ERIXF Telefon AB LM Ericsson Sweden (PK)

For the third consecutive quarter we showed organic sales growth ¹ ), this quarter by 7%. Growth was mainly driven by North America. Our strategy, to work with lead customers in lead markets, is generating both 5G business and hands-on experience in 5G rollout and commercialization. To date we have publicly announced commercial 5G deals with 18 named operator customers, which, at the moment, is more than any other vendor.

5G services, including mobility, have been launched in South Korea and North America. While Switzerland has released spectrum allowing Swisscom to offer commercial 5G services, using our equipment, the development in other parts of Europe is considerably slower primarily due to lack of spectrum, poor investment climate and additional uncertainties related to future vendor market access.

Gross margin ² ) improved to 38.5% (35.9%) YoY, driven by improvements in segments Networks and Managed Services, and also by the recently signed patent license agreement with OPPO.

Segment Networks had a strong quarter with an organic sales growth ¹ ) of 10% YoY, driven by increased investments in North America. Networks gross margin ² ) improved to 43.2% (40.4%) YoY, mainly due to higher hardware capacity sales and IPR revenues. In the quarter we announced our intent to acquire the German company Kathrein’s antenna and filters business. This will further expand our capabilities in the advanced active and passive antenna domains, which are growing in importance as 5G evolves.

In Managed Services, sales fell organically ¹ ) by -5% due to headwind from contract exits. In the quarter, our Operations Engine was launched with good response from our customers. Gross margin ² ) improved to 17.7% (9.1%) YoY, supported by efficiency gains and customer contract reviews. Excluding a non-recurrent positive effect of SEK 0.7 b. from a customer settlement, the operating margin ² ) was 8.6%, exceeding the higher range of our financial target for 2020.

Organic sales ¹ ) in Digital Services were stable YoY. We continue to see a good business momentum for the new portfolio of 5G-ready and cloud-native products, with many important contract wins in the quarter. Gross margin excluding restructuring charges and the BSS provision in Q4 2018 ³ ) was stable QoQ and operating income ² ) improved YoY driven by reductions in operating expenses. Gross margin ² ) declined YoY as Q1 2018 was supported by a favorable business mix. We continue to execute on our plan to turn the Digital Services business around. Implementation of the revised BSS strategy, announced in January 2019, is progressing well.

Organic sales growth ¹ ) in segment Emerging Business and Other was 38% YoY driven by growth in iconectiv. Gross margin ² ) was stable YoY. In the quarter 51% of MediaKind was divested, generating a gain of SEK 0.7 b. In segment Emerging Business and Other we invest in initiatives that aim to scale and help create future business for Ericsson. With the exception of iconectiv, the portfolio is still in an early phase. We are also incurring extra costs as we restructure some of the older innovation investments.

Driven by improved earnings, free cash flow excluding M&A amounted to SEK 4.1 (0.7) b. in the quarter and with a strong cash position we are well positioned to grow the company in a profitable way.

As previously disclosed, we have been voluntarily cooperating since 2013 with an investigation by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and, since 2015, with an investigation by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) into Ericsson’s compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). We continue to cooperate with the SEC and the DOJ, and have recently begun settlement discussions. These discussions are in a very early stage and therefore we are not able to estimate their length. Further, as this is an ongoing legal matter we cannot provide any detail. However, based on the current status of the discussions it is our assessment that the resolution of these matters will result in material financial and other measures, the magnitude and impact of which cannot be reliably estimated or ascertained at this time.

As previously communicated, we continue to take strategic contracts and incur costs for 5G field trials and, in addition, by end of 2019 we expect large-scale deployments of 5G to commence in parts of Asia. Combined, this will gradually impact short-term margins but strengthen our position in the long term. The impact of strategic contracts and 5G field trials was limited in Q1. The 5G market is gaining momentum and we are well positioned to capture opportunities. We will continue to make substantial investments in R&D, especially in 5G, automation and AI. This is a key part of our focused strategy to strengthen our long-term business and path to reaching our targets for 2020 and 2022.

Börje Ekholm

President and CEO

Ericsson related

Net sales

Gross margin

Operating expenses

Restructuring charges and Tax

Currency exposure

Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency increased by 7% YoY, driven by growth in Networks. Networks sales adjusted for comparable units and currency increased by 10% YoY, with strong sales growth in North America and in North East Asia. Digital Services sales adjusted for comparable units and currency were flat YoY. Managed Services sales adjusted for comparable units and currency declined by -5% YoY, as a result of exited contracts. Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency in Emerging Business and Other increased by 38% YoY, driven by iconectiv.

Reported sales for the Group increased by 13% YoY.

Sequentially, sales as well as sales adjusted for comparable units and currency declined following a seasonally strong Q4.

IPR licensing revenues

IPR licensing revenues increased to SEK 2.5 (1.9) b. YoY and sequentially from SEK 2.1 b. The YoY increase was mainly due to new contracts signed and currency effects from a stronger USD versus SEK.

Gross margin

Gross margin increased to 38.4% (34.2%). Gross margin excluding restructuring charges increased to 38.5% (35.9%), driven mainly by improvements in Networks and Managed Services. Higher IPR licensing revenues and progress in customer contract reviews in Managed Services had a positive impact on gross margin YoY.

Sequentially, gross margin increased to 38.4% from 25.7%. Gross margin excluding restructuring charges increased to 38.5% from 32.0%, with improvements in all segments.

Operating expenses

R&D expenses increased to SEK -9.2 (-9.1) b. mainly due to currency effects. R&D expenses increased in both Networks and Managed Services while it decreased in Digital Services as well as in Emerging Business and Other. The net impact from capitalized and amortized R&D expenses was SEK 0.0 (-0.4) b.

Selling and administrative (SG&A) expenses decreased to SEK -6.0 (-6.2) b. YoY despite a negative impact from currency effects.

Impairment losses on trade receivables were positive at SEK 0.6 (0.0) b., due to a reversal of a provision for impairment of trade receivables following customer payments of SEK 0.7 b.

Other operating income and expenses

Other operating income and expenses increased YoY to SEK 0.8 (0.1) b. and sequentially from SEK -0.3 b., mainly due to capital gains related to the divestment of 51% of MediaKind and the divestment of assets in Red Bee Media.

Restructuring charges

Restructuring charges decreased to SEK -0.2 (-1.2) b. YoY.

Operating income and margin

Operating income and margin, excluding restructuring of SEK -0.2 b. and certain non-recurrent items of SEK 1.6 b., improved YoY to SEK 3.5 (0.9) b. and 7.2% (2.0%) respectively. The above non-recurrent items are a capital gain related to the divestment of 51% of MediaKind (SEK 0.7 b.), divestment of certain assets in Red Bee Media (SEK 0.1 b.) and a reversal of a provision for impairment of trade receivables following customer payment (SEK 0.7 b.)

Reported operating income and margin improved to SEK 4.9 (-0.3) b. and 10.0% (-0.7%) respectively. Implementation of IFRS 16 improved operating income by SEK 0.1 b.

Sequentially, operating income and margin improved to SEK 4.9 b. from SEK -1.9 b. and to 10.0% from -2.9% respectively. Operating income excluding restructuring charges improved to SEK 5.1 b. from SEK 2.6 b. supported by capital gains of SEK 0.8 b. and of the reversal of the provision in trade receivables of SEK 0.7 b.

In Q4 2018, operating income was significantly impacted by negative effects of costs related to the revised BSS strategy.

Financial net

The negative financial net increased to SEK -0.6 (-0.5) b. and improved sequentially from SEK -0.7 b. The currency hedge effects, which derive from the hedge loan balance in USD, impacted financial net by SEK -0.2 (-0.1) b. The SEK weakened against the USD between December 31, 2018 (SEK/USD rate 8.94) and March 31, 2019 (SEK/USD rate 9.26). In the quarter, interest expenses on financial leases were SEK -0.1 (0.0) b. as an effect of IFRS 16 implementation.

Taxes

Taxes were SEK -1.9 (0.1) b., equal to a tax rate of 44%. The rate is a result of forecasted geographical distribution of profits for 2019.

Net income (loss) and EPS

Net income increased to SEK 2.4 (-0.7) b. and EPS diluted increased to SEK 0.70 (-0.25) YoY.

Employees

The number of employees on March 31, 2019, was 94,580, a net decrease of 779 employees in the quarter. The employee reduction is related to the 51% divestment of MediaKind.

South East Asia, Oceania and India

Sales decreased YoY, primarily in Digital Services, due to timing of project deliveries and milestones. Network sales increased slightly YoY, mainly in South East Asia. Managed Services sales increased YoY, mainly as a result of a new contract won in 2018.

North East Asia

Sales increased YoY, primarily driven by Networks sales with 5G deliveries in South Korea and continued 4G deployment in Mainland China. Digital Services sales declined slightly YoY due to timing of project deliveries. Trials for 5G continue in Mainland China and Japan.

North America

Sales increased, primarily driven by 4G and 5G investments by all major customers. Managed Services sales grew YoY, driven by strong variable sales in large customer contracts.

Europe and Latin America

Sales increased YoY driven by positive impact of earlier announced contract wins in Europe. Managed Services sales declined as a consequence of contract exits.

Middle East and Africa

Sales declined YoY. Networks sales declined due to timing of investments. There is however high interest in 5G in the Middle East and several new contracts have been signed. Digital Services sales grew following high project-milestone fulfillment. Managed Services sales declined due to exit of contracts.

Other

Sales increased YoY, mainly driven by growth in IPR licensing revenues and iconectiv (part of segment Emerging Business and Other) partly offset by divestment of MediaKind. IPR licensing revenues amounted to SEK 2.5 (1.9) b., supported by a new contract signed and currency effects of a stronger USD versus SEK.

Net sales

Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency increased by 10% YoY. The increase is mainly due to strong growth in North America and North East Asia, driven by 4G and 5G investments.

Reported sales increased by 17% YoY.

Gross margin

Gross margin increased to 43.2% (38.9%) YoY. Gross margin excluding restructuring charges increased to 43.2% (40.4%) driven by higher sales of hardware capacity and higher IPR licensing revenues.

Gross margin increased to 43.2% from 39.9% QoQ. The increase was due to higher IPR licensing revenues, lower restructuring charges and lower negative impact from strategic contracts. The strategic contracts are taken to strengthen the market position and their negative impact on gross margin may vary between quarters.

Operating income and margin

Operating income increased to SEK 5.5 (3.4) b. YoY and operating margin improved to 16.3% (11.8%). The improvement was mainly driven by higher sales and higher gross margin. In addition, the total impact from amortization and capitalization of development expenses and from recognition and deferral of hardware costs contributed with SEK 0.3 (-0.2) b. to operating income.

Strategy execution

As presented at the 2018 Capital Markets Day, the target for Networks is to generate an operating margin of 15%-17% (excluding restructuring charges) by 2020. Four important ongoing strategic activities are to:

At the close of the quarter Ericsson had announced commercial 5G deals with 18 named operators. The market share of Ericsson RAN equipment has improved to 29.2% in 2018 compared with 28.7% for 2017, according to Dell’Oro’s report from February 2019.

As antenna technology is growing in importance, Ericsson announced plans to expand its Ericsson Radio System portfolio with new products and to strengthen its in-house competence and capabilities in antenna technology, through an acquisition of Kathrein’s antenna and filter business.

Net sales

Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency were stable YoY. Reported sales increased by 8% YoY with growth in North America, partly offset by lower sales in India. Sales in Operations Support Systems (OSS) and Cloud Core increased but were partly offset by lower sales in Business Support Systems (BSS).

Gross margin

Gross margin decreased to 36.8% (39.8%) YoY. Gross margin excluding restructuring charges declined to 37.6% (42.9%). Gross margin in Q1 2018 was strong, supported by a favorable business mix.

Gross margin increased to 36.8% from -9.5% QoQ. Provisions related to the revised BSS strategy had a significant negative impact on gross margin in Q4 2018. Gross margin excluding restructuring and these provisions was stable QoQ.

Operating income (loss)

Operating income was SEK -1.8 (-2.6) b. Operating income excluding restructuring charges was SEK -1.6 (-2.0) b., with a positive impact from reduced operating expenses. Operating expenses excluding restructuring charges decreased by SEK 0.6 b. YoY despite adverse currency effects.

Strategy execution

Top priority for Digital Services is to turn the segment into a profitable business, targeting low single-digit operating margin by 2020 (excluding restructuring charges). The positive business momentum for the new portfolio of 5G-ready and cloud-native products continued, with several important contract wins in the quarter.

The implementation of the revised BSS strategy, announced in January 2019, is progressing according to plan. Measures across service delivery and R&D are being implemented with the target to have all activities concluded by mid-2019. The measures aim to materially contribute to reduced losses in BSS already in 2019, and de-risk the plan for Digital Services to reach the 2020 financial target.

New ways of working to further improve R&D efficiency as well as investments in the portfolio of 5G-ready and cloud-native products will continue in order to defend the current market position and prepare Digital Services for future profitable growth.

A key activity for turnaround of the Digital Services business is to complete, renegotiate or exit 45 identified critical and non-strategic customer contracts. Two contracts were addressed in the quarter, and a total of 25 contracts have been addressed to date. The plan is to have completed 75% of the 45 contracts by the end of 2019. The sales shift towards the new portfolio continues. The rolling 12 months sales of the new portfolio increased by 6%.

Net sales

Sales adjusted for comparable units and currency decreased by -5% YoY due to customer contract exits. Sales in Network Design & Optimization (project business) and in Managed Services IT & ADM showed growth. Variable sales in certain large Managed Services Networks contracts increased in the quarter.

Reported sales decreased by -1% YoY.

Gross margin

Gross margin increased to 17.7% (8.3%) YoY, mainly as a result of customer contract exits and efficiencies as well as lower restructuring charges.

Gross margin increased to 17.7% from 11.4% QoQ, driven by seasonally lower costs following high costs in Q4 2018, a shift of resources and costs to R&D and lower restructuring charges.

Operating income and margin

Operating income increased to SEK 1.3 (0.1) b. YoY. The improvement was partly driven by reversal of a provision for impairment of trade receivables of SEK 0.7 (0.0) b. A higher gross margin also contributed positively to the operating income increase YoY. Excluding the provision reversal (SEK 0.7 b.), operating margin was 8.6%.

Strategy execution

AI and automation are essential to managing the increasing complexity of current and future networks. These capabilities are evolving operations from being network centric, towards being userexperience centric. To address and lead this evolution, Ericsson has launched a new Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based managed services offering for operators – the Ericsson Operations Engine. This AI-based offering addresses this increasing network complexity, including operators’ need to handle growing volumes of devices, multiple technologies (4G, 5G, IoT), and more diverse service requirements.

Further investments will be made in automation, analytics and AI-driven offerings, to support 5G, IoT and cloud as well as to increase service delivery efficiency.

As presented at the 2018 Capital Markets Day, the ambition for Managed Services is to improve operating margin to 5%-8% (excluding restructuring charges) in 2020.

Net sales

Sales adjusted for comparable units (adjusted for the divestment of MediaKind) and currency increased by 38% YoY. The increase was driven by iconectiv, mainly due to a number portability contract in United States for which deliveries started in May 2018.

Reported sales increased by 6% YoY.

Gross margin

Gross margin increased to 23.4% (21.1%) YoY. Gross margin excluding restructuring charges declined to 23.5% (24.3%) due to the divestment of 51% of MediaKind.

Gross margin increased QoQ to 23.4% from 9.3%. Gross margin excluding restructuring charges increased to 23.5% from 17.1% with improvements in Emerging Business, Red Bee Media and iconectiv.

Operating income (loss)

Operating income improved to SEK 0.0 (-1.2) b. YoY. Operating income excluding restructuring charges improved to SEK 0.0 (-1.1) b. A capital gain of SEK 0.8 b. impacted operating income positively. In addition, growth in iconectiv had a positive impact on income YoY.

Media Solutions (MediaKind and transaction-related costs etc.) operating income excluding restructuring was SEK 0.4 b., driven by a capital gain of SEK 0.7 b. from the MediaKind divestment. The operating income was also impacted by losses of SEK -0.3 b., including certain non-recurrent costs.

A capital gain related to divestment of certain assets in Red Bee Media had a positive impact on income.

Strategy execution

Emerging Business

Selective investments, disciplined governance and a lean-startup approach have been implemented in Emerging Business to build a position and grow sales in new areas. The portfolio is still in an early phase, with focus on generating sales and scaling the business. The offering “Ericsson Industry Connect” was launched to strengthen Ericsson’s portfolio for private networks by making 4G and 5G technologies accessible to new industrial markets. The main go-to-market model is via mobile operators, leveraging access to licensed spectrum.

Red Bee Media

The target to achieve a sustainable profitable business remains, by continuing to develop and manage the business as an independent and focused media services entity within Ericsson. Certain assets were divested in the quarter, supporting the Red Bee Media strategy of focusing on delivering market-leading managed services within broadcasting and media.

Media Solutions

51% of the MediaKind business was divested February 1, 2019. After the transaction, Ericsson carries 49% of the MediaKind results as “share in earnings of JV and associated companies”. Actions taken are expected to result in improved sales and cost structures in the second half of 2019.

Operating activities

Net income reconciled to cash was SEK 5.5 (-1.0) b. mainly driven by improved profitability, and supported by a reversal of a provision for impairment of trade receivables of SEK 0.7 b. following customer payment. Cash flow from operating activities was SEK 5.8 (1.6) b. and includes SEK 0.3 b. in changes in operating net assets.

Inventory increased due to high business activity while trade receivables decreased on the back of the seasonally high sales in Q4. Provisions decreased in the quarter. Out of the SEK 6.1 b. provision related to reshaping the BSS business in Q4 2018, SEK 3.1 b. was reclassified as other current liabilities in the quarter, of which SEK 1.6 b. was paid out. Cash outlays related to other provisions were SEK 1.7 (2.2) b. of which SEK 0.6 (1.4) b. were restructuring charges. Total cash outlays for 2019, related to the balance for provisions as of December 31, 2018, are estimated to be SEK 10 b., of which cash outlays in the quarter were SEK 3.3 b.

Investing activities

Cash flow from investing activities was SEK 3.3 (-1.8) b. supported by SEK 4.7 b. of sale of interest-bearing securities (i.e. government/ mortgage bonds). Cash flow related to M&A was SEK 0.3 (-0.4) b., mainly as a result of the divestment of 51% of MediaKind. Cash flow from investments in property, plant and equipment was SEK -1.3 (-0.9) b., following investments in test equipment. Cash flow from capitalized development expenses was SEK -0.5 (-0.3) b. following increased 5G R&D activities.

Financing activities

Cash flow from financing activities was SEK -2.6 (-0.1) b. of which the main part relates to payment of dividends of SEK -1.0 b. and repayment of loans of SEK -1.8 b. to a minority shareholder in one of the subsidiaries.

Free cash flow

Free cash flow excluding M&A was SEK 4.1 (0.7) b. and free cash flow including M&A was SEK 4.4 (0.3) b., supported by the divestment of 51% of MediaKind.

Effects from implementation of IFRS 16 “Leases”

Cash flow from operating activities was positively impacted by SEK

0.6 b. Financing activities were negatively impacted by amortization of the leasing liability of the same amount. These effects generated a free cash flow that was positively impacted by SEK 0.6 b. through the implementation of IFRS 16.

Gross cash increased by SEK 2.7 b. as a result of the positive free cash flow. Net cash increased by SEK 0.2 b. in the quarter, impacted by revaluation of borrowings due to changes in foreign exchange rates and interest rates. Gross cash was SEK 71.7 b. and net cash was SEK 36.1 b. Net cash does not include lease liabilities.

Liability for post-employments benefits increased in the quarter, to SEK 30.7 b. from SEK 28.7 b., due to lower interest rates. The Swedish defined benefit obligation (DBO) was calculated using a discount rate based on the yields of Swedish government bonds. If the discount rate had been based on Swedish covered mortgage bonds, the liability for post-employment benefits would have been approximately SEK 10.2 b. lower as of March 31, 2019.

The average maturity of long-term borrowings as of March 31, 2019, was 3.1 years, a decrease from 4.1 years 12 months earlier.

Income after financial items was SEK -0.12 (0.37) b.

At the end of the quarter, gross cash (cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and interest-bearing securities non-current) amounted to SEK 60.6 (52.3) b.

In the quarter, a dividend of SEK 3.3 b. was recognized, as anticipated, after decision by the Annual General Meeting on the 27th of March. The dividend was paid out in the first week of April.

There was a decrease in intercompany lending of SEK 10.7 b. and in intercompany borrowing of SEK 24.9 b. in the quarter.

In the quarter, there was an increase of SEK 1.2 b. in associated companies due to an acquisition of 49% of shares in company Leone Media Inc. (MediaKind).

In accordance with the conditions of the long-term variable compensation program (LTV) for Ericsson employees, 4,434,772 shares from treasury stock were sold or distributed to employees during the first quarter. The holding of treasury stock at March 31, 2019, was 32,622,267 Class B shares.

Ericsson completed divestment of majority stake in MediaKind

On February 1, 2019 Ericsson announced that it had closed the divestment of its MediaKind business to the private equity firm One Equity Partners. As previously announced, One Equity Partners is the majority owner, while Ericsson retains 49% of the shares after the transaction on January 31, 2019.

Ericsson to acquire Kathrein’s antenna and filters business

On February 25, 2019 Ericsson announced that it intends to acquire Kathrein’s antenna and filter business. The acquisition will include Kathrein’s antenna and filter business for mobile networks and will add around 4,000 professionals in R&D, production, and sales.

The acquisition is an asset deal where certain assets and liabilities are acquired by Ericsson at closing, which is expected in Q3 2019. The business will be added as a separate unit in Business Area Networks and will be reported in Segment Networks, with a positive contribution to 2020 profitability targets. Preliminary and unaudited revenues from the part of Kathrein to be acquired were approximately EUR 270 million in 2018, excluding sales to Ericsson. The parties have agreed to keep the purchase price undisclosed.

The closing of the acquisition is subject to customary conditions and approvals from relevant regulatory authorities.

Ericsson announced changes to Executive Team

On March 12, 2019, Ericsson announced that Rafiah Ibrahim would leave her position as Senior Vice President and Head of Market Area Middle East & Africa and take on a role as advisor to CEO Börje Ekholm. Rafiah Ibrahim, who has held her current position since April 1, 2017, will assume her new role effective August 31, 2019. She will leave the Ericsson Executive Team effective the same date.

Resolutions at the AGM

On March 27, 2019, Ericsson held its AGM in Kista, Stockholm. The proposed dividend of SEK 1.00 per share was approved by the AGM.

In accordance with the proposal of the Nomination Committee, Ronnie Leten was re-elected as Chair of the Board and Jon Fredrik Baksaas, Jan Carlson, Nora Denzel, Börje Ekholm, Eric A. Elzvik, Kurt Jofs, Ronnie Leten, Kristin S. Rinne, Helena Stjernholm and Jacob Wallenberg were re-elected as Board members.

In accordance with the Board of Directors’ proposal, the AGM resolved to approve the Guidelines for remuneration to Group Management and the implementation of a Long-Term Variable Compensation Program 2019 for members of the Executive Team.

Ongoing litigation with Intellectual Ventures

The company Intellectual Ventures (IV) has previously filed a number of patent infringement lawsuits in the United States accusing Ericsson and some of Ericsson’s U.S. customers of patent infringement. In February 2019, in one of the lawsuits in the Eastern District of Texas, a jury awarded IV damages of USD 43 million in one of those lawsuits. Ericsson disagrees with the jury’s verdict and intends to appeal. Separately, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board has instituted a review of the patents that were the subject of the February 2019 trial, following its finding that there is a reasonable likelihood that those patents are unpatentable. The next case in the Eastern District of Texas is currently set to go to trial in May 2019. As a result of the lawsuits filed by IV, Ericsson may be required to indemnify its customers and/or pay IV damages.

POST-CLOSING EVENTS

Investigation into Ericsson’s patent licensing practices in China

On April 11, 2019, Ericsson was informed by the Chinese SAMR (State Administration for Market Regulation) Anti-Monopoly Bureau that they have initiated an investigation into Ericsson’s patent licensing practices in China. Ericsson is cooperating with the investigation.

Over the past decades, Ericsson has made substantial investments in technology research and standards development in the mobile industry. These consistent investments in R&D have made Ericsson a leading innovator and the driving force in the creation of each new generation of cellular technology.

In order to provide access to its patented technology to others, and also to get a fair return on its heavy investments, Ericsson has a patent licensing program that offers licenses to implementers of the cellular standards on FRAND (Fair, Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory) terms and conditions. Ericsson has always been committed to these FRAND principles, as they ensure a balance between contributors to the standards and implementers of the technology, thus accelerating the development and adoption of new technologies in our industry.

SEC and DOJ inquiries

As previously disclosed, Ericsson has been voluntarily cooperating since 2013 with an investigation by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and, since 2015, with an investigation by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) into Ericsson’s compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The Company continues to cooperate with the SEC and the DOJ, and has recently begun settlement discussions. These discussions are in a very early stage and therefore the Company is not able to estimate their length. Further, as this is an ongoing legal matter Ericsson cannot provide any detail. However, based on the current status of the discussions, it is the Company’s assessment that the resolution of these matters will result in material financial and other measures, the magnitude and impact of which cannot be reliably estimated or ascertained at this time. Potential future cash outflows are currently not capable of being reliably estimated. Accordingly, no provisions have been recorded for such potential exposure.

Ericsson continuously seeks to strengthen its ethics and compliance program with risk-relevant policies, processes and tools for preventing, detecting and remediating non-compliance. These efforts have been further reinforced in recent years. In addition, in 2016 the Board hired an independent compliance advisory firm to assist the Company and the Board on compliance related matters. Their recommendations are currently being implemented. Recent improvement efforts focused on the following areas: people and culture (including tone from the top, senior leadership vetting, disciplinary processes, and training), third party engagements (including resources, policies, controls and processes), compliance and investigation capabilities (including resources, policies, governance, processes and tools), and internal control capabilities (including resources, governance, processes and tools).

The Company is committed to having a robust and fit-for-purpose compliance program and is continuously looking to improve on ways to better manage its compliance risks throughout the Company with due effort and attention.

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 2018. 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:

As previously disclosed, Ericsson is voluntarily cooperating with investigations by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) into Ericsson’s compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The Company continues to cooperate with the SEC and the DOJ, and has recently begun settlement discussions. These discussions are in a very early stage and therefore the Company is not able to estimate their length. Further, as this is an ongoing legal matter Ericsson cannot provide any detail. However, based on the current status of the discussions, it is the Company’s assessment that the resolution of these matters will result in material financial and other measures, the magnitude and impact of which cannot be reliably estimated or ascertained at this time. Potential future cash outflows are currently not capable of being reliably estimated. Accordingly, no provisions have been recorded for such potential exposure.

Stockholm, April 17, 2019

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson

Börje Ekholm, President and CEO

Org. no. 556016-0680

Date for next report: July 17, 2019

Press briefing and live webcast

Ericsson invites media, investors and analysts to conference

calls on April 17, 2019; one starting at 09.00 (CET) and the

other at 13.00 (CET).

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

www.ericsson.com/investors and

www.ericsson.com/press

Replay of the conference calls will be available approximately

one hour after each call has ended and will remain available for seven days.

For further information, please contact:

Carl Mellander Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Phone: +46 10 713 89 70

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

media.relations@ericsson.com

Helena Norrman, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing and

Communications Officer

Phone: +46 10 719 34 72

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

media.relations@ericsson.com

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson

Org. number: 556016-0680

Torshamnsgatan 21

SE-164 83 Stockholm

Phone: +46 10 719 00 00

www.ericsson.com

Investors

Peter Nyquist, Vice President,

Head of Investor Relations

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

E-mail: peter.nyquist@ericsson.com

Stefan Jelvin, Director,

Investor Relations

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

E-mail: stefan.jelvin@ericsson.com

Åsa Konnbjer, Director,

Investor Relations

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

E-mail: asa.konnbjer@ericsson.com

Rikard Tunedal, Director,

Investor Relations

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

E-mail: rikard.tunedal@ericsson.com

Media

Ola Rembe, Vice President,

Head of External Communications

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

E-mail: media.relations@ericsson.com

Corporate Communications

Phone: +46 10 719 69 92

E-mail: media.relations@ericsson.com

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

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 2018.

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.