Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) (NASDAQ:ERIC) Q3 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

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Carl Mellander: Well, yes, I start. Yes, I think, what we say here in the report is really that the tides will turn. The market mix is going to recover at some point. The timing is unclear. But if you look at the lower forecast, for example, North America would grow by 15% next year. And India — to we weave in, now your last question, India will taper off, that’s quite clear from this record year in 2022. So, I think that could support our gross margin development networks. Combined with the other thing that you also mentioned yourself, the cost out, which we have seen a part of the effect so far in the P&L. But of course, as we reach the end of the year, we will have completed all of that 12 billion cost reduction and that will play out also in cost of sales. So those are some of the factors that will support going forward.

Peter Nyquist: And the next question will come from the line of, let’s see here. I think it’s Joachim Gunell at DnB.

Joachim Gunell: Two questions from my side starting off a bit where Andrew asked. Based on the positive the customer discussions here, but of course, low visibility. Can you just comment on, to what extent do you have the conservatism into your view of a quarter of 2023 market recovery other than, walking away from the margin targets?

Carl Mellander: Borje, did you want to start this one?

Borje Ekholm: I can start. I would say, I think what we like to do is basically to say that there will be a recovery in the market. It is going to happen. Timing is unknown. And given that, we think, it is just prudent to plan for the current market conditions to prevail. So that allows us to take the right actions on the cost side, the way we run the Company basically for operational efficiency. And when we set ourselves up that way, so when the market recovery comes, we get the operating leverage. So, we are kind of planning more cautiously in that sense. But rather saying, when the recovery comes, let’s talk about it at that point in time.

Joachim Gunell: Perfect, and then one question for, Carl. What in particular does the additional SEK1 billion in cost saving pertaining to? And can you also comment a bit on the timing of identifying this at this stage?

Carl Mellander: Sure, Joachim, I would say this is also a learning from the last time around, when we had a big cost out effort that once you start this machinery, you find more efficiencies, more possibilities to take out structural costs. That has happened also here, because every manager in the Company is working on this since several quarters. We now see when we sum up the plans that exist that actually we will beat the well, first at 9 billion that we had initially communicated, and then up to 11 billion. Now we see that we can beat that as well and deliver 12 billion of saving. So it is not about singling out a specific area. It is many contributing factors for us and it has been a great momentum actually. As I said, we are slightly ahead of our internal planning as well. And 10.5 billion so far executed on out of the 12 billion. So we clearly see that, the path to 12 billion as well, and we will see the impact in the P&L more, as we continue.

Peter Nyquist: So, we will move further to the next question and have the next question from the line of Francois Bouvignies at UBS.

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