Financial income and expenses

A breakdown of the Financial income and expenses is shown in the table below.

The net interest expense in 2009 was EUR 147 million higher than in 2008, as a result of lower interest income due to lower interest rates applied to an average lower liquid asset position of the Group and higher interest costs associated with hedging.

In 2009, income from the sale of securities totaled EUR 126 million. This included a EUR 69 million gain from the sale of remaining shares in LG Display, and a EUR 48 million gain from the sale of remaining shares in Pace Micro Technology. These gains were partially offset by impairment charges amounting to EUR 58 million, mainly from shareholdings in NXP. Other financial income in 2009 primarily consisted of a EUR 19 million gain related to the revaluation of the convertible bonds received from TPV Technology and CBAY, and dividend income totaling EUR 16 million, EUR 12 million of which related to holdings in LG Display. Other financial expenses included EUR 15 million accretion expenses mainly associated with discounted asbestos provisions.

2008 included a gain of EUR 1,406 million, mainly on the sale of shares in TSMC, LG Display and D&M. 2008 also included EUR 23 million dividend from TSMC. These were partly offset by EUR 1,148 million non-cash impairment losses at NXP, LG Display, and Pace Micro Technology. Additionally, 2008 included a EUR 37 million loss related to the revaluation of the TPV Technology convertible bond.

For further information, refer to note (4) Financial income and expenses in the Group financial statements.