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F1 Financial risk management

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Disclosure Of Financial Risk Management [Abstract]


		Financial risk management

The Company’s financial risk management is governed by a policy approved by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the capital structure and financial management of the Company, approving certain matters (such as investments, customer finance commitments and borrowing) and setting limits on the exposure to financial risks.

For the Company, a robust financial position with an investment grade rating, low leverage and ample liquidity is deemed important. This provides financial flexibility and independence to operate and manage variations in working capital needs as well as to invest in business opportunities.

The Company’s overall capital structure should support the financial targets. The capital structure is managed by balancing equity, debt financing and liquidity in such a way that the Company can secure funding of operations at a reasonable cost of capital. Regular borrowings are complemented with committed credit facilities to give additional flexibility to manage unforeseen funding needs. The Company strives to deliver strong free cash flow.

The Company’s capital objectives are:

–	Free cash flow before M&A of 9–12% of net sales

–	Positive net cash position

–	Investment grade rating by Moody’s (Baa3), S&P Global (BBB –) and Fitch Ratings (BBB –).


Capital objectives-related information
	2023		2022
Free cash flow before M&A as % of net sales 1)		–0.4%		8.2%
Positive net cash (SEK billion) 1)		7.8		23.3

Credit rating and outlook
Fitch Ratings		BBB–, stable		BBB–, stable
S&P Global		BBB–, developing		BBB–, developing
Moody’s		Ba1, stable		Ba1, stable

1)	For more information about the measures, see Alternative performance measures and Financial terminology.

The ratings and outlooks have remained unchanged throughout 2023.

The Company has a Treasury and Customer Finance organization with the principal role to ensure that appropriate financing is in place through loans and committed credit facilities, actively manage the Company’s liquidity as well as financial assets and liabilities, and manage and control financial risk exposures in a manner consistent with underlying business risks and financial policies. The Customer Finance function may support with suitable third-party financing solutions for customers to facilitate their purchases from Ericsson. In some cases, and to the extent that customer loans are not provided directly by banks, the Parent Company may provide vendor finance credits to customers directly. The central function also monitors the exposure from outstanding vendor credits and credit commitments.

The Company classifies financial risks as:

–	Foreign exchange risk

–	Interest rate risk

–	Credit risk

–	Liquidity risk

–	Refinancing risk

–	Market price risk in own and other equity instruments.

The Board of Directors has established risk limits for defined exposures to foreign exchange and interest rate risks as well as to political risks in certain countries.

For further information about accounting policies, see note A1 “Material accounting policies.”

Foreign exchange risk

The Company is a global company with sales mainly outside Sweden. Sales and costs incurred are to a large extent denominated in currencies other than SEK and therefore the financial results of the Company are impacted by currency fluctuations. The Company reports the financial statements in SEK. Movements in exchange rates between currencies that affect these statements will impact the comparability between periods.

Line items, primarily sales, are impacted by translation exposure incurred when converting foreign entities’ financial statements into SEK. Line items and profitability, such as EBIT are impacted by transaction exposure incurred when financial assets and liabilities, primarily trade receivables and trade payables, are initially recognized and subsequently remeasured due to changes in foreign exchange rates.

The table below presents the external net sales and cost exposures for the largest currencies which impact profitability. The internal exposures will not impact group profitability if all related transactions occur and are recognized in the profit and loss in the same month. Any effect on profit and loss from internal transactions is a function of timing and FX volatility, therefore impossible to predict.

Currency exposure, SEK billion

Exposure
currency

Sales
trans-
lation
exposure

Sales
trans-
action
exposure

Sales net
exposure

Cost
trans-
lation
exposure

Cost
trans-
action
exposure

Cost
net
exposure

USD

81.7

55.6

137.3

–62.2

–42.4

–104.6

EUR

40.9

–0.5

40.4

–37.3

–2.6

–39.9

INR

31.2

–0.7

30.5

–19.9

0.2

–19.7

JPY

10.1

–

10.1

–4.1

–

–4.1

GBP

9.1

–1.0

8.1

–3.6

–

–3.6

CNY

7.8

–

7.8

–5.7

1.1

–4.6

SAR

5.6

0.4

6.0

–3.5

0.1

–3.4

BRL

5.0

–

5.0

–4.1

1.2

–2.9

1)	External purchases in foreign currency translated to functional currency.

2)	Sales transaction exposure in 2023 includes volume in the cash flow hedge of USD 2,462 million. Based on the outstanding cash flow hedge volume at year end, the hedged sales volume that will occur in 2024 is USD 2,467 million.

Translation exposure

Translation exposure relates to sales and cost incurred in foreign entities when converted into SEK upon consolidation. These exposures cannot be addressed by hedging.

Transaction exposure

The Company considers the following transaction exposures.

a) Transaction risk impacting net sales and net income

Transaction exposure relates to sales and cost incurred in non-reporting currencies in individual group companies. Foreign exchange risk is as far as possible concentrated in Swedish group companies, primarily Ericsson AB, by selling to foreign subsidiaries in either the functional currency of the customers, EUR or USD. This transaction risk can be hedged, although it is only done for material cash inflows or outflows that are highly certain. The Company has the following recurring hedge programs:

i) The Company has identified certain customer contracts where a fluctuation in the USD/SEK foreign exchange rate would significantly impact net sales. These contracts are multi-year contracts with highly probable payments at fixed points in time denominated in USD.

The Board of Directors has provided a mandate to the Company to hedge between 0%–100% of the next three years receipts on a rolling basis, up to the end of the contract period. This mandate instructs the treasury function to hedge a percentage of this exposure according to a defined scale, locking in a higher percentage of exposure as the USD strengthens against SEK, up to 100%.

ii) The Board of Directors has provided a mandate to the Company to hedge highly probable forecasted sales and purchases denominated in USD in EAB for the next 7 to 18 months, on a monthly rolling basis. This mandate instructs the treasury function to hedge a percentage of this exposure according to a defined scale, locking in a higher percentage of exposure as the USD strengthens against SEK, up to 100%.

For both programs, hedge accounting is applied, whereby the Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts that match the terms of the foreign exchange exposure as closely as possible and designates them as hedging instruments. Hedge ineffectiveness is expected to be minimal but may arise due to differences in timing of the cash flows between the hedged items and the hedging instruments.

b) Transaction exposure in individual balance sheet

According to Company policy, transaction exposure in subsidiaries’ balance sheets (e.g., trade receivables and trade payables that are remeasured due to change in foreign exchange rates) should be fully hedged. Foreign exchange exposures in balance sheet items are hedged through offsetting balances or derivatives. Foreign exchange exposures are managed net, and its effects are presented net within Financial income and expenses. This is not designated as hedge accounting.

c) FX execution risk in Ericsson AB (EAB)

As balance sheet hedging is done net on a monthly basis, significant volatility in USD hedge volumes exposes EAB to FX execution risk.

In order to spread the FX execution risk over the year, 14% of each of the next six months forecasted sales and purchases in EAB are hedged monthly, whereby forecasted sales (excluding volume in the 7 to 18 month cash flow hedge program) are funded by internal loans and forecasted purchases funded by deposits with its parent company. Cash flow hedge accounting is not designated, therefore the FX impact on revaluation of the internal loan and deposit is recognized in net FX as incurred.

The sensitivity of the FX impact is dependent on changes in foreign exchange rates, forecasts and seasonality. USD is the only currency being hedged. Since the start of the 7 to 18 month cash flow hedge program in March 2022, the USD sales volume funded by internal loan has steadily reduced, whereas the USD purchases volume reduced to a lesser extent. This resulted in a net deposit balance with its parent company throughout the second half of 2023. The outstanding net deposit at year-end is USD 199 million (loan of USD 149 million), with an average net loan balance of USD 52 million (USD 529 million) over the year. Net realized FX gain recognized is SEK 4 million and unrealized loss is SEK 211 million, giving a total net loss of SEK 207 million.

d) Transaction risk impacting business combination

The Company is exposed to FX execution risk on consideration payable for acquisition in foreign currency from the period of communication of the proposed transaction to final completion date. Such transaction, if deemed material and highly probable, will be hedged to protect the cash consideration for acquisition accounting.

Cash flow hedge accounting is applied, whereby the Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts that match the terms of the foreign exchange exposure as closely as possible and designates them as hedging instruments. Hedge ineffectiveness is expected to be minimal but may arise due to differences in timing of the cash flows between the hedged item and the hedging instruments.

Interest rate risk

The Company is exposed to interest rate risk through market value fluctuations in certain balance sheet items and through changes in interest income and expenses.

Sensitivity analysis

The Company uses the Value at Risk (VaR) methodology to measure foreign exchange and interest rate risks managed by the treasury function. This statistical method expresses the maximum potential loss that can arise with a certain degree of probability during a certain period of time. For the VaR measurement, the Company has chosen a probability level of 99% and a one-day time horizon. The daily VaR measurement uses market volatilities and correlations based on historical daily data (one year), with the limitation that historical data does not necessarily reflect future events.

The treasury function operates under two mandates. In the liquidity management activity, it has a mandate to deviate from floating interest on net liquidity and take foreign exchange positions up to an aggregated risk of VaR SEK 45 million given a confidence level of 99% and a one-day horizon. The average VaR calculated for 2023 was SEK 15.9 (21.0) million. No VaR limits were exceeded during 2023.

In the asset-liability management activity, the interest rate risk is managed by matching fixed and floating interest rates in interest-bearing balance sheet items. The policy is that the net sensitivity on a one basis point move on interest-bearing assets matching interest-bearing liabilities, taking derivatives into consideration, is less than SEK 10 million. The average exposure during 2023 was SEK 1.5 (1.5) million per basis point shift.

Sensitivity to interest rate increase of 1 basis point, SEK million

< 3M

3–12M

1–3Y

3–5Y

>5Y

Total

Interest-bearing assets

–

–1

–

–3

Interest-bearing liabilities

–

Derivatives

–

–1

–2

–3

–4

Total

–

–1

–

1)	Borrowings are included as they are designated FVTPL.

Outstanding derivatives

2023

Gross
amount
recognized

Offset

Net
amount
presented

Related
amounts
not offset
– collaterals

Net

Currency derivatives

Assets

1,916

–43

1,873

–1,486

387

Liabilities

–1,837

–1,794

873

–921

Interest rate derivatives

Assets

–

Liabilities

–22

–

–22

–

–22

2022

Gross
amount
recognized

Offset

Net
amount
presented

Related
amounts
not offset
– collaterals

Net

Currency derivatives

Assets

1,275

–165

1,110

–277

833

Liabilities

–2,778

165

–2,613

2,382

–231

Interest rate derivatives

Assets

–

Liabilities

–8

–

–8

–

–8

1)	Currency derivatives designated as cash flow hedge of SEK 1,617 (566) million are included in Other current receivables and SEK 679 (1,472) million in Other current liabilities.

Cash collaterals paid or received under Credit Support Annex (CSA) to ISDA for cross-currency derivatives are recognized as Interest-bearing securities, current or Borrowings, current, respectively.

The Company holds the following currency derivatives designated as hedging instruments:


Foreign exchange forward contracts
2023	< 3 months		3 – 12 months		> 1 year		Total
Notional Amount (USD millions)		1,091		1,376		1,888	4,355
Average forward rate (SEK/USD)		9.81		10.46		10.03

Hedge ratio is 1:1 and changes in forward rate have been designated as the hedged risk. The change in the fair value of the hedging instrument is compared with the change in fair value of the hedged item, and the lower amount is taken to OCI. If the change in fair value of the hedging instrument is higher, then the excess change in fair value is considered ineffective hedging and recorded in net foreign exchange gains and losses. For hedge on customer contracts, upon recognition of the hedged net sales, the cumulative amount in hedging reserve is released in the OCI as a reclassification adjustment and recognized in net sales. For hedge on business combination, the cumulative amount in hedge reserve is transferred as a basis adjustment to goodwill upon recognition of the business combination.

See note E1 “Equity” for movement in the cash flow hedge reserve. No hedge ineffectiveness was recognized in the income statement in 2023.

Credit risk

Credit risk is divided into three categories: credit risk in trade receivables and contract assets, customer finance risk and financial credit risk, see note A1 “Material accounting policies.”

Credit risk in trade receivables and contract assets

Credit risk in trade receivables and contract assets is governed by a policy applicable to all legal entities in the Company. The purpose of the policy is to:

–	Avoid credit losses through establishing internal standard credit approval routines in all the Company’s legal entities

–	Ensure monitoring and risk mitigation of defaulting accounts, i.e. events of non-payment

–	Ensure efficient credit management within the Company and thereby improve days sales outstanding and cash flow

–	Define escalation path and approval process for customer credit limits.

The credit risk of all customers is regularly assessed. Through credit management system functionality, credit checks are performed every time a sales order is generated in the source system. These are based on the credit limit and risk profile set on the customer. Credit blocks appear if credit limit is reached or if past due receivables are higher than permitted levels. Release of a credit block requires authorization.

Letters of credits are used as a method for securing payments from customers operating in emerging markets, in particular in markets with unstable political and/or economic environments. By having banks confirming the letters of credit, the political and commercial credit risk exposures to the Company are mitigated.

Impairment of trade receivables and contract assets

Trade receivables and contract assets are assessed for impairment under a unified model. The Company has determined that credit risk largely depends on both the risk in the country where the customer resides (e.g. ability to make cross border payments) as well as the payment pattern of the customer. Therefore, expected credit losses (ECLs) are calculated using a provision matrix that specifies a fixed rate depending both on the number of days past due and the country risk rating. The country risk ratings depend on the ratings used by all Export Credit Agencies within the OECD. The rates defined in the provision matrix are based on historical loss patterns for that grouping of customers. These rates are adjusted for current conditions as well as management expectations of changes to political risks and payment patterns in the future. The provision rates are higher on high risk countries compared to low risk countries and also higher on amounts that remain unpaid for longer periods of time.

The Company has assessed the recent global economic conditions on the expected credit losses model for trade receivables and updated the provision matrix as appropriate.

Trade receivables and contract assets, net of allowance, amounted to SEK 50,214 (58,256) million as of December 31, 2023. Provisions for expected credit losses on trade receivables and contract assets amounted to SEK 2,585 (2,492) million as of December 31, 2023. Total past due more than 360 days has increased, resulting in a higher allowance as a percentage of gross exposure at year end. The Company’s write-offs have historically been low. During the year SEK 35 (70) million were written off due to the Company having no reasonable expectation of collection.


Movements in allowances for impairment of trade receivables and contract assets
	2023		2022
Opening balance		2,492		2,398
Balances regarding acquired business		–16		90
Increase in allowance		268		40
Write-offs		–35		–70
Translation difference		–124		34
Closing balance		2,585		2,492

The distribution of trade receivables and contract assets closely follows the distribution of the Company’s sales, see note B1 “Segment information.” The

largest customers represented 47% (45%) of the total trade receivables and contract assets in 2023.


Aging analysis of gross values of trade receivables and contracts assets by risk category
			Days past dues
2023	Not due		1–90		91–180		181–360		>360		Total
Country risk :Low		27,431		2,434		445		137		320		30,767
Country risk: Medium		14,369		826		227		224		605		16,251
Country risk: High		3,364		512		186		197		1,522		5,781
Total		45,164		3,772		858		558		2,447		52,799


			Days past dues
2022	Not due		1–90		91–180		181–360		>360		Total
Country risk :Low		32,015		2,090		165		103		328		34,701
Country risk: Medium		17,731		1,614		150		134		585		20,214
Country risk: High		3,304		610		384		295		1,240		5,833
Total		53,050		4,314		699		532		2,153		60,748

Customer finance credit risk

All major commitments to finance customers are made only after approval in accordance with the work procedure for the Board of Directors and according to the established credit approval process.

Prior to the approval of new facilities reported as customer finance, an internal credit risk assessment is conducted in order to assess the credit rating of each transaction for political and commercial risk. The credit risk analysis is made by using an assessment tool, where the political risk rating is identical to the rating used by all Export Credit Agencies within the OECD. The commercial risk is assessed by analyzing a large number of parameters, which may affect the level of the future commercial credit risk exposure. The output from the assessment tool for the credit rating also includes an internal pricing of the risk. This is expressed as a risk margin per annum over the relevant base rate. The reference pricing for political and commercial risk, on which the tool is based, is reviewed using information from Export Credit Agencies and prevailing pricing in the bank loan and bond markets for structured financed deals. The objective is that the internally set risk margin shall reflect the assessed risk and that the pricing is as close as possible to the current market pricing. A reassessment of the credit rating for each customer finance facility is made on a regular basis.

As of December 31, 2023, the total amount payable to the Company under customer finance credits was SEK 9,681 (7,758) million. The carrying value of these assets was SEK 6,917 (5,370) million as of December 31, 2023. Customer finance is arranged for infrastructure projects in different geographic markets. As of December 31, 2023, there were a total of 65 (73) customer finance arrangements originated by or guaranteed by the Company. As of December 31, 2023, the five largest facilities, calculated based on gross exposure, represented

% (

%) of the customer finance exposure. The geographical split of the year end gross exposure is as follows: South East Asia, Oceania and India 38% (18%), Middle East and Africa 22% (30%), Europe and Latin America 21% (27%) and North America 19% (24%). As of December 31, 2023, the Company also had unutilized customer finance commitments of SEK 37,019 (54,086) million.

Security arrangements for customer finance facilities may include pledges of equipment, pledges of certain assets belonging to the borrower and pledges of shares in the operating company. If available, third-party risk coverage is arranged. “Third-party risk coverage” means that a financial payment guarantee covering the credit risk has been issued by a bank, an export credit agency or an insurance company. All such institutions have been rated at least investment grade. A credit risk transfer under a sub-participation arrangement with a bank can also be arranged. In this case the entire credit risk and the funding is taken care of by the bank for the part that they cover.

The table below summarizes the Company’s outstanding customer finance as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.


Outstanding customer finance credit risk exposure 1)
	2023		2022
Fair value of customer finance credits		6,917		5,370
Financial guarantees for third-parties		4		6
Accrued interest		7		8
Maximum exposure to credit risk		6,928		5,384
Less third-party risk coverage		–79		–298
The Company’s risk exposure, less third-party risk coverage		6,849		5,086

1)	This table shows the maximum exposure to credit risk.

Fair value assessment of customer finance credits

Customer finance risk exposures are held at fair value and are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Credit Asset Management Team within Ericsson Credit AB, reporting to Head of Group Treasury and Customer Finance, has established a process with respect to measurement of fair values. The quarterly credit review uses an internal model to determine a commercial rating for each credit and for calculation of the fair value. The model is based on external credit rating, political/country rating and bank pricing. Regular monitoring of customer behavior is also a part of the internal assessment. Revaluation of customer finance (excluding effect of foreign exchange translation) amounted to a net loss in the consolidated income statement of SEK 209 million in 2023 (loss of 15 million), of which net loss of SEK 209 million

to credits held as of December 31, 2023 (loss of 17 million). This effect is presented within selling and administrative expenses.


Customer finance fair value reconciliation
	2023		2022
Opening balance		5,370		3,287
Additions		49,583		37,295
Disposals/repayments		–47,409		–35,412
Revaluation/amortization of interest		–467		–151
Translation difference		–160		351
Closing balance		6,917		5,370
Of which non-current		1,347		415

Due to the 5G buildout, the demand for customer financing arrangements has continued to increase significantly. Most of such financing arrangements have been transferred to banks.

Financial credit risk

Financial instruments carry an element of risk in that counterparts may be unable to fulfill their payment obligations. This exposure arises in the investments in cash, cash equivalents, interest-bearing securities and from derivative positions with positive unrealized results against banks and other counterparties.

The Company mitigates these risks by investing cash primarily in high rated securities such as treasury bills, government bonds, commercial papers, and mortgage-covered bonds (see Liquidity risk section below). Separate credit limits are assigned to each counterpart in order to minimize risk concentration. All derivative transactions are covered by ISDA netting agreements to reduce the credit risk. For cross-currency derivatives a Credit Support Annex (CSA) to ISDA is signed to further reduce the credit risk by exchanging collateral weekly against market value. The Company has also moved some derivative exposures to clearing counterparties with daily settlement of margins.

At December 31, 2023, the credit risk in financial cash instruments was equal to the instruments’ carrying value. The expected credit losses on cash equivalents and interest-bearings securities classified as amortized cost were immaterial. Credit exposure in derivative instruments was SEK 0.4 (0.8) billion.

Liquidity risk

The Company minimizes the liquidity risk by maintaining a sufficient cash position, centralized cash management, investments in highly liquid interest-bearing securities, and by having sufficient committed credit lines in place to meet potential funding needs. For information about contractual obligations, analyzed by contractual maturity, see note D4 “Contractual obligations.” The short-term commitment on debt in the next 12 months are sufficiently covered

by cash and other interest-bearing assets at year end. Ongoing collection from customers are expected to satisfy operational requirements including trade payables and other purchase obligations. Commitments for new customer finance is not expected to have negative short-term effect on collection as majority are sold within a short period. Where required, the Company expects short-term borrowing facilities to be drawn down or rolled over to meet liquidity needs.


Cash, cash equivalents, interest bearing securities and derivative assets
2023	Rating or equi- valent		< 3 M		3–12 M		1–5 Y		>5 Y		Total
Bank deposits				33,298		181		—		—		33,479
Other financial institutions				548		—		—		—		548
Type of issuer:
Governments		AA/AAA		789		490		1,254		—		2,533
Corporates		A2/P2		1,510		296		—		—		1,806
Mortgage institutes		AAA		1,995		5,668		8,676		—		16,339
Derivative assets				445		749		622		35		1,851

				38,585		7,384		10,552		35		56,556


2022	Rating or equi- valent		< 3 M		3–12 M		1–5 Y		>5 Y		Total
Bank deposits				38,485		166		7		—		38,658
Other financial institutions				604		—		—		—		604
Type of issuer:
Governments		AA/AAA		915		3,950		277		—		5,142
Corporates		A2/P2		1,283		—		—		—		1,283
Mortgage institutes		AAA		—		1,682		8,880		—		10,562
Derivative assets				323		385		277		136		1,121
				41,610		6,183		9,441		136		57,370

Refinancing risk

Refinancing risk is the risk that the Company is unable to refinance outstanding debt under reasonable terms and conditions, or at all, at a given point in time. The Company mitigates the risk by having diversified funding sources through a mix of bonds, bilateral loans and private placements, with a spread of debt maturing over time. The funding strategy is flexible to enable pre-financing before loan maturities and funding in various currencies. The average maturity of long-term borrowings is 3.7 years (3.8 years) at December 31, 2023. In addition to the long-term funding programs, the Company has a commercial paper program and a committed liquidity revolving credit facility for short-term borrowings.


Funding programs 1)
	Amount		Utilized		Unutilized
Euro Medium Term Note program (USD million)		5,000		2,842		2,158
SEC Registered program (USD million) 2)		—		—		—
Commercial Paper Program (SEK million)		10,000		2,014		7,986

1)	There are no financial covenants related to these programs.

2)	Program amount indeterminate.

In November 2023, the Company issued a 4.5-year EUR 500 million green bond under the Euro Medium Term Note program and Green Financing Framework. During the year, the Company established a new committed liquidity revolving credit facility of USD 1.0 billion, of which USD 0.4 billion was utilized as at year end, and increased the borrowings under the commercial paper program by SEK 2.0 billion. Furthermore, the Company signed two 7-year loan agreements, one with European Investment Bank for USD 273 million and one with Nordic Investment Bank for USD 107 million.


Committed credit facilities
	Amount		Utilized		Unutilized
Multi-currency revolving credit facility (USD million)		2,000		—		2,000
Liquidity revolving credit facility (USD million)		1,000		400		600

In September 2023, the Company exercised the second and the last one-year extension option on the USD 2 billion sustainability-linked revolving credit facility. The facility does not have interest rates linked to credit rating or financial covenants but is linked to two of Ericsson’s sustainability KPIs.

Fair valuation of the Company’s financial instruments

The Company’s financial instruments accounted for at fair value generally meet the requirements of level 1 valuation as they are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. For some of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities, especially derivatives, quoted prices are not readily available and fair values are calculated using market inputs such as interest rate quotes and currency rates.

For financial liabilities designated at fair value to profit and loss, the carrying amount reflects the effect in own credit spreads either in quoted prices or quoted Credit Default Swap (CDS) for Investment Grade companies.

Valuation hierarchy

– Quoted market prices – level 1

Assets and liabilities are classified as level 1 if their value is observable in an active market. Such instruments are valued by reference to unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets where the quoted price is readily available, and the price represents actual and regularly occurring market transactions.

– Valuation technique using observable inputs – level 2

Assets and liabilities classified as level 2 have been valued using models whose inputs are observable either directly or indirectly. Valuations based on observable inputs include cash equivalents (e.g. discounted papers, term deposits) and interest rate derivatives which are valued using interest rate yield curves. Other market observable inputs include credit spreads and FX forward rates. Inputs for base interest rates are quoted fixing rates, interest rates swaps and IBOR rates.

FX derivatives are valued by using observable forward rates, discounted using base interest rate curve. Valuation of foreign exchange options are made using the Black-Scholes formula. The value of credit risks in derivative

contracts are monitored regularly. Derivative credit and debit valuations adjustments are calculated based on outstanding market values and default probabilities from the CDS market, and if effect on valuation is material, are included in the fair value of the derivatives.

– Valuation technique using significant unobservable inputs – level 3

Assets and liabilities are classified as level 3 if their valuation incorporates significant inputs that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs). Apart from trade receivables and customer finance receivables, this valuation technique mainly applies to investment in shares and other participations whereby valuation input is considered observable if it can be directly observed from transactions in an active market, or if there is compelling external evidence demonstrating an executable exit price. Using a market approach to valuation, unobservable inputs are generally determined via reference to observable inputs, historical observations or other analytical techniques.


Reconciliation of Level 3 fair value of other financial asset
	Investment in shares and participations
Opening balance		1,986
Additions		206
Disposals		–2
Gains or losses 1)		–186
Translation differences		–2
Closing balance		2,002

1)	Table shows net gains or losses recognized in Other operating income or expenses, of which SEK 186 million unrealized loss relate to Level 3 assets held at the end of the year.

Financial instruments carried at amortized cost

Financial instruments, such as some cash equivalents, interest-bearing securities, borrowings and payables, are carried at amortized cost which is deemed to be equal to fair value. When a market price is not readily available and there is insignificant interest rate exposure and credit spreads affecting the value, the carrying value is considered to represent a reasonable estimate of fair value.

From January

2023, liquidity portfolios in some subsidiaries are managed on a fair value basis, therefore deposits (cash equivalents) held in these portfolios are reclassified as fair value through profit or loss (previously classified as amortized cost). The fair value of assets reclassified from amortized cost to FVTPL is SEK 2.9 billion. The effect on profit and loss account is a gain of SEK 2 million.

Financial instruments

2023

2022

Amortized

Fair

Fair value hierarchy level

Amortized

Fair

Fair value hierarchy level

SEK billion

cost

value

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

cost

value

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Assets at fair value through profit or loss

Customer finance

–

6.9

–

6.9

–

5.4

–

5.4

Interest-bearing securities

–

19.1

18.6

0.5

–

17.5

–

Cash equivalents

–

17.5

0.8

16.7

–

15.7

–

15.7

–

Other financial assets

–

2.1

0.1

–

2.0

–

2.1

0.1

–

2.0

Other current assets

–

1.9

–

1.9

–

1.1

–

1.1

–

Assets at fair value through OCI

Trade receivable

–

42.2

–

42.2

–

48.4

–

48.4

Assets at amortized cost

Interest-bearing securities

0.4

–

0.4

–

Cash equivalents

–

2.9

–

Other financial assets

0.6

–

0.6

–

Financial assets

1.0

89.7

3.9

90.2

Financial liabilities at designated

FVTPL

Parent Company borrowings

–

–38.0

–23.7

–14.3

–

–29.6

–16.7

–12.9

–

Financial liabilities at FVTPL

Other current liabilities

–

–1.8

–

–1.8

–

–2.6

–

–2.6

–

Liabilities at amortized cost

Trade payables

–27.8

–

–38.4

–

Borrowings

–8.9

–

–3.3

–

Financial liabilities

–36.7

–39.8

–41.7

–32.2

1)	Total Cash and cash equivalent is SEK 35.2 (38.3) billion, of which SEK 17.5 (18.6) billion relating to Cash equivalents are presented in the table above.

Market price risk in own shares and other listed equity investments

The Company is exposed to fluctuations in its own share price through share-based compensation for employees and the Board of Directors. Some of the plans are share-settled and some are cash-settled as further disclosed in note A1 “Material accounting policies”, note G2 “Information regarding members of the Board of Directors and Group management” and note G3 “Share-based compensation.”

Share-based plans for employees

The obligation to deliver shares under the Long-Term Variable compensation programs (LTV) for the Executive Team is covered by holding Ericsson Class B shares as treasury stock. The cash flow exposure is managed through the holding of Ericsson Class B shares as treasury stock shall be sold to generate funds, which also cover social security payments, when shares are delivered to participants at the end of their service period.

Cash-settled plans to employees and the Board of Directors

In the case of synthetic share programs (a cash-settled program as defined in IFRS 2) to Board members and cash-settled plans to employees, the Company is exposed to risks in relation to own share price, both with regard to compensation expenses and social security charges. The obligations to pay compensation amounts under the synthetic share-based compensations to the Board of Directors and employees are covered by a provision in the balance sheet. For further information about LTV, the cash- settled plans to employees and the synthetic share-based compensations to the Board of Directors, see note G2 “Information regarding members of the Board of Directors and Group management” and note G3 “Share-based compensation.”