Ericsson, the world’s biggest maker of mobile telecommunications equipment, released strong third-quarter results but revealed pressure on gross margins. Pre-tax profits rose by almost 25 per cent during the first nine months of the year compared with the same period in 2004, with increasing demand for professional services outstripping growth in equipment. For the three months to September 30, the group earned SKr8 billion before tax, a rise of 25 per cent over the previous year, on sales that were 14 per cent higher at SKr36.2 billion. Gross margins for the first nine months of the year slipped from 46.6 per cent to 46.4 per cent. For the same period, operating margins improved to 19.2 per cent from 21.4 per cent.
