Mobile telephone maker Sony Ericsson posted healthy fourth quarter results for 2004 on Tuesday. The equally owned joint venture between Japan's Sony and Sweden's Ericsson reported a net income of 55 million euros (71.9 million dollars) for the fourth quarter of 2004, a 28 per cent increase compared to the 43 million euros posted in the corresponding period in 2003. For the fourth quarter of 2004, Sony Ericsson reported a turnover of 2.0 billion euros (2.6 billion dollars), up 40 per cent on the 1.4 billion euros posted for the corresponding quarter in 2003. The company said it sold 12.6 million handsets during the fourth quarter compared to 8.0 million units in the corresponding quarter in 2003. Miles Flint, President of Sony Ericsson said: "2004 was a good year for Sony Ericsson", adding, "The fourth quarter continued a trend of expansion in both volume and sales, showing the company's ability to effectively compete in this dynamic market." Sony Ericsson was formed in 2001 in an effort to challenge industry leaders Nokia and Motorola. Finnish-based Nokia was due to release its fourth quarter report 2004 next week.
