Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson Stock Price, News & Analysis

The Annual General Meeting of Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) is set for March 30, 2021. Due to COVID-19, the meeting will be conducted without physical attendance, enabling postal voting until March 29, 2021. Key proposals include an unchanged Board composition, a dividend of SEK 2.00 per share, and an increase in Board fees by approximately 3.9%. Shareholders can participate in a digital event on March 26, 2021, to engage with management. Results of the meeting will be disclosed on March 30, 2021.

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has launched three new radios in its Massive MIMO portfolio and six RAN Compute products to enhance 5G mid-band rollouts. These solutions enable rapid deployment of 5G services, improving network performance and energy efficiency. The new radios are 45% lighter than previous models and increase capacity by over three times, featuring energy-efficient passive cooling. Additionally, the RAN Compute products support indoor and outdoor 4G/5G deployments with significantly higher throughput and reduced energy consumption.

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has launched a 5G network slicing solution for radio access networks (RAN), now commercially available. This solution enhances end-to-end slicing capabilities, allowing service providers to deliver tailored 5G services with guaranteed performance at 1 millisecond scheduling. The addressable market for network slicing in the enterprise segment is projected at USD 300 billion by 2025. Ericsson's solution aims to optimize radio resources dynamically, facilitating the monetization of innovative 5G use cases, including smart factories and cloud gaming.

Ericsson will release its financial report for Q4 and full year 2020 on January 29, 2021, at 7:00 AM CET. A complete financial report will be available on their website. Following the release, a conference call led by President and CEO Börje Ekholm and CFO Carl Mellander will occur at 9:00 AM CET, addressing the report and answering questions from analysts and investors. The call can be accessed via specific phone numbers and a live audio webcast will also be provided. A replay of the call will be available after the event until February 5, 2021.

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) announced that its financial report for the fourth quarter of 2020 will be released on January 29, 2021. A correction was made regarding the date of its upcoming report, which was incorrectly stated as January 26, 2021 in its third quarter financial report published on October 21, 2020. Investors should note this date change for planning purposes.

Ericsson's recent report forecasts a global 5G consumer market worth USD 31 trillion by 2030, with USD 3.7 trillion projected earnings for communications service providers (CSPs). The report highlights that 40% of revenue will stem from enhanced video, AR, VR, and cloud gaming over 5G networks. Despite a decline in consumers' willingness to pay a premium for 5G from 20% to 10%, early adopters remain optimistic. CSPs could achieve a 34% increase in average revenue per user by proactively adopting 5G strategies, promoting significant revenue growth in the coming years.

On November 10, 2020, Ericsson announced revised long-term financial targets during its Capital Markets Day. The company aims for an EBITA margin of 15% - 18% and free cash flow of 9% - 12% of sales. For 2022, the operating margin target remains at 12% - 14%, with segment-specific adjustments: Networks raised to 16% - 18%, Digital Services decreased to 4% - 7%, and Managed Services increased to 9% - 11%. The company emphasizes growth in 5G and enterprise applications but acknowledges risks from geopolitical uncertainties affecting its business.

On November 2, 2020, Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) completed its acquisition of Cradlepoint, a leader in Wireless WAN Edge solutions, for approximately USD 1 billion. This acquisition aims to enhance Ericsson's footprint in the growing 5G enterprise market. In 2019, Cradlepoint reported SEK 1.2 billion in sales with a 61% gross margin. However, Ericsson anticipates an operating margin decline of about 1% in 2021 and 2022, largely due to amortization costs. Cradlepoint will function as a standalone subsidiary, focusing on driving 5G services in enterprise connectivity.

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) is set to host its Capital Markets Day on November 10, 2020, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM CET. The event will be conducted online, featuring CEO Börje Ekholm and CFO Carl Mellander, among other executives. It aims to update stakeholders on Ericsson's strategy for achieving long-term value through technology leadership, particularly in the context of the transition to 5G. Key discussions will include strategy execution, R&D initiatives, and financial updates.

For registration and details, visit Ericsson's event page.