Sony Ericsson handset sales fall nearly 20%

A day ago, Sony Ericsson issued the first quarter of 2009 financial report. Earnings showed Sony Ericsson's first-quarter shipments were 10.5 million, down 28% from a year earlier, and 1.405 billion euros for the quarter, down 19% from a year earlier.　　Sony Ericsson said that because the existing models in the quarter sales well, the average handset sales price of 134 euros, year-on-year, the chain has increased by 12%.　　Earnings showed that Sony Ericsson's gross profit margin for the quarter has increased year-on-year, reflecting the benefits of a more favorable product line mix and last year's cost improvements, as well as the impact of certain licensing fees in the quarter. Sony Ericsson said plans to reduce operating costs of € 880 million a year, which began in 2008, are still in progress, and the results of the plan will be fully visible in the second half of 2010. Since the implementation of the plan, as of March 31, 2010, Sony Ericsson has reduced around 3,150 employees worldwide, and currently employs 8450 people.　　As of March 31, 2010, Sony Ericsson's net cash flow was 563 million euros. Sony Ericsson's market share in the first quarter, based on shipments, fell 1%, estimated at around 4%.　　Sony Ericsson still expects a small increase in shipments in the global handset market in 2010. (Wei Ming people posts and telecommunications)