Sony Ericsson returns to profitability in first quarter of 2010

But revenue down nearly a fifth from last quarter

Sony Ericsson revenue down a fifth, but now in profit for 2010

Sony Ericsson released its first-quarter 2010 results today, returning to profitability after disastrous 2009 results.

The mobile communications vendor showed profits of €21m (£18m) in Q1 2010, compared with the last quarter of 2009 when it posted a loss of €167m.

However, Sony Ericsson's revenue fell almost 20 per cent to €1.4bn from €1.7bn in the same quarter for 2009.

Sony Ericsson president Bert Nordberg said the 28 per cent fall in mobile devices shipped – at 10.5 million – compared with the same period last year, reflected the streamlining of the portfolio over the past 12 months to focus on higher-end phones.

At the same time as reporting its latest financial results, Sony Ericsson is to replace its chief financial officer Ulf Lilja with ex-Sony Corporation vice president William 'Bill' A Glaser Jr. Lilja will return to partner Ericsson at the end of July.

Sony Ericsson is a 50:50 joint venture by Sony and Ericsson which was set up in October 2001.