Yesterday, Ericsson Nikola Tesla held a conference for media and analysts regarding the Group’s FY 2023 results. In short, in 2023 Ericsson NT reported an increase in sales revenue of 2w.2% YoY, an EBITDA increase of 30.6%, and a net profit of EUR 22.2m, an increase of 40.3% YoY.
Ericsson NT’s sales revenue amounted to EUR 304.2m in FY 2023, representing an increase of 2.2% YoY, driven by higher sales revenue on the domestic market and service to the Ericsson market segment, while revenue on other export markets decreased YoY. Out of the total sales, the domestic market accounted for 42.8%, services to Ericsson accounted for 46.6%, while other export markets accounted for 10.6%. On the domestic market, sales increased by 1.2% and amounted to EUR 130.3m. Out of these, Ericsson notes the continuation of providing support to the leading operators Hrvatski Telekom and A1 Hrvatska in the modernization of their mobile networks. At the end of the year, a contract was signed with Hrvatski Telekom regarding cooperation on the implementation of Ericsson dual-mode 5G Core for the 4G/5G core network. The company strengthened its cooperation at the beginning of 2024 by signing a contract based on which Ericsson Nikola Tesla will be the exclusive supplier of the radio part of Hrvatski Telekom’s mobile network until the end of 2027. This contract is a continuation with regard to the implementation of Ericsson’s 5G network technology in Hrvatski Telekom’s network. Strategic cooperation with A1 continued successfully throughout 2023. Meanwhile, revenue from services to Ericsson amounted to EUR 135.9m, a 4.2% increase YoY. Finally, sales from other export markets amounted to EUR 32.2m, a 1.8% YoY decrease.
Breaking the sales down by segments, the Networks segment increased by 5.5%, to EUR 145.2m, the Digital Services segment decreased by 8.5%, to EUR 78.4m, while at the same time, Managed Services increased by 8.5%, to EUR 80.1m. Gross profit amounted to EUR 31.8m, increasing by 30.4% YoY, mainly as a low-base effect as the previous year was affected by higher costs of termination of the eHealth implementation project in Belarus, combined with this year’s successful risk mitigation and focus on operating efficiency. Gross margin also consequently increased to 10.5%, up 2.3 p.p. YoY. Selling and administrative expenses increased by 2.9% YoY, amounting to EUR 13m, with the share of these expenses in the sales revenue at the previous year’s level of 4.2%.
Sales breakdown by market (EURm)
As a result of the mentioned recovery in gross profit, EBITDA increased by 30.4% YoY and amounted to EUR 30.8m with EBITDA margin increasing by 2.2 p.p. YoY.
Moving further, financial income amounted to EUR 0.7m, while the financial expenses amounted to EUR 0.2m, leading to a net financial result of EUR 0.5m – overall remaining unchanged compared to 2022.
The positive net financial result further slightly amplified EBITDA growth, with EBT recording a notable increase of 43.8% to EUR 25.2m. The income tax for the period amounted to EUR 3m. Finally, the net profit of the Company increased by 40.3% and amounted to EUR 22.2m. Taking net profit into account, the achieved margin consequently increased by 2 p.p. to 7.3%.
Ericsson NT key financials (FY 2023 vs. FY 2022, EURm)
Looking over at the balance sheet, the total assets increased by 4.3% YoY and amounted to EUR 166.6m, as a result of higher short-term assets, which make up the majority of the Group’s total assets. Cash and cash equivalents amounted to EUR 74m (including short-term fin. assets), an increase of 9.2%, in line with the Company’s planned regular activities. Looking at the other side of the balance sheet, the total equity amounted to EUR 57.8m, an increase of 7.8% YoY, mainly as a result of higher retained earnings. Meanwhile, short-term liabilities increased to EUR 58.4m, an increase of 15.3% YoY, mainly coming from higher short-term liabilities to the suppliers.
In 2023, the Group expects the trend of growing demand for ICT solutions to continue. Therefore, the Company continues to implement its strategy, with an emphasis on investing in research, development and implementation of modern ICT solutions, the development of employees’ knowledge and skills, and its own digital transformation.
