Ericsson plans first-ever share buyback as profit beats market view

By Gianluca Lo Nostro and Agnieszka Olenska Jan 23 (Reuters) - Swedish telecoms gear maker Ericsson said it planned to return 15 billion Swedish crowns ($1.7 ​billion) to investors through its first share buyback programme ever, after it ‌trounced quarterly earnings expectations on Friday. Shares of the company rose more than 11% in early Stockholm trading, ‌leading gains on Europe's benchmark STOXX 600 index. The company reported adjusted earnings before interest and taxes, excluding restructuring cha ...