0645 GMT - Ericsson's first-quarter report is a bit messy, but it is solid under the hood, SEB analysts write. The quarter was weaker than Infront consensus on net sales, mainly in the cloud software and services business, which is guided to improve in the second quarter. Meanwhile, the gross margin is mostly in line, despite higher input costs from semiconductors, SEB says. EBITA of 5.56 billion Swedish kronor compares to consensus at 5.85 billion kronor, but if adjusted for a 500 million kronor one-off, it is slightly stronger. Operating expenditure is the main positive, while second-quarter gross margin guidance is encouraging in light of the higher input costs. "We expect roughly neutral consensus estimate revisions." SEB rates Ericsson at buy with a 122 kronor target price. Shares closed at 110.25 kronor. (dominic.chopping@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 17, 2026 02:45 ET (06:45 GMT)

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