Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported net sales of SEK 69.3 billion in Q4, with organic sales growing by 6% year-on-year, despite a reported sales decrease of 5% due to negative currency effects of SEK 6.8 billion [17] - Adjusted gross margin reached 48% in Q4, supported by cost reduction measures and operational excellence [18] - Adjusted EBITDA was SEK 12.7 billion, up by SEK 2.4 billion, with an EBITDA margin increase of around 4 percentage points to 18.3% [18] - For the full year, net sales amounted to SEK 236.7 billion, with organic sales growing by 2% [19] - Adjusted EBITDA increased to SEK 42.9 billion, with a margin of 18.1% [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Networks segment, sales decreased by 6% year-over-year to SEK 44.2 billion, but organic sales increased by 4% [22] - The Cloud and Software and Services segment saw a 3% increase in sales year-over-year to SEK 20 billion, with organic sales growing by 12% [24] - Enterprise sales stabilized with a 2% organic growth in Q4, but reported sales decreased by 25% due to the sale of iconectiv [25] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales grew in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa market area, as well as in Southeast Asia, while the Americas market was broadly stable [17] - North America experienced slight growth driven by higher software sales, while Northeast Asia saw a decline due to timing of network investments [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to lead in mobile networks with high-performance autonomous and programmable networks that are 5G native, while also scaling its mobile platform to new areas like Mission Critical Enterprise Solutions [10] - The focus is on investing in technology leadership, particularly in areas like AI applications and defense, with a commitment to organic growth rather than large acquisitions [14] - The board proposed an increased dividend of SEK 3 per share and a buyback program of up to SEK 15 billion, totaling SEK 25 billion in shareholder distributions [14][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted a strong end to the year with improved margins and cash flow, despite a flattish demand environment for mobile networks [5][6] - The outlook for 2026 anticipates a flattish RAN market, but growth is expected from new areas such as Mission Critical networks and 5G Core [31][32] - The company is preparing for potential geopolitical impacts and market changes, particularly in Europe regarding high-risk vendors [61][63] Other Important Information - The company reduced headcount by 5,000 over the past year and plans to continue this trend to improve operational efficiency [5] - Cash flow before M&A was SEK 14.9 billion in Q4, contributing to a net cash position of SEK 61.2 billion [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Medium-term trajectory and R&D balance - Management emphasized the need for continuous R&D efficiency and strategic investment in key areas like Mission Critical networks and defense applications [37][39] Question: Investment in Defense and Mission Critical - The company sees a sizable market opportunity in defense due to increased spending in the U.S. and Europe, and plans to ramp up investments in this area [42][45] Question: Supply chain shortages and memory price increases - Management stated that they have worked on supply chain resiliency and are in a good position to handle memory price fluctuations [48][50] Question: Buyback program and net cash position - The board's capital allocation principles emphasize maintaining a solid net cash position while distributing excess cash to shareholders [54][56] Question: Changes in the mobile networks market - Management noted that the market has been flattish for two decades, with potential growth opportunities arising from geopolitical changes and competition dynamics [61][63] Question: Revenue outlook and growth opportunities - Management indicated that while the market outlook is flattish, there are opportunities for low to mid single-digit growth driven by new areas like Mission Critical and Enterprise solutions [76][78]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported net sales of SEK 69.3 billion in Q4, with organic sales growing by 6% year-on-year, despite a reported sales decrease of 5% due to negative currency effects [14][16] - Adjusted gross margin reached 48% in Q4, supported by cost reduction measures and operational excellence [14][15] - Adjusted EBITDA was SEK 12.7 billion, up by SEK 2.4 billion, with an EBITDA margin of 18.3%, reflecting improved operational efficiency [15][16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Networks segment, sales decreased by 6% year-on-year to SEK 44.2 billion, but organic sales increased by 4% [17][18] - The Cloud and Software and Services segment saw a 3% increase in sales year-on-year to SEK 20 billion, with organic sales growing by 12% [18][19] - The Enterprise segment's sales stabilized with a 2% organic growth, although reported sales decreased by 25% due to the sale of iconectiv [19][20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales growth was observed in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa markets, as well as in Southeast Asia, while the Americas market remained stable with slight growth in North America [14][16] - The Northeast Asia market experienced a decline due to timing of network investments [17][18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to lead in mobile networks with high-performance, autonomous, and programmable networks that are 5G native, while also expanding into mission-critical enterprise solutions [9][10] - The focus is on investing in technology leadership, particularly in areas like AI applications and mission-critical networks, to capture new growth opportunities [12][26] - The company plans to maintain a solid net cash position while increasing shareholder distributions, proposing a dividend increase and a share buyback program [12][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's strategic direction, highlighting the importance of operational efficiency and continued investment in technology [25][26] - The outlook for the mobile networks market is expected to remain flattish, but growth is anticipated from new areas such as mission-critical 5G and enterprise solutions [25][27] - Global uncertainties, including potential tariff changes and macroeconomic factors, are acknowledged, but the company remains focused on executing its strategy [23][25] Other Important Information - The company has reduced its headcount by 5,000 over the past year as part of cost initiatives [4] - The board proposed a total shareholder distribution of approximately SEK 25 billion, marking the largest in the company's history [12][13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Medium-term trajectory and R&D balance - Management acknowledged the need for continuous R&D efficiency and strategic allocation to new areas like Mission Critical and defense applications [31][33] Question: Exposure in Defense and Mission Critical - The company sees significant opportunities in the defense market due to increased spending, particularly in the U.S. and Europe [36][39] Question: Supply chain shortages and memory price increases - Management indicated that they have worked on supply chain resiliency and are in a good position to handle memory price increases [42][43] Question: Revenue outlook in a flattish market - Management believes that low to mid single-digit growth is possible due to opportunities in mission-critical and enterprise segments [71][72] Question: Silicon strategy and competition - The company has chosen a strategy to disaggregate software and hardware, allowing flexibility in hardware choices for customers [75][76] Question: Visibility of North American RAN market - Management noted that while investment levels are healthy, the timing of capital investments may vary between quarters [88][90]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported net sales of SEK 69.3 billion in Q4, with organic sales growing by 6% year on year, despite a reported sales decrease of 5% due to negative currency effects [13][15] - Adjusted gross margin reached 48% in Q4, supported by cost reduction measures and operational excellence [13][14] - Adjusted EBITDA was SEK 12.7 billion, up by SEK 2.4 billion, with an EBITDA margin of 18.3%, reflecting improved operational efficiency [14][16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Networks segment, sales decreased by 6% year on year to SEK 44.2 billion, with organic sales increasing by 4% [17][18] - The Cloud and Software and Services segment saw a 3% year-on-year sales increase to SEK 20 billion, with organic sales growing by 12% [18][19] - Enterprise sales stabilized with a 2% organic growth, although reported sales decreased by 25% due to the sale of iconectiv [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales growth was observed in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, as well as Southeast Asia, while the Americas market was broadly stable, impacted by intense competition in Latin America [13][15] - Northeast Asia experienced a decline due to timing of network investments [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to lead in mobile networks with high-performance autonomous and programmable networks that are 5G native, while also expanding into mission-critical enterprise solutions [7][25] - The strategy includes significant investments in AI applications and devices, anticipating a shift towards hyper-connectivity [5][25] - The company plans to maintain a strong focus on technology leadership through R&D investments, with a proposed increased dividend and share buyback program reflecting confidence in its strategy [11][12][21] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted a stable demand environment for mobile networks, with expectations for modest growth driven by new areas such as mission-critical applications and enterprise solutions [24][26] - The geopolitical landscape and macroeconomic factors were highlighted as potential risks, with a cautious outlook for the North American RAN market in 2026 [22][24] Other Important Information - The company has reduced headcount by 5,000 over the past year as part of cost initiatives, with expectations for continued reductions [3][4] - The board proposed a total shareholder distribution of SEK 25 billion, the largest in the company's history, including a dividend increase and a buyback program [11][12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Medium-term trajectory and R&D balance - Management emphasized the need for continuous R&D efficiency and strategic allocation to critical areas like Mission Critical and defense applications, despite a flattish market outlook [29][31] Question: Exposure in Defense and Market Size - The company sees significant potential in the defense market due to increased spending in the U.S. and Europe, with a shift towards cost-effective, 3GPP-enabled solutions [33][35] Question: Supply Chain Shortages and Memory Price Increases - Management stated that they have worked on supply chain resiliency and are in a good position to handle memory price increases, maintaining strong relationships with suppliers [38][40] Question: North American RAN Market Visibility - Management indicated healthy investment levels in North America but noted that capital investment timing may vary between quarters [80][82] Question: Revenue Outlook and Growth Opportunities - Management expressed optimism about mid-single-digit revenue growth driven by mission-critical and enterprise opportunities, despite a flattish RAN market [62][64]