Sony (NYSE: SNE) Ericsson (NSDQ: ERIC) has come out with its fourth quarter earnings,  showing an 18 percent increase in unit sales compared to the fourth quarter of 2006. However, total sales were down year-on-year, from 3,782 million euros (US$5.6 billion) in 4Q06 to 3,771 million euros in 4Q07. As you might guess, that’s due to a strong drop in average sales price, from 146 euros (US$216) to 123 euros (US$182). Net income fell 17 percent to 373 million euros (US$552 million). For the full year Sony Ericsson saw sales of 12,916 million euros (US$19.1 billion), an 18 percent increase over 2006. Net income was 1,114 million euros (US$1.648), a 12 percent increase year-on-year. And for the full year Sony Ericsson sold 103.4 million handsets up from 74.8 million in 2006, which the company reckons gives it just over 9 percent of the global handset market compared to 7 percent in 2006. Sony Ericsson said the rise in volume and fall in average selling price is part of a strategic shift to capture marketshare, as part of the company’s push to become a top 3 handset manufacturer—i.e., overtake Motorola (NYSE: MOT).
Earnings Release

• Earnings: Sony Ericsson Revenues Up 7 Percent, Profit Down 10 Percent