased opportunities to connect and collaborate in the office, once it is deemed safe to do so.

We continue to operate efficiently and profitably and believe that tax-payers’ money is better used to target the health and economic effects of COVID-19, accordingly we have not sought public funding during the pandemic. The proactive approach to business continuity management in full alignment with customers at the beginning of the pandemic continues to pay off. Quality in Ericsson’s operations and customers’ networks are maintained. The dual mode production strategy and regionalized supply chains make it possible to keep performing to high levels across the supply chain.

POST-CLOSING EVENTS

Ericsson and Verizon ink landmark multi-year USD 8.3 b. 5G deal

On July 16, 2021, Ericsson announced a landmark multi-year agreement with Verizon to provide its industry-leading 5G solutions to accelerate the deployment of Verizon’s world-class next-generation 5G network in the U.S.

Under this USD 8.3 billion agreement, Verizon will deploy Ericsson’s 5G MIMO C-band, low-band, and millimeter wave (mmWave) solutions to enhance and expand Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband coverage, network performance, and user experience. Ericsson’s technology solutions, including Massive MIMO, Ericsson Spectrum Sharing, and Ericsson Cloud RAN, complement the high-performing Ericsson Radio System portfolio to support 5G services. Ericsson’s industry-leading software functionality provides end-users with the speed and performance they expect from 5G networks.

In 2020, Verizon was the first communications service provider to receive a commercial 5G mmWave Street Macro base station from Ericsson’s award-winning new state-of-the-art U.S. smart factory in Lewisville, Texas. Ericsson is committed to building and accelerating the nationwide build-out of 5G across the country.

 

 

   
12    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Other information


Table of Contents

Risk factors

 

Ericsson is exposed to a number of risks in its activities. To stimulate identification and support cross-functional treatment within the Ericsson Group, risks are grouped in a number of categories, including for example risks relating to technology, IPR, compliance, project execution, operations, products and services, treasury and accounting, the geopolitical environment, M&A, cyber security and occupational health and safety.

Ericsson’s risk management is embedded into strategy development and operational processes and is a part of the Ericsson Group Management System to ensure accountability, effectiveness, efficiency, business continuity and compliance. Risks are defined in both a short-term and long-term perspective and are related to long-term objectives as per the strategic direction as well as to short-term objectives.

Risk factors and uncertainties of relevance to Ericsson are described in the Annual Report 2020. Updates to these risk factors and uncertainties observed by Ericsson that are deemed of short-term relevance include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

Pandemics, such as for example the one caused by the novel Coronavirus, COVID-19, could severely impact our local and global operations

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused challenges and risks relating to travel and lockdowns limiting access to sites, transportation and logistics and impacting the flow of goods, as well as having major parts of the workforce working remotely. With an increasing infection rate in some of Ericsson’s markets, there is an increased risk for negative impact and disturbances in the Company’s operations, including in network deployments in those markets, impacting corresponding revenues. As previously mentioned, disturbances from the pandemic may have material adverse effects on our business and financial position.

This report has not been reviewed by Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson auditors.

Date for next report: October 19, 2021

 

 

   
13    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Risk factors


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Board assurance

The Board of Directors and the President and CEO certify that the financial report for the six months gives a fair view of the performance of the business, position and profit or loss of the Company and the Group, and describes the principal risks and uncertainties that the Company and the companies in the Group face.

Stockholm, July 16, 2021

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)

Org. Nr. 556016-0680

 

Helena Stjernholm    Ronnie Leten    Jacob Wallenberg
Deputy Chair    Chair    Deputy Chair
Jon Fredrik Baksaas    Jan Carlson    Nora Denzel
Member of the Board    Member of the Board    Member of the Board
Eric A. Elzvik    Kurt Jofs    Kristin S. Rinne
Member of the Board    Member of the Board    Member of the Board
   Börje Ekholm   
   President, CEO and member of the Board   
Torbjörn Nyman    Anders Ripa    Kjell-Åke Soting
Member of the Board    Member of the Board    Member of the Board

 

   
14    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Board assurance


Table of Contents

Editor’s note

 

Media and analyst briefing

Ericsson invites media, investors and analysts to a conference call and live video webcast at 9:00 AM CEST on July 16, 2021.

Link to the webcast, dial-in to audio conference, supporting material and replay will be available at:

www.ericsson.com/investors and

www.ericsson.com/newsroom

For further information, please contact:

Carl Mellander, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Phone: +46 72 583 88 70

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

media.relations@ericsson.com

Stella Medlicott, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Phone: +46 73 095 65 39

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 70 575 29 06

E-mail: peter.nyquist@ericsson.com

Lena Häggblom, Director,

Investor Relations

Phone: +46 72 593 27 78

E-mail: lena.haggblom@ericsson.com

Stefan Jelvin, Director,

Investor Relations

Phone: +46 70 986 02 27

E-mail: stefan.jelvin@ericsson.com

Media

Kristoffer Edshage, , Director of Corporate Media

Phone: +46 72 220 44 46

E-mail: media.relations@ericsson.com

Corporate Communications

Phone: +46 10 719 69 92

E-mail: media.relations@ericsson.com

 

 

   
15    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Editor’s note


Table of Contents

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, the following:

 

    Our goals, targets, strategies, planning assumptions and operational or financial performance expectations, such as the investor day key messages and our targets and strategies as described in the introductory bullets, the CEO comments, the Segment descriptions and in Other information

 

    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 2020.

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.

 

 

   
16    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Forward-looking statements


Table of Contents

Financial statements and other information

Contents

 

Financial statements (unaudited)

     18  

Condensed consolidated income statement

     18  

Condensed statement of comprehensive income (loss)

     18  

Condensed consolidated balance sheet

     19  

Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows

     20  

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity

     21  

Condensed consolidated income statement – isolated quarters

     21  

Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows – isolated quarters

     22  

Condensed Parent Company income statement

     23  

Condensed Parent Company statement of comprehensive income (loss)

     23  

Condensed Parent Company balance sheet

     24  

Accounting policies and Explanatory notes (unaudited)

     25  

Note 1 – Accounting policies

     25  

Note 2 – Critical accounting estimates and judgements

     25  

Note 3 – Segment information

     26  

Note 4 – Provisions

     30  

Note 5 – Financial risk management

     31  

Note 6 – Cash flow

     32  

Note 7 – Contingent liabilities and Assets pledged as collateral

     32  

Note 8 – Share information

     33  

Note 9 – Employee information

     33  

Note 10 – Business combinations

     33  

Alternative performance measures (unaudited)

     34  

Sales growth adjusted for comparable units and currency

     34  

Items excluding restructuring charges

     35  

EBITA and EBITA margin / EBITA and EBITA margin excluding restructuring charges

     36  

Rolling four quarters of net sales and EBIT margin excluding restructuring charges (%)

     36  

Gross cash and net cash, end of period

     37  

Capital employed

     37  

Capital turnover

     37  

Return on capital employed

     38  

Equity ratio

     38  

Return on equity

     38  

Adjusted earnings per share

     39  

Free cash flow before M&A / Free cash flow after M&A

     39  

Sales growth by segment adjusted for comparable units and currency

     40  

Sales growth by market area adjusted for comparable units and currency

     40  

Gross margin by segment by quarter

     41  

EBIT margin by segment by quarter

     41  

Restructuring charges by function

     42  

Restructuring charges by segment

     42  

Gross income and gross margin excluding restructuring charges by segment

     43  

EBIT and EBIT margin excluding restructuring charges by segment

     44  

Rolling four quarters of net sales by segment

     44  

Rolling four quarters of EBIT margin excluding restructuring charges by segment (%)

     44  

EBITA and EBITA margin by segment by quarter

     45  

Other ratios

     45  

 

   
17    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Financial statements and other information


Table of Contents

Financial statements (unaudited)

Condensed consolidated income statement

 

            Q2     Jan-Jun  

SEK million

   Note      2021      2020      Change     2021      2020  

Net sales

     3        54,941        55,578        -1     104,719        105,328  

Cost of sales

        -31,084        -34,661        -10     -59,567        -64,623  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross income

     3        23,857        20,917        14     45,152        40,705  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Research and development expenses

        -10,480        -10,035        4     -20,056        -19,180  

Selling and administrative expenses

        -6,972        -7,052        -1     -13,160        -13,290  

Impairment losses on trade receivables

        100        42        138     -112        -118  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating expenses

        -17,352        -17,045        2     -33,328        -32,588  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other operating income and expenses1)

        -579        131        -542     -566        220  

Share in earnings of JV and associated companies

        -103        -152        -32     -174        -180  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings before financial items and income tax (EBIT)

     3        5,823        3,851        51     11,084        8,157  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial income and expenses, net

        -454        292        -255     -987        -610  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income after financial items

        5,369        4,143        30     10,097        7,547  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income tax

        -1,469        -1,558        -6     -3,029        -2,682  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

        3,900        2,585        51     7,068        4,865  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to:

                

Owners of the Parent Company

        3,679        2,452          6,866        4,608  

Non-controlling interests

        221        133          202        257  

Other information

                

Average number of shares, basic (million)

     8        3,329        3,322          3,329        3,320  

Earnings per share, basic (SEK) ²)

        1.10        0.74          2.06        1.39  

Earnings per share, diluted (SEK) ³)

        1.10        0.74          2.06        1.39  

 

1) 

Includes cost of SEK -0.8 b. in Q2 2021 as a result of the Nokia settlement related to the 2019 resolutions with SEC and DOJ.

2) 

Based on net income attributable to owners of the Parent Company.

3) 

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

Condensed statement of comprehensive income (loss)

 

     Q2      Jan-Jun  

SEK million

   2021      2020      2021      2020  

Net income

     3,900        2,585        7,068        4,865  

Other comprehensive income (loss)

           

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

           

Remeasurements of defined benefits pension plans incl. asset ceiling

     595        1,482        6,641        -3,201  

Revaluation of borrowings due to change in creditrisk

     39        -1,032        -16        693  

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

     -93        -146        -1,326        559  

Items that have been or may be reclassified to profit or loss

           

Cash flow hedge reserve

           

Gains/ losses arising during the period

     -123        146        -154        -95  

Reclassification adjustments on gains/ losses included in profit or loss

     -24        71        -48        141  

Translation reserves

              —    

Changes in translation reserves

     -476        -3,591        1,245        -1,380  

Reclassification to profit and loss

     -9        -99        -9        -99  

Share of other comprehensive income (loss) of JV and associated companies

     -4        -90        31        -2  

Tax on items that have been or may be reclassified to profit or loss

     31        -44        42        -9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income, net of tax

     -64        -3,303        6,406        -3,393  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

     3,836        -718        13,474        1,472  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income attributable to:

           

Owners of the Parent Company

     3,597        -916        13,352        1,246  

Non-controlling interests

     239        198        122        226  

 

   
18    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Financial statements


Table of Contents

Condensed consolidated balance sheet

 

     Jun 30      Dec 31  

SEK million

   Note      2021      2020  

Assets

        

Non-current assets

        

Intangible assets

        

Capitalized development expenses

        3,798        3,857  

Goodwill

     10        36,436        34,945  

Intellectual property rights, brands and other intangible assets

        4,272        4,805  

Property, plant and equipment

        13,739        13,383  

Right-of-use assets

        7,985        7,980  

Financial assets

        

Equity in JV and associated companies

        1,116        1,274  

Other investments in shares and participations

     5        1,499        1,519  

Customer finance, non-current

     5        545        1,221  

Interest-bearing securities, non-current

     5        20,998        21,613  

Other financial assets, non-current

     5        5,329        4,842  

Deferred tax assets

        25,175        26,296  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        120,892        121,735  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current assets

        

Inventories

        30,515        28,097  

Contract assets

        11,811        11,273  

Trade receivables

     5        45,192        42,063  

Customer finance, current

     5        1,973        1,916  

Other current receivables

        14,534        16,014  

Interest-bearing securities, current

     5        12,855        6,820  

Cash and cash equivalents

     5        43,273        43,612  
        160,153        149,795  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

        281,045        271,530  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity and liabilities

        

Equity

        

Stockholders’ equity

        93,331        86,674  

Non-controlling interest in equity of subsidiaries

        -1,636        -1,497  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        91,695        85,177  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

        

Post-employment benefits

        31,411        37,353  

Provisions, non-current

     4        1,922        2,886  

Deferred tax liabilities

        975        1,089  

Borrowings, non-current

     5        21,673        22,218  

Lease liabilities, non-current

        7,111        7,104  

Other non-current liabilities

        1,596        1,383  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        64,688        72,033  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

        

Provisions, current

     4        7,310        7,580  

Borrowings, current

     5        11,737        7,942  

Lease liabilities, current

        2,203        2,196  

Contract liabilities

        36,621        26,440  

Trade payables

     5        29,638        31,988  

Other current liabilities

        37,153        38,174  
        124,662        114,320  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity and liabilities

        281,045        271,530  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

   
19    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Financial statements


Table of Contents

Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows

 

            Q2      Jan-Jun  

SEK million

   Note      2021      2020      2021      2020  

Operating activities

              

Net income

        3,900        2,585        7,068        4,865  

Adjustments for

              

Taxes

        1,230        1,871        2,814        3,108  

Earnings/ dividends in JV and associated companies

        112        155        188        185  

Depreciation, amortization and impairment losses

     62,097        2,156        4,032        4,276  

Other non-cash items

        495        -215        638        577  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        7,834        6,552        14,740        13,011  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Changes in operating net assets

              

Inventories

        -701        -1,253        -1,936        -1,791  

Customer finance, current and non-current

        454        307        673        1,124  

Trade receivables and contract assets

        -4,034        0        -2,055        5,559  

Trade payables

        744        4,104        -3,368        1,928  

Provisions and post-employment benefits

        -1,461        -1,189        -938        -971  

Contract liabilities

        4,603        -1,000        9,057        2,987  

Other operating assets and liabilities, net

        608        -1,167        -5,073        -9,276  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        213        -198        -3,640        -440  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest received

        15        347        257        479  

Interest paid

        -261        -513        -553        -903  

Taxes paid/received

        -1,861        -739        -1,659        -2,396  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities

        5,940        5,449        9,145        9,751  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investing activities

              

Investments in property, plant and equipment

     6        -1,007        -1,327        -1,922        -2,440  

Sales of property, plant and equipment

        17        69        41        95  

Acquisitions/divestments of subsidiaries and other operations, net

        -69        -45        -64        -253  

Product development

     6        -266        -211        -470        -473  

Other investing activities

        —          -126        -5        -168  

Interest-bearing securities

        -5,799        1,141        -5,638        -2,291  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flow from investing activities

        -7,124        -499        -8,058        -5,530  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financing activities

              

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

        7,804        579        7,881        923  

Repayment of long-term debt

        -510        -544        -5,752        -835  

Dividends paid

        -3,328        -2,489        -3,333        -2,498  

Repayment of lease liabilities

        -617        -618        -1,165        -1,214  

Other financing activities

        940        -1,486        491        497  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flow from financing activities

        4,289        -4,558        -1,878        -3,127  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

        -375        -3,084        452        -518  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

        2,730        -2,692        -339        576  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

        40,543        48,347        43,612        45,079  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

        43,273        45,655        43,273        45,655  

 

   
20    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Financial statements


Table of Contents

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity

 

     Jan-Jun  

SEK million

   2021      2020  

Opening balance

     85,177        81,878  

Total comprehensive income

     13,474        1,472  

Sale/repurchase of own shares

     —          81  

Long-term variable compensation plans

     43        97  

Dividends to shareholders¹)

     -6,873        -5,056  

Transactions with non-controlling interests

     -126        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance

     91,695        78,472  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1) 

SEK 1.00 per share of the total SEK 2.00 per share of the dividend approved by the AGM in March 2021 will be paid out in Q4 2021.

Condensed consolidated income statement – isolated quarters

 

     2021      2020  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q2      Q1      Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Net sales

     54,941        49,778        69,590        57,472        55,578        49,750  

Cost of sales

     -31,084        -28,483        -41,333        -32,710        -34,661        -29,962  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross income

     23,857        21,295        28,257        24,762        20,917        19,788  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Research and development expenses

     -10,480        -9,576        -10,433        -10,101        -10,035        -9,145  

Selling and administrative expenses

     -6,972        -6,188        -7,402        -5,992        -7,052        -6,238  

Impairment losses on trade receivables

     100        -212        264        -28        42        -160  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating expenses

     -17,352        -15,976        -17,571        -16,121        -17,045        -15,543  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other operating income and expenses¹)

     -579        13        381        61        131        89  

Share in earnings of JV and associated companies

     -103        -71        -59        -59        -152        -28  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings before financial items and income tax (EBIT)

     5,823        5,261        11,008        8,643        3,851        4,306  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial income and expenses, net

     -454        -533        -95        109        292        -902  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income after financial items

     5,369        4,728        10,913        8,752        4,143        3,404  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income tax

     -1,469        -1,560        -3,721        -3,186        -1,558        -1,124  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

     3,900        3,168        7,192        5,566        2,585        2,280  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to:

                 

Owners of the Parent Company

     3,679        3,187        7,522        5,353        2,452        2,156  

Non-controlling interests

     221        -19        -330        213        133        124  

Other information

                 

Average number of shares, basic (million)

     3,329        3,328        3,328        3,326        3,322        3,317  

Earnings per share, basic (SEK) ²)

     1.10        0.96        2.26        1.61        0.74        0.65  

Earnings per share, diluted (SEK) ³)

     1.10        0.96        2.26        1.61        0.74        0.65  

 

1) 

Includes cost of SEK -0.8 b. in Q2 2021 as a result of the Nokia settlement related to the 2019 resolutions with SEC and DOJ.

2) 

Based on net income attributable to owners of the Parent Company.

3) 

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

 

   
21    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Financial statements


Table of Contents

Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows – isolated quarters

 

     2021      2020  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q2      Q1      Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Operating activities

                 

Net income

     3,900        3,168        7,192        5,566        2,585        2,280  

Adjustments for

                 

Taxes

     1,230        1,584        3,846        3,482        1,871        1,237  

Earnings/ dividends in JV and associated companies

     112        76        115        74        155        30  

Depreciation, amortization and impairment losses

     2,097        1,935        2,293        2,105        2,156        2,120  

Other

     495        143        190        -320        -215        792  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     7,834        6,906        13,636        10,907        6,552        6,459  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Changes in operating net assets

                 

Inventories

     -701        -1,235        3,753        -1,578        -1,253        -538  

Customer finance, current and non-current

     454        219        -119        -635        307        817  

Trade receivables and contract assets

     -4,034        1,979        -7,231        -1,513        0        5,559  

Trade payables

     744        -4,112        2,999        -624        4,104        -2,176  

Provisions and post-employment benefits

     -1,461        523        199        -1,897        -1,189        218  

Contract liabilities

     4,603        4,454        -2,046        -1,501        -1,000        3,987  

Other operating assets and liabilities, net

     608        -5,681        3,768        3,228        -1,167        -8,109  
     213      -3,853      1,323      -4,520      -198      -242  

Interest received

     15        242        188        96        347        132  

Interest paid

     -261        -292        -344        -187        -513        -390  

Taxes paid/received

     -1,861        202        -900        -1,017        -739        -1,657  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities

     5,940        3,205        13,903        5,279        5,449        4,302  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investing activities

                 

Investments in property, plant and equipment

     -1,007        -915        -1,090        -963        -1,327        -1,113  

Sales of property, plant and equipment

     17        24        104        55        69        26  

Acquisitions/divestments of subs. and other operations, net¹)

     -69        5        -9,256        -89        -45        -208  

Product development

     -266        -204        -177        -167        -211        -262  

Other investing activities

     —          -5        668        301        -126        -42  

Interest-bearing securities

     -5,799        161        1,189        -246        1,141        -3,432  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flow from investing activities

     -7,124        -934        -8,562        -1,109        -499        -5,031  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financing activities

                 

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     7,804        77        2,213        83        579        344  

Repayment of long-term debt

     -510        -5,242        -8,036        -160        -544        -291  

Dividends paid

     -3,328        -5        -3,456        -42        -2,489        -9  

Repayment of lease liabilities

     -617        -548        -636        -567        -618        -596  

Other financing activities

     940        -449        1,436        -200        -1,486        1,983  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flow from financing activities

     4,289        -6,167        -8,479        -886        -4,558        1,431  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     -375        827        -2,024        -165        -3,084        2,566  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     2,730        -3,069        -5,162        3,119        -2,692        3,268  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     40,543        43,612        48,774        45,655        48,347        45,079  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

     43,273        40,543        43,612        48,774        45,655        48,347  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1) 

Includes acquisition of Cradlepoint of SEK -9.5 b. in Q4 2020.

 

   
22    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Financial statements


Table of Contents

Condensed Parent Company income statement

 

     Q2      Jan-Jun      Jan-Dec  

SEK million

   2021      2020      2021      2020      2020  

Net sales

     —          —          —          —          —    

Cost of sales

     —          —          —          —          —    

Gross income

     —          —          —          —          —    

Operating expenses¹)

     -172        -241        -345        -492        -1,378  

Other operating income and expenses

     -178        354        436        1,195        2,866  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EBIT

     -350        113        91        703        1,488  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial net¹)

     5,241        1,140        5,593        1,572        6,845  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income after financial items

     4,891        1,253        5,684        2,275        8,333  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Transfers to (-)/ from untaxed reserves

     —          —          —          —          -1,540  

Income tax

     -137        -144        -263        -318        -408  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

     4,754        1,109        5,421        1,957        6,385  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1) 

Amounts reported for Jan-June/April-June 2020 deviate from what was reported in the Second quarter report 2020 due to incorrect allocation of financial items to operating income. This was corrected in the Third quarter report 2020.

Condensed Parent Company statement of comprehensive income (loss)

 

     Q2      Jan-Jun      Jan-Dec  

SEK million

   2021      2020      2021      2020      2020  

Net income

     4,754        1,109        5,421        1,957        6,385  

Revaluation of borrowings due to change in credit risk

     39        -1,032        -16        693        99  

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

     -8        212        3        -143        -20  

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

     31        -820        -13        550        79  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

     4,785        289        5,408        2,507        6,464  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

   
23    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Financial statements


Table of Contents

Condensed Parent Company balance sheet

 

     Jun 30      Dec 31  

SEK million

   2021      2020  

Assets

     

Fixed assets

     

Intangible assets

     11        26  

Tangible assets

     454        460  

Financial assets¹)

     107,805        104,989  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     108,270        105,475  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current assets

     

Receivables

     26,806        30,230  

Short-term investments

     12,648        6,621  

Cash and cash equivalents

     29,315        28,775  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     68,769        65,626  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     177,039        171,101  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity, provisions and liabilities

     

Equity

     

Restricted equity

     48,164        48,164  

Non-restricted equity

     32,686        33,915  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     80,850        82,079  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Provisions

     274        343  

Non-current liabilities

     21,777        22,111  

Current liabilities

     74,138        66,568  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity, provisions and liabilities

     177,039        171,101  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

     20,974        21,597  

 

   
24    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Financial statements


Table of Contents

Accounting policies and Explanatory notes (unaudited)

Note 1 – Accounting policies

The group

This condensed consolidated interim financial report for the quarterly reporting period ended June 30, 2021, has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard IAS 34 “Interim Financial Reporting”. 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, 2020 and should be read in conjunction with that annual report. There are no amendments of IFRS during 2021 that are estimated to have a material impact on the result and financial position of the Company.

Changes applied as from Q1 2021

- Change in name from Operating income to EBIT

Operating income has been renamed as EBIT (Earnings before financial items and income tax) and Operating margin as EBIT margin. The definitions of EBIT and EBIT margin remains unchanged.

- Changes in presentation of cash flow statement

From Q1 2021, interests and tax cash flows are presented as a separate section within the “Cash flow from operating activities”. Previously, interests and tax cash flows were subsumed within various lines in the sections “Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash” and “Changes in operating net assets”, and only disclosed in note H3 “Statement of cash flow” of the Annual Report. All prior quarters in 2020 have been restated with this new section and other sections adjusted accordingly. There is no impact on Cash flows from operating activities for all periods in 2020.

From Q1 2021, the condensed consolidated statement of cash flow in the interim report is expanded to show “Proceeds from issuance of borrowings” and “Repayment of borrowings” separately. The Company also decided to present the net movements in collaterals received from CSA agreements and bank borrowings less than 3 months (used for short term liquidity purposes) as “Other financing activities” as these balances fluctuate over a short duration, therefore it is neither practical nor useful to present their gross movements on the cash flow statement.

The prior quarters in 2020 have been restated accordingly. This resulted in a reclassification between the lines “Proceeds from issuance of borrowings”, “Repayment of borrowings” and “Other financing activities” compared to the full year cash flow statement in the 2020 Annual Report. The Cash flow from financing activities remained unchanged for all periods in 2020.

Note 2 – Critical accounting estimates and judgements

COVID-19 impacts on the Financial statements

As noted in the previous interim reports in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted certain lines within our financial statements. Fiscal stimulus provided by governments worldwide has reduced government bond yields and resulted in the significant movement in the capital and equity markets throughout 2020.

As the global economy continues to recover in 2021, government bond yields and corporate bond yields increased to almost the pre-pandemic levels. The increase in government bond yields in Sweden, and corporate bond yields in US and UK resulted in a significant decrease in the net pensions liability.

The Company continually assesses the business performance and profitability for changes in expected future cash flows which could impact recoverability of assets such as deferred tax assets and intangible assets. Risk assessment on the business plans is carried out on a regular basis and an impairment review will be performed if conditions suggest that such assets may be impaired. The Company also monitors customer collections trends for changes in current and future conditions that may impact the expected credit losses model for trade receivables. At the end of June 2021, the Company concluded there is no evidence of material changes to recoverability risk of business assets, including deferred tax assets and trade receivables.

 

 

   
25    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Accounting policies and Explanatory notes


Table of Contents

Note 3 – Segment information

Net sales by segment by quarter

 

     2021     2020  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Networks

     39,875       36,274       49,366       41,659       39,827       35,126  

Of which Products

     30,414       27,495       37,523       30,992       28,966       24,748  

Of which Services

     9,461       8,779       11,843       10,667       10,861       10,378  

Digital Services

     7,887       6,898       12,671       8,733       8,575       7,345  

Of which Products

     3,989       3,581       7,430       4,621       4,598       3,798  

Of which Services

     3,898       3,317       5,241       4,112       3,977       3,547  

Managed Services

     5,119       4,865       5,815       5,498       5,573       5,714  

Emerging Business and Other

     2,060       1,741       1,738       1,582       1,603       1,565  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     54,941       49,778       69,590       57,472       55,578       49,750  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2021     2020  

Sequential change, percent

   Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Networks

     10     -27     19     5     13     -21

Of which Products

     11     -27     21     7     17     -21

Of which Services

     8     -26     11     -2     5     -22

Digital Services

     14     -46     45     2     17     -44

Of which Products

     11     -52     61     1     21     -48

Of which Services

     18     -37     27     3     12     -39

Managed Services

     5     -16     6     -1     -2     -19

Emerging Business and Other

     18     0     10     -1     2     -10
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     10     -28     21     3     12     -25
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2021     2020  

Year over year change, percent

   Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Networks

     0     3     11     6     5     5

Of which Products

     5     11     20     13     8     4

Of which Services

     -13     -15     -11     -9     -2     7

Digital Services

     -8     -6     -4     -12     -5     -6

Of which Products

     -13     -6     1     -17     0     -4

Of which Services

     -2     -6     -10     -4     -9     -9

Managed Services

     -8     -15     -17     -14     -12     -2

Emerging Business and Other

     29     11     0     -3     -4     -11
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     -1     0     5     1     1     2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2021     2020  

Year to date, SEK million

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

Networks

     76,149       36,274       165,978       116,612       74,953       35,126  

Of which Products

     57,909       27,495       122,229       84,706       53,714       24,748  

Of which Services

     18,240       8,779       43,749       31,906       21,239       10,378  

Digital Services

     14,785       6,898       37,324       24,653       15,920       7,345  

Of which Products

     7,570       3,581       20,447       13,017       8,396       3,798  

Of which Services

     7,215       3,317       16,877       11,636       7,524       3,547  

Managed Services

     9,984       4,865       22,600       16,785       11,287       5,714  

Emerging Business and Other

     3,801       1,741       6,488       4,750       3,168       1,565  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     104,719       49,778       232,390       162,800       105,328       49,750  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2021     2020  

Year over year change, percent

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

Networks

     2     3     7     5     5     5

Of which Products

     8     11     12     9     6     4

Of which Services

     -14     -15     -5     -2     2     7

Digital Services

     -7     -6     -6     -8     -5     -6

Of which Products

     -10     -6     -5     -8     -2     -4

Of which Services

     -4     -6     -8     -7     -9     -9

Managed Services

     -12     -15     -12     -9     -7     -2

Emerging Business and Other

     20     11     -4     -6     -8     -11
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     -1     0     2     1     2     2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

   
26    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Accounting policies and Explanatory notes


Table of Contents

Gross income by segment by quarter

 

     2021      2020  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q2      Q1      Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Networks

     19,111        16,714        21,430        19,375        16,022        15,586  

Digital Services

     2,990        3,002        5,183        3,787        3,738        2,929  

Managed Services

     975        942        1,031        1,093        955        933  

Emerging Business and Other

     781        637        613        507        202        340  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     23,857        21,295        28,257        24,762        20,917        19,788  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2021      2020  

Year to date, SEK million

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

Networks

     35,825        16,714        72,413        50,983        31,608        15,586  

Digital Services

     5,992        3,002        15,637        10,454        6,667        2,929  

Managed Services

     1,917        942        4,012        2,981        1,888        933  

Emerging Business and Other

     1,418        637        1,662        1,049        542        340  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     45,152        21,295        93,724        65,467        40,705        19,788  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EBIT (loss) by segment by quarter

 

     2021      2020  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q2      Q1      Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Networks

     8,645        7,240        10,604        9,165        5,255        5,827  

Digital Services

     -1,567        -1,519        499        -591        -697        -1,417  

Managed Services

     416        313        401        491        263        408  

Emerging Business and Other

     -1,671        -773        -496        -422        -970        -512  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     5,823        5,261        11,008        8,643        3,851        4,306  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2021      2020  

Year to date, SEK million

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

Networks

     15,885        7,240        30,851        20,247        11,082        5,827  

Digital Services

     -3,086        -1,519        -2,206        -2,705        -2,114        -1,417  

Managed Services

     729        313        1,563        1,162        671        408  

Emerging Business and Other

     -2,444        -773        -2,400        -1,904        -1,482        -512  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     11,084        5,261        27,808        16,800        8,157        4,306  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

   
27    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Accounting policies and Explanatory notes


Table of Contents

Net sales by market area by quarter

 

     2021     2020  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

South East Asia, Oceania and India

     7,099       6,676       9,748       7,801       6,582       5,917  

North East Asia

     7,123       6,491       12,823       8,814       7,790       3,907  

North America

     17,950       17,081       19,101       18,356       18,407       17,911  

Europe and Latin America1) 2)

     14,011       12,647       17,125       13,318       13,061       12,241  

Middle East and Africa

     4,459       4,393       6,518       5,520       5,431       5,829  

Other1) 2)

     4,299       2,490       4,275       3,663       4,307       3,945  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     54,941       49,778       69,590       57,472       55,578       49,750  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

¹) Of which in Sweden

     404       389       363       249       284       227  

²) Of which in EU

     7,256       6,801       8,874       7,090       7,278       6,259  
     2021     2020  

Sequential change, percent

   Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

South East Asia, Oceania and India

     6     -32     25     19     11     -36

North East Asia

     10     -49     45     13     99     -60

North America

     5     -11     4     0     3     3

Europe and Latin America 1) 2)

     11     -26     29     2     7     -30

Middle East and Africa

     2     -33     18     2     -7     -31

Other1) 2)

     73     -42     17     -15     9     -5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     10     -28     21     3     12     -25
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

¹) Of which in Sweden

     4     7     46     -12     25     -3

²) Of which in EU

     7     -23     25     -3     16     -29
     2021     2020  

Year over year change, percent

   Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

South East Asia, Oceania and India

     8     13     6     5     -5     -4

North East Asia

     -9     66     32     39     20     2

North America

     -2     -5     10     -3     4     11

Europe and Latin America

     7     3     -2     -7     -7     -7

Middle East and Africa

     -18     -25     -23     -9     -4     8

Other1) 2)

     0     -37     3     -8     10     -7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     -1     0     5     1     1     2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

¹) Of which in Sweden

     42     71     54     1815     91     18

²) Of which in EU

     0     9     1     -4     5     -4
     2021     2020  

Year to date, SEK million

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

South East Asia, Oceania and India

     13,775       6,676       30,048       20,300       12,499       5,917  

North East Asia

     13,614       6,491       33,334       20,511       11,697       3,907  

North America

     35,031       17,081       73,775       54,674       36,318       17,911  

Europe and Latin America1) 2)

     26,658       12,647       55,745       38,620       25,302       12,241  

Middle East and Africa

     8,852       4,393       23,298       16,780       11,260       5,829  

Other1) 2)

     6,789       2,490       16,190       11,915       8,252       3,945  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     104,719       49,778       232,390       162,800       105,328       49,750  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

¹) Of which in Sweden

     793       389       1,123       760       511       227  

²) Of which in EU

     14,057       6,801       29,501       20,627       13,537       6,259  
     2021     2020  

Year to date, year over year change, percent

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

South East Asia, Oceania and India

     10     13     1     -1     -5     -4

North East Asia

     16     66     26     23     13     2

North America

     -4     -5     5     3     7     11

Europe and Latin America1) 2)

     5     3     -6     -7     -7     -7

Middle East and Africa

     -21     -25     -9     -2     2     8

Other1) 2)

     -18     -37     -1     -2     1     -7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     -1     0     2     1     2     2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

¹) Of which in Sweden

     55     71     91     115     50     18

²)Of which in EU

     4     9     0     -1     1     -4

 

   
28    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Accounting policies and Explanatory notes


Table of Contents

Net sales by market area by segment

 

     Q2 2021     Jan-Jun 2021  

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

     5,160       866       1,059       14       7,099       10,003       1,631       2,120       21       13,775  

North East Asia

     6,215       697       159       52       7,123       11,606       1,556       329       123       13,614  

North America

     15,370       1,833       714       33       17,950       30,324       3,311       1,350       46       35,031  

Europe and Latin America

     8,738       2,882       2,285       106       14,011       16,695       5,365       4,394       204       26,658  

Middle East and Africa

     2,365       1,189       902       3       4,459       4,713       2,341       1,791       7       8,852  

Other1)

     2,027       420       0       1,852       4,299       2,808       581       0       3,400       6,789  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     39,875       7,887       5,119       2,060       54,941       76,149       14,785       9,984       3,801       104,719  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Share of total

     73     14     9     4     100     73     14     10     4     100

 

1) 

Includes IPR licensing revenues.

 

     Q2 2021  

Sequential change, percent

   Networks     Digital
Services
    Managed
Services
    Emerging
Business
and
Other
    Total  

South East Asia, Oceania and India

     7     13     0     100     6

North East Asia

     15     -19     -6     -27     10

North America

     3     24     12     154     5

Europe and Latin America

     10     16     8     8     11

Middle East and Africa

     1     3     1     -25     2

Other

     160     161     —         20     73
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     10     14     5     18     10
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Q2 2021     Jan-Jun 2021  

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

     15     -20     3     75     8     15     -12     9     -16     10

North East Asia

     -3     -41     -8     -9     -9     27     -24     -12     0     16

North America

     -3     6     -19     43     -2     -2     1     -33     31     -4

Europe and Latin America

     12     9     -10     19     7     11     7     -14     17     5

Middle East and Africa

     -21     -18     -7     0     -18     -28     -16     -4     -30     -21

Other

     -15     -16     -100     30     0     -38     -38     —         21     -18
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     0     -8     -8     29     -1     2     -7     -12     20     -1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

   
29    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Accounting policies and Explanatory notes


Table of Contents

Top 5 countries in sales

 

     Q2     Jan-Jun  

Country, percentage of net sales1)

   2021     2020     2021     2020  

United States

     34     35     35     36

Japan

     5     3     7     4

India

     4     2     3     3

Australia

     3     4     3     4

China

     3     9     3     7

 

1) 

Based on Jan-Jun 2021.

IPR licensing revenues by segment by quarter

 

     2021      2020  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q2      Q1      Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Networks

     1,904        671        2,105        1,773        2,282        2,019  

Digital Services

     418        147        463        389        501        443  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     2,322        818        2,568        2,162        2,783        2,462  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2021      2020  

Year to date, SEK million

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

Networks

     2,575        671        8,179        6,074        4,301        2,019  

Digital Services

     565        147        1,796        1,333        944        443  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     3,140        818        9,975        7,407        5,245        2,462  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Note 4 – Provisions

Provisions

 

     2021      2020  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q2      Q1      Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Opening balance

     11,045        10,466        10,922        10,603        11,060        10,923  

Additions

     616        1,753        1,245        1,093        2,116        793  

Utilization/Cash out

     -2,179        -979        -761        -475        -2,066        -673  

Of which restructuring

     -161        -336        -332        -160        -137        -186  

Reversal of excess amounts

     -170        -339        -673        -172        -192        -124  

Reclassification, translation difference and other

     -80        144        -267        -127        -315        141  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance

     9,232        11,045        10,466        10,922        10,603        11,060  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Of which restructuring

     807        950        1,200        1,659        1,594        1,202  
     2021      2020  

Year to date, SEK million

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

Opening balance

     10,466        10,466        10,923        10,923        10,923        10,923  

Additions

     2,369        1,753        5,247        4,002        2,909        793  

Utilization/Cash out

     -3,158        -979        -3,975        -3,214        -2,739        -673  

Of which restructuring

     -497        -336        -815        -483        -323        -186  

Reversal of excess amounts

     -509        -339        -1,161        -488        -316        -124  

Reclassification, translation difference and other

     64        144        -568        -301        -174        141  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance

     9,232        11,045        10,466        10,922        10,603        11,060  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Of which restructuring

     807        950        1,200        1,659        1,594        1,202  

 

   
30    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Accounting policies and Explanatory notes


Table of Contents

Note 5 – Financial risk management

There have been no changes to the classification of financial instruments or fair value hierarchy categorization from that presented in the latest Annual Report. Where Level 2 and Level 3 fair value hierarchies apply, the inputs and valuation methods used remained unchanged. The book values and fair values of financial instruments are as follows:

Financial instruments

 

SEK billion

   Jun 30 2021      Dec 31 2020  
     Fair value hierarchy level      Fair value hierarchy level  
     Carrying
value
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Carrying
value
     Level 4      Level2      Level 3  

Assets at fair value through profit or loss

                       

Customer finance1)

     2.5        —          —          2.5        3.1        —          —          3.1  

Interest-bearing securities

     33.6        33.6        —          —          28.1        28.1        —          —    

Cash equivalents²)

     23.3        —          23.3        —          23.6        —          23.6        —    

Other financial assets

     1.5        —          —          1.5        1.5        —          —          1.5  

Other current assets

     0.7        —          0.7        —          1.5        —          1.5        —    

Assets at fair value through OCI

                       

Trade receivables

     45.2        —          —          45.2        42.1        —          —          42.1  

Assets at amortized costs

                       

Interest-bearing securities

     0.3        —          —          —          0.4        —          —          —    

Cash equivalents²)

     3.2        —          —          —          3.6        —          —          —    

Other financial assets

     0.5        —          —          —          0.5        —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial assets

     110.8                 104.4           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities at designated FVTPL

                       

Parent company borrowings

     -30.3        -14.1        -16.2        —          -27.2        -18.9        -8.3        —    

Financial liabilities at FVTPL

                       

Other current liabilities

     -0.4        —          -0.4        —          -0.2        —          -0.2        —    

Liabilities at amortized cost

                       

Trade payables

     -29.6        —          —          —          -32.0        —          —          —    

Borrowings

     -3.1        —          —          —          -2.9        —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total financial liabilities

     -63.4                 -62.3           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1) 

Year to date movements of customer finance receivables are as follows: additions of SEK 8.0 billion, disposals and repayments of SEK 9.1 billion and revaluation gain of SEK 0.4 billion.

2) 

Total Cash and cash equivalent is SEK 43.3 (43.6) billion, of which SEK 26.5 (27.2) billion relating to Cash equivalents are presented in the table above.

Exchange rates used in the consolidation

 

     Jan-Jun      Jan-Dec  
     2021      2020      2020  

SEK/EUR -closing rate

     10.11        10.50        10.06  

SEK/USD -closing rate

     8.51        9.37        8.19  

 

   
31    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Accounting policies and Explanatory notes


Table of Contents

Note 6 – Cash flow

Information on investments

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

 

     2021      2020  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q 2      Q 1      Q 4      Q 3      Q 2      Q 1  

Additions

                 

Property, plant and equipment

     1,007        915        1,090        963        1,327        1,113  

Capitalized development expenses

     266        204        177        167        211        262  

IPR, brands and other intangible assets

     1        4        124        —          97        1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     1,274        1,123        1,391        1,130        1,635        1,376  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Depreciation, am ortization and in pairm entlosses

                 

Property, plant and equipment

     910        874        1,186        916        1,003        1,009  

Capitalized development expenses

     329        224        230        230        272        174  

Goodwill, IPR, brands and other intangible assets

     294        283        276        365        258        321  

Right-of-use assets

     564        554        601        594        623        616  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     2,097        1,935        2,293        2,105        2,156        2,120  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2021      2020  

Year to date, SEK million

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

Additions

                 

Property, plant and equipment

     1,922        915        4,493        3,403        2,440        1,113  

Capitalized development expenses

     470        204        817        640        473        262  

IPR, brands and other intangible assets

     5        4        222        98        98        1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     2,397        1,123        5,532        4,141        3,011        1,376  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Depreciation, am ortization and in pairm entlosses

                 

Property, plant and equipment

     1,784        874        4,114        2,928        2,012        1,009  

Capitalized development expenses

     553        224        906        676        446        174  

Goodwill, IPR, brands and other intangible assets

     577        283        1,220        944        579        321  

Right-of-use assets

     1,118        554        2,434        1,833        1,239        616  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     4,032        1,935        8,674        6,381        4,276        2,120  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Note 7 – Contingent liabilities and Assets pledged as collateral

Contingent liabilities and Assets pledged as collateral

 

SEK million

   Jun 30
2021
     Dec31
2020
 

Contingent liabilities

     1,477        1,198  

Assets pledged as collateral

     7,555        6,808  

 

   
32    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Accounting policies and Explanatory notes


Table of Contents

Note 8 – Share information

Number of shares and earnings per share

 

     Q 2      Jan-Jun  
     2021      2020      2021      2020  

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)

     4        11        4        11  

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

     3,330        3,324        3,330        3,324  

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

     3,333        3,330        3,333        3,330  

Average number of treasury shares (million)

     5        12        5        15  

Average number of shares outstanding, basic (million)

     3,329        3,322        3,329        3,320  

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

     3,332        3,329        3,332        3,326  

Earningsper share,basic (SEK) 2)

     1.10        0.74        2.06        1.39  

Earningsper share,diluted (SEK) 1)

     1.10        0.74        2.06        1.39  

 

1) 

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

2) 

Based on net income attributable to owners of the Parent Company.

Note 9 – Employee information

Number of employees

 

     2021      2020  

End ofperiod

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

South East Asia, Oceania and India

     26,325        26,123        25,869        25,633        25,265        24,942  

North East Asia

     14,043        14,033        13,944        13,955        13,965        13,786  

North America

     10,256        10,161        10,175        9,537        9,785        9,718  

Europe and Latin America 1)

     46,616        46,482        46,580        46,495        46,521        46,402  

Middle East and Africa

     4,384        4,314        4,256        4,206        4,264        4,247  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     101,624        101,113        100,824        99,826        99,800        99,095  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

1) Of which Sweden

     13,626        13,379        13,173        13,046        12,884        12,746  

Note 10 – Business combinations

Acquisition Cradlepoint—Final PPA

 

SEK billion

   2020  

Total considerationincl.cash

     9.5  

Net assets acquired

  

Cash and cash equivalents

     0.3  

Inventory

     0.6  

Otherassets

     0.8  

Intangible assets

     3.2  

Other liabilities 1)

     -3.1  
  

 

 

 

Total identifiable netassets

     -0.2  
  

 

 

 

Goodw ill

     7.5  
  

 

 

 

Total

     9.5  
  

 

 

 

 

1) 

Includes deferred tax liabilities of SEK -1.0 billion.

On November 1, 2020, the Company acquired all of the shares in Cradlepoint Inc, a US-based market leader in Wireless Edge WAN 4G and 5G Enterprise solutions. The investment is key to Ericsson’s ongoing strategy of capturing market share in the rapidly expanding 5G Enterprise space. Cradlepoint complements Ericsson’s existing 5G Enterprise portfolio which includes Dedicated Networks and a global IoT platform. Goodwill in this transaction represents future customers, future technology and synergies to the sales channels and commercial model applied by Cradlepoint and is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes. In Q2 2021 the final fair values at the acquisition date of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was finalized, see table above. The main change between the provisional and final fair values in the balance sheet is an increase in goodwill of SEK 0.5 billion with a corresponding increase of deferred revenues. This resulted in a positive impact in the income statement of SEK 0.1 billion in Q2 2021.

 

   
33    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Accounting policies and Explanatory notes


Table of Contents

Alternative performance measures (unaudited)

In this section, the Company presents its Alternative Performance Measures (APMs), which are not recognized measures of financial performance under IFRS. 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. APM’s should not be viewed as substitutes for income statement or cash flow items computed in accordance with IFRS.

As from 2021 Operating income has been renamed as EBIT and Operating margin as EBIT margin. The definitions of EBIT and EBIT margin remain unchanged. The APMs have been updated with the new names.

As from 2021 EBITA excluding restructuring charges has been added. The main reason for the update is that Ericsson’s long-term target is expressed as EBITA excluding restructuring charges as a percentage of net sales.

The APM Sales growth adjusted for comparable units and currency has been added with the split by market area. Previously the information was provided by segment, but as from 2021 the information is also provided by market area.

This section also includes a reconciliation of the APMs to the most directly reconcilable line items in the financial statements. For more information about non-IFRS key operating measures, see Ericsson Annual Report 2020.

 

 

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. Also named organic growth.

 

     2021     2020  

Isolated quarters, year over year change

   Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Reported netsales

     54,941       49,778       69,590       57,472       55,578       49,750  

Acquired business

     -450       -225       -206       -415       -422       -319  

Net FX impact

     5,455       5,341       5,472       4,304       -326       -1,654  

Com parable net sales, excluding FX impact

     59,946       54,894       74,856       61,361       54,830       47,777  

Com parable quarter net sales adj. for acq/div business1)

     55,578       49,750       66,373       57,150       54,810       48,798  

Sales growth adjusted for comparable units and currency (% )

     8     10     13     7     0     -2
     2021     2020  

Year to date, year over year change

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

Reported netsales

     104,719       49,778       232,390       162,800       105,328       49,750  

Acquired business

     -675       -225       -1,362       -1,156       -741       -319  

Net FX impact

     10,796       5,341       7,796       2,324       -1,980       -1,654  

Com parable net sales, excluding FX impact

     114,840       54,894       238,824       163,968       102,607       47,777  

Com parable quarter net sales adj. for acq/div business1)

     105,328       49,750       227,132       160,758       103,608       48,798  

Sales growth adjusted for comparable units and currency (% )

     9     10     5     2     -1     -2

 

1) 

Adjusted for acquisition of Cradlepoint in November 2020.

 

   
34    Ericsson | First Quarter Report 2021                        Alternative performance measures


Table of Contents

Items excluding restructuring charges

Gross income, operating expenses, and EBIT are presented excluding restructuring charges and, for certain measures, as a percentage of net sales. Operating income has been renamed to EBIT and Operating margin to EBIT margin. The definition on EBIT and EBIT margin remain unchanged.

 

     2021     2020  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Gross income

     23,857       21,295       28,257       24,762       20,917       19,788  

Net sales

     54,941       49,778       69,590       57,472       55,578       49,750  

Gross margin (% )

     43.4     42.8     40.6     43.1     37.6     39.8

Gross income

     23,857       21,295       28,257       24,762       20,917       19,788  

Restructuring charges included in cost of sales

     6       62       5       73       312       335  

Gross income excluding restructuring charges

     23,863       21,357       28,262       24,835       21,229       20,123  

Net sales

     54,941       49,778       69,590       57,472       55,578       49,750  

Gross margin excluding restructuring charges(% )

     43.4     42.9     40.6     43.2     38.2     40.4

Operating expenses

     -17,352       -15,976       -17,571       -16,121       -17,045       -15,543  

Restructuring charges included in R&D expenses

     -1       —         -21       244       227       -39  

Restructuring charges included in selling and administrative expenses

     -1       15       8       13       144       5  

Operating expenses excluding restructuring charges

     -17,354       -15,961       -17,584       -15,864       -16,674       -15,577  

EBIT

     5,823       5,261       11,008       8,643       3,851       4,306  

Net sales

     54,941       49,778       69,590       57,472       55,578       49,750  

EBIT margin (% )

     10.6     10.6     15.8     15.0     6.9     8.7

EBIT

     5,823       5,261       11,008       8,643       3,851       4,306  

Total restructuring charges

     4       77       -8       330       683       301  

EBIT excluding restructuring charges

     5,827       5,338       11,000       8,973       4,534       4,607  

Net sales

     54,941       49,778       69,590       57,472       55,578       49,750  

EBIT margin excluding restructuring charges(% )

     10.6     10.7     15.8     15.6     8.2     9.3

 

     2021     2020  

Year to date, SEK million

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

Gross income

     45,152       21,295       93,724       65,467       40,705       19,788  

Net sales

     104,719       49,778       232,390       162,800       105,328       49,750  

Gross margin (% )

     43.1     42.8     40.3     40.2     38.6     39.8

Gross income

     45,152       21,295       93,724       65,467       40,705       19,788  

Restructuring charges included in cost of sales

     68       62       725       720       647       335  

Gross income excluding restructuring charges

     45,220       21,357       94,449       66,187       41,352       20,123  

Net sales

     104,719       49,778       232,390       162,800       105,328       49,750  

Gross margin excluding restructuring charges(% )

     43.2     42.9     40.6     40.7     39.3     40.4

Operating expenses

     -33,328       -15,976       -66,280       -48,709       -32,588       -15,543  

Restructuring charges included in R&D expenses

     -1       —         411       432       188       -39  

Restructuring charges included in selling and administrative expenses

     14       15       170       162       149       5  

Operating expenses excluding restructuring charges

     -33,315       -15,961       -65,699       -48,115       -32,251       -15,577  

EBIT

     11,084       5,261       27,808       16,800       8,157       4,306  

Net sales

     104,719       49,778       232,390       162,800       105,328       49,750  

EBIT margin (% )

     10.6     10.6     12.0     10.3     7.7     8.7

EBIT

     11,084       5,261       27,808       16,800       8,157       4,306  

Total restructuring charges

     81       77       1,306       1,314       984       301  

EBIT excluding restructuring charges

     11,165       5,338       29,114       18,114       9,141       4,607  

Net sales

     104,719       49,778       232,390       162,800       105,328       49,750  

EBIT margin excluding restructuring charges(% )

     10.7     10.7     12.5     11.1     8.7     9.3

 

   
35    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Alternative performance measures


Table of Contents

EBITA and EBITA margin / EBITA and EBITA margin excluding restructuring charges

Earnings before interest, taxes, amortizations, write-downs of acquired intangibles and excluding restructuring charges also expressed as a percentage of net sales.+

EBITA and EBITA margin excluding restructuring charges has been added to the APM.

 

     2021     2020  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Net income

     3,900       3,168       7,192       5,566       2,585       2,280  

Taxes

     1,469       1,560       3,721       3,186       1,558       1,124  

Financial income and expenses, net

     454       533       95       -109       -292       902  

Amortizations and write-down sof acquired intangibles

     294       283       276       365       258       321  

EBITA

     6,117       5,544       11,284       9,008       4,109       4,627  

Net sales

     54,941       49,778       69,590       57,472       55,578       49,750  

EBITA m argin (% )

     11.1     11.1     16.2     15.7     7.4     9.3

Restructuring charges

     4       77       -8       330       683       301  

EBITA excluding restructuring charges

     6,121       5,621       11,276       9,338       4,792       4,928  

EBITA margin excluding restructuring charges(% )

     11.1     11.3     16.2     16.2     8.6     9.9

 

     2021     2020  

Year to date, SEK million

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

Net income

     7,068       3,168       17,623       10,431       4,865       2,280  

Taxes

     3,029       1,560       9,589       5,868       2,682       1,124  

Financial income and expenses, net

     987       533       596       501       610       902  

Amortizations and write-down sofacquired intangibles

     577       283       1,220       944       579       321  

EBITA

     11,661       5,544       29,028       17,744       8,736       4,627  

Net sales

     104,719       49,778       232,390       162,800       105,328       49,750  

EBITA margin (% )

     11.1     11.1     12.5     10.9     8.3     9.3

Restructuring charges

     81       77       1,306       1,314       984       301  

EBITA excluding restructuring charges

     11,742       5,621       30,334       19,058       9,720       4,928  

EBITA margin excluding restructuring charges(% )

     11.2     11.3     13.1     11.7     9.2     9.9

Rolling four quarters of net sales and EBIT margin excluding restructuring charges (%)

Net sales, EBIT margin and restructuring charges as a sum of last four quarters.

 

     2021     2020  

Rolling fourquarters,SEK m illion

   Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Net sales

     231,781       232,418       232,390       229,173       228,828       228,060  

EBIT

     30,735       28,763       27,808       22,925       10,086       9,974  

Restructuring charges

     403       1,082       1,306       1,641       1,458       893  

EBIT excl.restr. charges

     31,138       29,845       29,114       24,566       11,544       10,867  

EBIT margin excl. restr.charges(% )

     13.4     12.8     12.5     10.7     5.0     4.8

 

   
36    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Accounting policies and Explanatory notes


Table of Contents

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 borrowings (current and non-current).

 

     2021      2020  

SEK million

   Q2      Q1      Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Cash and cash equivalents

     43,273        40,543        43,612        48,774        45,655        48,347  

+ Interest-bearing securities, current

     12,855        4,599        6,820        5,552        5,739        7,834  

+ Interest-bearing securities, non-current

     20,998        23,477        21,613        23,898        24,025        23,335  

Gross cash, end of period

     77,126        68,619        72,045        78,224        75,419        79,516  

-Borrowings, current

     11,737        2,353        7,942        14,587        15,290        17,759  

-Borrowings, non-current

     21,673        23,299        22,218        22,132        22,581        23,381  

Net cash, end of period

     43,716        42,967        41,885        41,505        37,548        38,376  

Capital employed

Total assets less non-interest-bearing provisions and liabilities.

 

     2021      2020  

SEK million

   Q2      Q1      Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Total assets

     281,045        270,319        271,530        277,187        276,778        292,307  

Non-interest-bearing provisions and liabilities

                 

Provisions, non-current

     1,922        2,337        2,886        2,378        2,240        2,703  

Deferred tax liabilities

     975        1,049        1,089        1,102        1,164        1,060  

Other non-current liabilities

     1,596        1,326        1,383        1,759        1,813        2,178  

Provisions, current

     7,310        8,708        7,580        8,544        8,363        8,357  

Contract liabilities

     36,621        32,054        26,440        29,393        31,532        34,265  

Trade payables

     29,638        29,135        31,988        30,704        32,182        29,840  

Other current liabilities

     37,153        40,522        38,174        37,905        34,834        40,521  

Capital employed

     165,830        155,188        161,990        165,402        164,650        173,383  

Capital turnover

Annualized net sales divided by average capital employed.

Annualization factor of four is used for isolated quarter.

Annualization factor of four is used for Jan-Mar, two is used for Jan-Jun, 4/3 is used for Jan-Sep and one is used for Jan-Dec.

 

     2021      2020     

 

    

 

    

 

 

Isolated quarters,SEK million

   Q2      Q1      Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Net sales

     54,941        49,778        69,590        57,472        55,578        49,750  

Annualized net sales

     219,764        199,112        278,360        229,888        222,312        199,000  

Average capitalem ployed

                 

Capital employed at beginning of period

     155,188        161,990        165,402        164,650        173,383        165,273  

Capital employed at end of period

     165,830        155,188        161,990        165,402        164,650        173,383  

Average capital employed

     160,509        158,589        163,696        165,026        169,017        169,328  

Capital turnover (tim es)

     1.4        1.3        1.7        1.4        1.3        1.2  

 

     2021      2020  

Yearto date,SEK million

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

Net sales

     104,719        49,778        232,390        162,800        105,328        49,750  

Annualized net sales

     209,438        199,112        232,390        217,067        210,656        199,000  

Average capitalem ployed

                 

Capital employed at beginning of period

     161,990        161,990        165,273        165,273        165,273        165,273  

Capital employed at end of period

     165,830        155,188        161,990        165,402        164,650        173,383  

Average capital employed

     163,910        158,589        163,632        165,338        164,962        169,328  

Capital turnover (tim es)

     1.3        1.3        1.4        1.3        1.3        1.2  

 

 

   
37    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Accounting policies and Explanatory notes


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Return on capital employed

The annualized total of EBIT as a percentage of average capital employed.

Annualization factor of four is used for isolated quarter.

Annualization factor of four is used for Jan-Mar, two is used for Jan-Jun, 4/3 is used for Jan-Sep and one is used for Jan-Dec.

 

     2021     2020  

Isolated quarters,SEK million

   Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

EBIT

     5,823       5,261       11,008       8,643       3,851       4,306  

Annualized EBIT

     23,292       21,044       44,032       34,572       15,404       17,224  

Average capital employed

            

Capital employed at beginning of period

     155,188       161,990       165,402       164,650       173,383       165,273  

Capital employed at end of period

     165,830       155,188       161,990       165,402       164,650       173,383  

Average capital employed

     160,509       158,589       163,696       165,026       169,017       169,328  

Return on capital employed (% )

     14.5     13.3     26.9     20.9     9.1     10.2

 

     2021     2020  

Year to date,SEK million

   Jan-Jun     Jan-M ar     Jan-Dec     Jan-Sep     Jan-Jun     Jan-M ar  

EBIT

     11,084       5,261       27,808       16,800       8,157       4,306  

Annualized EBIT

     22,168       21,044       27,808       22,400       16,314       17,224  

Average capital employed

            

Capital employed at beginning of period

     161,990       161,990       165,273       165,273       165,273       165,273  

Capital employed at end of period

     165,830       155,188       161,990       165,402       164,650       173,383  

Average capital employed

     163,910       158,589       163,632       165,338       164,962       169,328  

Return on capital employed (% )

     13.5     13.3     17.0     13.5     9.9     10.2

Equity ratio

Equity expressed as a percentage of total assets.

 

     2021     2020  

SEK million

   Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Total equity

     91,695       88,124       85,177       82,485       78,472       79,113  

Total assets

     281,045       270,319       271,530       277,187       276,778       292,307  

Equity ratio (% )

     32.6     32.6     31.4     29.8     28.4     27.1

Return on equity

Annualized net income attributable to owners of the Parent Company as a percentage of average stockholders’ equity.

Annualization factor of four is used for isolated quarter.

Annualization factor of four is used for Jan-Mar, two is used for Jan-Jun, 4/3 is used for Jan-Sep and one is used for Jan-Dec.

 

     2021     2020  

Isolated quarters,SEK million

   Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Net income attributable to owners of the Parent Company

     3,679       3,187       7,522       5,353       2,452       2,156  

Annualized

     14,716       12,748       30,088       21,412       9,808       8,624  

Average stockholders’ equity

            

Stockholders’ equity, beginning of period

     89,782       86,674       82,830       79,005       79,841       82,559  

Stockholders’ equity, end of period

     93,331       89,782       86,674       82,830       79,005       79,841  

Average stockholders’ equity

     91,557       88,228       84,752       80,918       79,423       81,200  

Return on equity(% )

     16.1     14.4     35.5     26.5     12.3     10.6

 

     2021     2020  

Yearto date,SEK million

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

Net income attributable to owners of the Parent Company

     6,866       3,187       17,483       9,961       4,608       2,156  

Annualized

     13,732       12,748       17,483       13,281       9,216       8,624  

Average stockholders’ equity

            

Stockholders’ equity, beginning of period

     86,674       86,674       82,559       82,559       82,559       82,559  

Stockholders’ equity, end of period

     93,331       89,782       86,674       82,830       79,005       79,841  

Average stockholders’ equity

     90,003       88,228       84,617       82,695       80,782       81,200  

Return on equity(% )

     15.3     14.4     20.7     16.1     11.4     10.6

 

   
38    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Accounting policies and Explanatory notes


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Adjusted earnings per share

Adjusted earnings per share, diluted, excluding amortizations and write-downs of acquired intangible assets and excluding restructuring charges.

 

     2021      2020  

Isolated quarters, SEK

   Q2      Q1      Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Earnings per share, diluted

     1.10        0.96        2.26        1.61        0.74        0.65  

Restructuring charges

     0.00        0.02        0.01        0.08        0.14        0.07  

Amortizations and w rite-downs of acquired intangibles

     0.07        0.06        0.06        0.08        0.06        0.07  

Adjusted earnings per share

     1.17        1.04        2.33        1.77        0.94        0.79  

 

     2021      2020  

Yearto date, SEK

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

Earningspershare, diluted

     2.06        0.96        5.26        3.00        1.39        0.65  

Restructuring charges

     0.02        0.02        0.30        0.29        0.21        0.07  

Amortizations and write-downs of acquired intangibles

     0.13        0.06        0.27        0.21        0.13        0.07  

Adjusted earnings per share

     2.21        1.04        5.83        3.50        1.73        0.79  

Free cash flow before M&A / Free cash flow after M&A

Free cash flow before M&A: Cash flow from operating activities less net capital expenditures, other investments (excluding M&A) and repayment of lease liabilities.

Free cash flow after M&A: Cash flow from operating activities less net capital expenditures, other investments and repayment of

lease liabilities.

 

     2021      2020  

Isolated quarters,SEK million

   Q2      Q1      Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Cash flow from operating activities

     5,940        3,205        13,903        5,279        5,449        4,302  

Net capital expenditures and other investments(excl M &A)

                 

Investments in property, plant and equipment

     -1,007        -915        -1,090        -963        -1,327        -1,113  

Sales of property, plant and equipment

     17        24        104        55        69        26  

Product development

     -266        -204        -177        -167        -211        -262  

Other investing activities

     —          -5        668        301        -126        -42  

Repayment of lease liabilities

     -617        -548        -636        -567        -618        -596  

Free cash flow before M &A

     4,067        1,557        12,772        3,938        3,236        2,315  

Acquisitions/ divestments of subs and other operations, net

     -69        5        -9,256        -89        -45        -208  

Free cash flow after M &A

     3,998        1,562        3,516        3,849        3,191        2,107  

 

     2021      2020  

Yearto date,SEK million

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

Cash flow from operating activities

     9,145        3,205        28,933        15,030        9,751        4,302  

Net capital expenditures and other investments(excl M &A)

                 

Investments in property, plant and equipment

     -1,922        -915        -4,493        -3,403        -2,440        -1,113  

Sales of property, plant and equipment

     41        24        254        150        95        26  

Product development

     -470        -204        -817        -640        -473        -262  

Other investing activities

     -5        -5        801        133        -168        -42  

Repayment of lease liabilities

     -1,165        -548        -2,417        -1,781        -1,214        -596  

Free cash flow before M &A

     5,624        1,557        22,261        9,489        5,551        2,315  

Acquisitions/ divestments of subs and other operations, net

     -64        5        -9,598        -342        -253        -208  

Free cash flow after M &A

     5,560        1,562        12,663        9,147        5,298        2,107  

 

   
39    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Accounting policies and Explanatory notes


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Sales growth by segment adjusted for comparable units and currency

 

     2021     2020  

Isolated quarter, year over year change, percent

   Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Networks

     11     15     20     13     4     0

Digital Services

     0     3     3     -5     -5     -9

Managed Services

     -2     -8     -12     -9     -12     -5

Emerging Businessand Other¹)

     13     9     -4     2     -6     -8

Total¹

     8     10     13     7     0     -2

 

     2021     2020  

Year to date, year over year change, percent

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

Networks

     13     15     10     6     2     0

Digital Services

     1     3     -3     -6     -7     -9

Managed Services

     -5     -8     -10     -9     -9     -5

Emerging Businessand Other¹)

     11     9     -4     -4     -7     -8

Total¹)

     9     10     5     2     -1     -2

 

1) 

Adjusted for Cradlepoint acquisition in November 2020.

Sales growth by market area adjusted for comparable units and currency

 

     2021     2020  

Isolated quarter, year over year change, percent

   Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

South East Asia, Oceania and India

     14     21     13     11     -3     -6

North East Asia

     1     78     38     49     19     -1

North America

     11     10     21     6     1     5

Europe and Latin America

     14     12     4     -1     -6     -8

MiddleEastand Africa

     -10     -16     -17     -3     -5     4

Total

     8     10     13     7     0     -2

 

     2021     2020  

Year to date, year over year change, percent

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

South EastAsia,Oceania and India

     17     21     5     1     -4     -6

North EastAsia

     27     78     30     26     12     -1

North America

     11     10     8     4     3     5

Europe and Latin Am erica

     13     12     -2     -5     -7     -8

MiddleEastand Africa

     -13     -16     -6     -1     -1     4

Total

     9     10     5     2     -1     -2

 

   
40    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Accounting policies and Explanatory notes


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Gross margin by segment by quarter

 

     2021     2020  

Isolated quarters, as percentage of net sales

   Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Networks

     47.9     46.1     43.4     46.5     40.2     44.4

Digital Services

     37.9     43.5     40.9     43.4     43.6     39.9

Managed Services

     19.0     19.4     17.7     19.9     17.1     16.3

Emerging Business and Other

     37.9     36.6     35.3     32.0     12.6     21.7

Total

     43.4     42.8     40.6     43.1     37.6     39.8

 

     2021     2020  

Yearto date, as percentage of net sales

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

Networks

     47.0     46.1     43.6     43.7     42.2     44.4

Digital Services

     40.5     43.5     41.9     42.4     41.9     39.9

Managed Services

     19.2     19.4     17.8     17.8     16.7     16.3

Emerging Business and Other

     37.3     36.6     25.6     22.1     17.1     21.7

Total

     43.1     42.8     40.3     40.2     38.6     39.8

EBIT margin by segment by quarter

 

     2021     2020  

Isolated quarters, as percentage of net sales

   Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Networks

     21.7     20.0     21.5     22.0     13.2     16.6

Digital Services

     -19.9     -22.0     3.9     -6.8     -8.1     -19.3

Managed Services

     8.1     6.4     6.9     8.9     4.7     7.1

Emerging Business and Other

     -81.1     -44.4     -28.5     -26.7     -60.5     -32.7

Total

     10.6     10.6     15.8     15.0     6.9     8.7

 

     2021     2020  

Yearto date, as percentage of net sales

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

Networks

     20.9     20.0     18.6     17.4     14.8     16.6

Digital Services

     -20.9     -22.0     -5.9     -11.0     -13.3     -19.3

Managed Services

     7.3     6.4     6.9     6.9     5.9     7.1

Emerging Business and Other

     -64.3     -44.4     -37.0     -40.1     -46.8     -32.7

Total

     10.6     10.6     12.0     10.3     7.7     8.7

 

   
41    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Accounting policies and Explanatory notes


Table of Contents

Restructuring charges by function

 

     2021      2020  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q2      Q1      Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Cost of sales

     -6        -62        -5        -73        -312        -335  

Research and development expenses

     1        0        21        -244        -227        39  

Selling and administrative expenses

     1        -15        -8        -13        -144        -5  

Total

     -4        -77        8        -330        -683        -301  

 

     2021      2020  

Year to date, SEK million

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

Cost of sales

     -68        -62        -725        -720        -647        -335  

Research and development expenses

     1        0        -411        -432        -188        39  

Selling and administrative expenses

     -14        -15        -170        -162        -149        -5  

Total

     -81        -77        -1,306        -1,314        -984        -301  

Restructuring charges by segment

 

     2021      2020  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q2      Q1      Q4      Q3      Q2      Q1  

Networks

     -9        24        -19        -272        -380        -75  

of which cost of sales

     -1        24        -20        -79        -110        -72  

of which operating expenses

     -8        0        1        -193        -270        -3  

Digital Services

     -3        -8        14        -87        34        20  

of which cost of sales

     -2        -3        -10        -8        3        -16  

of which operating expenses

     -1        -5        24        -79        31        36  

Managed Services

     -1        -79        0        -11        -2        -245  

of which cost of sales

     0        -79        0        -11        -2        -245  

of which operating expenses

     -1        0        0        0        0        0  

Emerging Business and Other

     9        -14        13        40        -335        -1  

of which cost of sales

     -3        -4        25        25        -203        -2  

of which operating expenses

     12        -10        -12        15        -132        1  

Total

     -4        -77        8        -330        -683        -301  

 

     2021      2020  

Year to date, SEK million

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

Networks

     15        24        -746        -727        -455        -75  

of which cost of sales

     23        24        -281        -261        -182        -72  

of which operating expenses

     -8        0        -465        -466        -273        -3  

Digital Services

     -11        -8        -19        -33        54        20  

of which cost of sales

     -5        -3        -31        -21        -13        -16  

of which operating expenses

     -6        -5        12        -12        67        36  

Managed Services

     -80        -79        -258        -258        -247        -245  

of which cost of sales

     -79        -79        -258        -258        -247        -245  

of which operating expenses

     -1        0        0        0        0        0  

Emerging Business and Other

     -5        -14        -283        -296        -336        -1  

of which cost of sales

     -7        -4        -155        -180        -205        -2  

of which operating expenses

     2        -10        -128        -116        -131        1  

Total

     -81        -77        -1,306        -1,314        -984        -301  

 

   
42    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Accounting policies and Explanatory notes


Table of Contents

Gross income and gross margin excluding restructuring charges by segment

 

     2021     2020  

Isolated quarters,SEK m illion

   Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Netw orks

     19,112       16,690       21,450       19,454       16,132       15,658  

DigitalServices

     2,992       3,005       5,193       3,795       3,735       2,945  

M anaged Services

     975       1,021       1,031       1,104       957       1,178  

Em erging Businessand Other

     784       641       588       482       405       342  

Total

     23,863       21,357       28,262       24,835       21,229       20,123  
     2021     2020  

Isolated quarters,aspercentage ofnetsales

   Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Netw orks

     47.9     46.0     43.5     46.7     40.5     44.6

DigitalServices

     37.9     43.6     41.0     43.5     43.6     40.1

M anaged Services

     19.0     21.0     17.7     20.1     17.2     20.6

Em erging Businessand Other

     38.1     36.8     33.8     30.5     25.3     21.9

Total

     43.4     42.9     40.6     43.2     38.2     40.4
     2021     2020  

Yearto date,SEK m illion

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

Netw orks

     35,802       16,690       72,694       51,244       31,790       15,658  

DigitalServices

     5,997       3,005       15,668       10,475       6,680       2,945  

M anaged Services

     1,996       1,021       4,270       3,239       2,135       1,178  

Em erging Businessand Other

     1,425       641       1,817       1,229       747       342  

Total

     45,220       21,357       94,449       66,187       41,352       20,123  
     2021     2020  

Yearto date,aspercentage ofnetsales

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

Netw orks

     47.0     46.0     43.8     43.9     42.4     44.6

DigitalServices

     40.6     43.6     42.0     42.5     42.0     40.1

M anaged Services

     20.0     21.0     18.9     19.3     18.9     20.6

Em erging Businessand Other

     37.5     36.8     28.0     25.9     23.6     21.9

Total

     43.2     42.9     40.6     40.7     39.3     40.4

 

   
43    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Accounting policies and Explanatory notes


Table of Contents

EBIT and EBIT margin excluding restructuring charges by segment

 

     2021     2020  

Isolated quarters,SEK million

   Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Networks

     8,653       7,217       10,623       9,437       5,635       5,902  

Digital Services

     -1,565       -1,510       485       -504       -731       -1,437  

Managed Services

     417       392       401       502       265       653  

Emerging Business and Other

     -1,678       -761       -509       -462       -635       -511  

Total

     5,827       5,338       11,000       8,973       4,534       4,607  
     2021     2020  

Isolated quarters, as percentage of net sales

   Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Networks

     21.7     19.9     21.5     22.7     14.1     16.8

Digital Services

     -19.8     -21.9     3.8     -5.8     -8.5     -19.6

Managed Services

     8.1     8.1     6.9     9.1     4.8     11.4

Emerging Business and Other

     -81.5     -43.7     -29.3     -29.2     -39.6     -32.7

Total

     10.6     10.7     15.8     15.6     8.2     9.3
     2021     2020  

Year to date, SEK million

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

Networks

     15,870       7,217       31,597       20,974       11,537       5,902  

Digital Services

     -3,075       -1,510       -2,187       -2,672       -2,168       -1,437  

Managed Services

     809       392       1,821       1,420       918       653  

Emerging Business and Other

     -2,439       -761       -2,117       -1,608       -1,146       -511  

Total

     11,165       5,338       29,114       18,114       9,141       4,607  
     2021     2020  

Year to date, as percentage of net sales

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

Networks

     20.8     19.9     19.0     18.0     15.4     16.8

Digital Services

     -20.8     -21.9     -5.9     -10.8     -13.6     -19.6

Managed Services

     8.1     8.1     8.1     8.5     8.1     11.4

Emerging Business and Other

     -64.2     -43.7     -32.6     -33.9     -36.2     -32.7

Total

     10.7     10.7     12.5     11.1     8.7     9.3

Rolling four quarters of net sales by segment

 

    

2021

  

2020

Rolling four quarters, SEK million

  

Q2

  

Q1

  

Q4

  

Q3

  

Q2

  

Q1

Networks

   167,174    167,126    165,978    161,060    158,662    156,654

Digital Services

   36,189    36,877    37,324    37,821    38,969    39,385

Managed Services

   21,297    21,751    22,600    23,812    24,673    25,423

Emerging Business and Other

   7,121    6,664    6,488    6,480    6,524    6,598

Total

   231,781    232,418    232,390    229,173    228,828    228,060

Rolling four quarters of EBIT margin excluding restructuring charges by segment (%)

 

    

2021

  

2020

Rolling four quarters, SEK million

  

Q2

  

Q1

  

Q4

  

Q3

  

Q2

  

Q1

Networks

   21.5%    19.7%    19.0%    17.0%    15.9%    16.1%

Digital Services

   -8.5%    -6.1%    -5.9%    -7.0%    -6.8%    -8.2%

Managed Services

   8.0%    7.2%    8.1%    7.4%    7.4%    6.9%

Emerging Business and Other

   -47.9%    -35.5%    -32.6%    -30.5%    -196.5%    -195.5%

Total

   13.4%    12.8%    12.5%    10.7%    5.0%    4.8%

 

   
44    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Accounting policies and Explanatory notes


Table of Contents

EBITA and EBITA margin by segment by quarter

 

     2021     2020  

Isolated quarters, SEK million

   Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Networks

     8,679       7,274       10,636       9,347       5,321       5,957  

Digital Services

     -1,445       -1,400       625       -461       -563       -1,283  

Managed Services

     417       314       403       492       264       409  

Emerging Business and Other

     -1,534       -644       -380       -370       -913       -456  

Total

     6,117       5,544       11,284       9,008       4,109       4,627  
     2021     2020  

Isolated quarters, as percentage of net sales

   Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  

Networks

     21.8     20.1     21.5     22.4     13.4     17.0

Digital Services

     -18.3     -20.3     4.9     -5.3     -6.6     -17.5

Managed Services

     8.1     6.5     6.9     8.9     4.7     7.2

Emerging Business and Other

     -74.5     -37.0     -21.9     -23.4     -57.0     -29.1

Total

     11.1     11.1     16.2     15.7     7.4     9.3
     2021     2020  

Year to date, SEK million

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

Networks

     15,953       7,274       31,261       20,625       11,278       5,957  

Digital Services

     -2,845       -1,400       -1,682       -2,307       -1,846       -1,283  

Managed Services

     731       314       1,568       1,165       673       409  

Emerging Business and Other

     -2,178       -644       -2,119       -1,739       -1,369       -456  

Total

     11,661       5,544       29,028       17,744       8,736       4,627  
     2021     2020  

Year to date, as percentage of net sales

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

Networks

     20.9     20.1     18.8     17.7     15.0     17.0

Digital Services

     -19.2     -20.3     -4.5     -9.4     -11.6     -17.5

Managed Services

     7.3     6.5     6.9     6.9     6.0     7.2

Emerging Business and Other

     -57.3     -37.0     -32.7     -36.6     -43.2     -29.1

Total

     11.1     11.1     12.5     10.9     8.3     9.3

Other ratios

 

     Q2      Jan-Jun  
     2021      2020      2021      2020  

Days sales outstanding

     —          —          94        80  

Inventory turn over days

     89        85        90        89  

Payable days

     86        82        94        88  

 

   
45    Ericsson | Second quarter report 2021    Accounting policies and Explanatory notes