Sony Ericsson's Q4 comeback

Sony Ericsson's fourth quarter results are turning heads: Net profit more than tripled year-over-year, units shipped were up 61 percent and the handset maker added one percent to its marketshare, giving it 9 percent now. The metrics include a net profit of €447 million, up from €144 million last year; revenue of €3.78 billion, up from €2.31 billion; 26 million units shipped; and an average handset selling price of €146.   

Sony Ericsson's impressive quarter is not only a personal best, but also runs counter to the current climate in the handset sector as average selling prices fall because emerging markets are looking for cheaper, stripped down devices. Motorola gave a profit warning last week and Nokia has also been affected by this downward trend, but the once most conspicuous music-phone brand is climbing.

For more on Sony Ericsson's Q4 comeback:
- see this article in the WSJ (sub. req.)