Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson Stock Price, News & Analysis

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has inaugurated its Global Utilities Innovation Center in Plano, Texas, aimed at enhancing 4G and 5G solutions for utility companies. This state-of-the-art facility features operating labs designed for utilities to collaborate on connectivity challenges and explore various use cases.

With an end-to-end operational lab mimicking a smart grid environment, the center promotes secure and reliable mission-critical networks. Ericsson aims to partner with utilities globally to advance their digital transformation and grid modernization initiatives.

Ericsson's Nomination Committee for the Annual General Meeting 2023 has been officially appointed. The committee includes key figures: Johan Forssell from Investor AB, Karl Åberg from AB Industrivärden, Anders Oscarsson from AMF, Jonas Synnergren from Cevian Capital, and Ronnie Leten, the Board's Chair. Forssell will serve as Chair of the committee. Shareholders are invited to submit proposals to the committee ahead of the meeting. The information is critical for stakeholders as it influences board composition and future corporate governance.

The Illinois Electric Cooperative has partnered with Ericsson and XtremeLTE to enhance broadband services in rural Pike County, Illinois. This initiative, part of the FCC's Connect America Fund Phase II, aims to improve network capacity and user experience through Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) using the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum. The project will deliver a minimum of 100 Mbps downlink and 20 Mbps uplink speeds, deploying advanced technologies like Massive MIMO. This partnership signifies a crucial step towards broadening connectivity in underserved areas.

Ericsson will publish its financial report for Q1 2022 on April 14, 2022, at 7:00 AM CEST. A live webcast for analysts, investors, and media will follow at 9:00 AM CEST, featuring remarks from President and CEO Börje Ekholm and CFO Carl Mellander. The report will be accessible on Ericsson's website, providing detailed tables and data in PDF format. Investors can join the call using provided phone numbers and PIN code, with on-demand access to the webcast afterwards.

On March 29, 2022, Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson's AGM was held digitally due to COVID-19 restrictions. Key resolutions included the adoption of the 2021 Profit and Loss Statements, approval of a dividend of SEK 2.50 per share, and the appointment of Deloitte AB as auditor until AGM 2023. Shareholders voted against discharging the Board's liability for 2021. The AGM also approved a Long-Term Variable Compensation Program (LTV) for the executive team, allowing a maximum of 2 million B-shares. The total share count is 3.33 billion, with 568.99 million votes available.

Ericsson's Executive Team and Board reaffirm their commitment to the company's strategy amid shareholder concerns. At the 2022 Annual General Meeting, a significant portion of shareholders opposed discharging the Board from liability for the financial year 2021. CEO Börje Ekholm acknowledged these concerns and committed to leading the company in its transformation and global 5G technology advancements. The Board supports Ekholm's leadership, emphasizing progress in ethics and compliance during his five-year tenure.

On March 25, 2022, Ericsson filed its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ending December 31, 2021, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The report can be accessed through the company's website, and shareholders may request a hard copy. The filing is part of Ericsson's commitment to transparency and compliance with regulatory requirements. The report provides insights into Ericsson's performance, strategies, and financial health, highlighting its role in enabling service providers to maximize connectivity value.

On March 21, 2022, Ericsson's Chairman Ronnie Leten reaffirmed the company's commitment to ethical practices amid ongoing engagement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Since 2017, Ericsson has made significant strides in compliance and ethics, with CEO Börje Ekholm leading these efforts. The company has appointed Scott Dresser as Chief Legal Officer to oversee a comprehensive review of its past conduct related to Iraq, collaborating with external counsel. While the company continues to address these matters, further details remain undisclosed.

Ericsson has published its Annual Report 2021, available for download and order as a printed copy. The report includes crucial documents such as the Financial Report, Corporate Governance Report, Remuneration Report, and Sustainability Report. However, following the report's finalization on March 3, 2022, Ericsson faced a legal challenge in the U.S., with a putative class action filed against the company for alleged violations of securities laws, primarily concerning misleading statements about business compliance in Iraq.