Interim Results
19 January 2004 - 6:35PM
UK Regulatory
Sony Ericsson reports profit and continued growth in the fourth
quarter
Tokyo and Stockholm, January 19 -- Sony and Ericsson today announced
the consolidated financial summary for the fourth quarter, ended
December 31, 2003 of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony
Ericsson), the 50:50 joint venture of Sony and Ericsson. The company
reported continued growth in sales and shipments in the fourth
quarter. During the quarter the company started shipping a variety of
new products to further enhance and diversify its product portfolio
in the GSM and Japanese markets.
Units shipped in the quarter reached 8.0 million, which is 13% higher
than the same period last year. Sales for the quarter were Euro 1,437
million, representing year-on-year increase of 16%. Income before
taxes was Euro 46 million which includes restructuring charges of
Euro 9 million, relating to the final phase of previously announced
restructuring of the American CDMA business and the GSM development
unit in Munich, Germany. Net income was Euro 43 million, which
represents year-on-year improvements of Euro 112 million. This
reflects the continued success of the T610 series, successful
introduction of new products in Japan, and the launch of both
high-end and entry-level phones for GSM markets.
In 2003, units shipped reached 27.2 million, which is 19% higher than
previous year. Sales for the year were Euro 4,673 million,
representing an increase of 12% compared to 2002. Income before taxes
was Euro -130 million which includes restructuring charges of Euro 63
million. The strategic focus areas of GSM and Japanese standards
posted a 50% and 15% year-on-year growth in shipments respectively.
"We are pleased to announce another quarter of profit and a strong
second half of the year. Following restructuring in the first half of
the year, we have established a more solid operational platform. 2003
has seen Sony Ericsson further establish itself as an innovative and
exciting new brand. We are optimistic that we can build on the
success of the second half of 2003 with exciting new products like
the P900, T630, T230 and our first two clamshell phones, the Z600 and
Z200, as well as innovative products for the Japanese market." says
Katsumi Ihara, President of Sony Ericsson.
Q4 2002 Q3 2003 Q4 2003 2002 2003
Number of units shipped (million) 7,1 7,1 8,0 22,9 27,2
Sales (EUOR m.) 1235 1305 1437 4176 4673
Income before taxes (EURO m.) -77 39 46 -291 -130
Net income (EURO m.) -69 62 43 -241 -86
Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB offers mobile communications
products for people who appreciate the possibilities of powerful
technology. Established in 2001 by Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
and Sony Corporation, the joint venture continues to build on the
success of its two innovative parent companies. Sony Ericsson creates
value for its operator customers by bringing new ways of using
multimedia communications while mobile. The company's management is
based in London, and has 4,000 employees across the globe working on
research, development, design, sales, marketing, distribution and
support.
For further information, please visit: www.SonyEricsson.com
CONTACTS:
Investors/Analysts
Ericsson Investor Relations
Gary Pinkham, Vice President +46 8 719 0000
Sony Investor Relations
Yukio Ozawa, Vice President (Tokyo) +81 3 5448 2180; or
Chris Hohman, Senior Manager (London) +44 20 7444 9711
Press/Media
Ericsson External Relations
Pia Gideon, Vice President +46 8 719 2864
Sony Corporate Communications
Kei Sakaguchi, General Manager (Tokyo) +81 3 5448 2200
Gerald Cavanagh, (Tokyo) +81 3 5448 2200
Georges Gerard, General Manager (London) +44 207 444 9722
Sony Ericsson Corporate Communications
Nina Eldh, Corporate Vice President +44 (0) 7774 125 638
Corporate Communications Dept. +44 208 762 5858
E-mail: info@SonyEricsson.com
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve
inherent risks and uncertainties. We have identified certain
important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially
from those contained in such forward-looking statements. For a
detailed description of risk factors see Sony's and Ericsson's
filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly
each company's latest published Annual Report on Form 20-F.
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