STOCKHOLM, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ —
Strategic highlights – solid commercial momentum and operational execution
- Organic sales growth in all three segments in Q4, with 12%* growth in segment Cloud Software and Services.
- Operational improvements in recent years driving strong margins and solid free cash flow.
Fourth quarter highlights – good organic growth with all segments contributing
- Sales increased by 6%* YoY. Market areas Europe, Middle East and Africa and South East Asia, Oceania and India grew, Americas was broadly stable while North East Asia declined. Reported sales were SEK 69.3 (72.9) b.
- Adjusted1 gross income was SEK 33.2 (33.7) b. with currency headwinds offsetting strong operational execution. Reported gross income was SEK 32.7 (32.7) b.
- Adjusted1 gross margin was 48.0% (46.3%) driven mainly by improvements in Cloud Software and Services. Reported gross margin was 47.2% (44.9%).
- Adjusted1 EBITA was SEK 12.7 (10.2) b. with an 18.3% (14.1%) margin, benefiting from improved segment margins in Mobile Networks. Reported EBITA was SEK 11.6 (8.6) b. with a 16.7% (11.8%) margin.
- Net income was SEK 8.6 (4.9) b. EPS diluted was SEK 2.57 (1.44).
- Free cash flow before M&A was SEK 14.9 (15.8) b.
Full-year highlights – margins stabilized at good levels and solid free cash flow
- Sales increased by 2%*, with growth in Networks and Cloud Software and Services. Reported sales were SEK 236.7 (247.9) b.
- Adjusted1 gross income increased to SEK 113.9 (111.4) b. driven by improvements in Mobile Networks, and despite a SEK -7.2 b. currency headwind. Adjusted gross margin increased to 48.1% (44.9%).
- Adjusted1 EBITA was SEK 42.9 (27.2) b. with an adjusted1 EBITA margin of 18.1% (11.0%), including the gain from the divestment of iconectiv.
- Net income was SEK 28.7 (0.4) b. EPS diluted was SEK 8.51 (0.01).
- Free cash flow before M&A was SEK 26.8 (40.0) b., delivering a cash flow to net sales of 11.3%.
- Net cash at year-end 2025 was SEK 61.2 (37.8) b.
- Return on capital employed was 24.1% (2.6%), including the benefit of the iconectiv divestment.
- A dividend of SEK 3.00 (2.85) per share for 2025 and a share buyback program of SEK 15.0 b. will be proposed to the AGM by the Board of Directors.
Börje Ekholm, President and CEO, said: “Our Q4 results demonstrate solid execution of our strategy priorities. It is encouraging that we delivered organic growth in a flattish RAN market environment through our efforts in mission critical networks, 5G core and Enterprise. The operational actions we have taken in recent years have resulted in improved margins and cash flow, with a ninth consecutive quarter of year-over-year adjusted EBITA margin expansion.
R&D investments to extend technology leadership continued, with a focus on AI-native, secure, and autonomous mobile networks. We generated strong free cash flow and have a strong cash position today. The Board will propose an increased dividend of SEK 3.00 per share, and will also seek a mandate for a share buyback of SEK 15 b.
For 2026, we expect the RAN market to be flat. Mission critical and enterprise markets, where we are well positioned, are expected to grow. In this environment, we plan to increase investments in defense during 2026 while continuing to optimize our cost base to support margins and cash flow generation.”
* Sales adjusted for the impact of acquisitions and divestments and effects of foreign currency fluctuations.
1 Adjusted metrics exclude restructuring charges.
|
SEK b. |
Q4 2025 |
Q4 2024 |
YoY change |
Q3 2025 |
QoQ change |
Jan-Dec 2025 |
Jan-Dec 2024 |
YoY change |
|
Net sales |
69.285 |