Philips operational results improved by 50% to EUR 875 million, while net income was impacted by significant charges in Q4

    •    Deal signed to transfer Audio, Video, Multimedia and Accessories business to Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    •    Comparable sales increased 3%; growth geographies up 10%
    •    EBITA excluding restructuring and other charges increased by 50% to EUR 875 million, or 12.2% of sales; reported EBITA of EUR 50 million
    •    Net income, excluding the European Commission fine of EUR 509 million, amounted to EUR 154 million
    •    Inventories as a percentage of sales improved by 2 percentage points compared to fourth quarter of 2011
    •    Free cash flow of EUR 899 million
    •    Proposed dividend at EUR 0.75 per share
 
Frans van Houten, CEO of Royal Philips Electronics:

“We are pleased with the continued improvement of our operational performance in the fourth quarter. Through our Accelerate! program, we are making good progress in transforming Philips into an agile and entrepreneurial company, driving improved and sustainable results. My deep appreciation goes to our employees for their hard work and to our customers for their continued trust in Philips.
 
Our growth initiatives are working, as we increased sales despite the challenging economic environment in western economies. Our operational results improved across all sectors, as a result of increased sales, overhead cost reductions, and gross margin expansion. We also exceeded our inventory reduction goals as we stepped up working capital management. Underlying performance improved, as EBITA excluding restructuring and other charges increased by 50% to EUR 875 million, which is 12.2% of sales.
 
Net income in the quarter was significantly impacted by charges such as the fine imposed by the European Commission, which we intend to appeal, as well as restructuring costs. The restructuring will fundamentally lower our cost base and improve our financial performance in the coming years.
 
Today we announced that we have signed an agreement with Funai to transfer our Philips Audio, Video, Multimedia and Accessories businesses. This transaction will leverage Philips’ strong brand, strength in innovation, and leadership position in these businesses, with Funai's strong presence in America and Japan, and its supply and manufacturing expertise. I am confident the deal will give this business a great future, with continuity for our customers. We have taken an important step in transforming Philips into the leading technology company in health and well-being.
 
While we have made significant progress in 2012, there is still much more to be done to unlock and deliver the full potential of Philips. Going forward, by executing on our Accelerate! program, we will continue to relentlessly drive operational excellence and invest in innovation and sales development to deliver profitability and growth.
 
The challenging economic environment in 2012, notably in Europe and United States, has impacted our order book, and hence we expect our sales in 2013 to start slow and pick up in the second half of the year. We remain confident in our ability to further improve our operational and financial performance, enabling us to achieve our 2013 financial targets”.
 
Q4 financials: Good growth at Healthcare, Lighting and growth businesses in Consumer Lifestyle. Operating margins excluding restructuring and acquisition-related charges improved across all sectors.
 
Healthcare comparable sales grew by 4%, led by high-single-digit growth at Home Healthcare Systems, mid-single-digit growth at Customer Services and low-single-digit growth at both Imaging Systems and Patient Care & Clinical Informatics. In growth geographies, comparable sales increased by 19%. Currency-comparable order intake increased by 4% year-on-year. EBITA margin excluding restructuring and acquisition-related charges increased year-on-year by 3.0 percentage points to 18.8%.
 
Consumer Lifestyle comparable sales increased by 2%, driven by double-digit growth in the combined growth businesses, i.e. Personal Care, Health & Wellness and Domestic Appliances. Sales increases were partly offset by a decline at Lifestyle Entertainment. EBITA margin excluding restructuring and acquisition-related charges increased year on-year by 3.4 percentage points to 11.7%. All businesses in the sector improved underlying profitability.
 
Lighting comparable sales increased by 4%, with growth in all businesses, notably double-digit growth at Lumileds and mid-single-digit growth at Consumer Luminaires and Automotive. LED-based sales grew by 43% and now account for 25% of total Lighting sales. Both Lumileds and Consumer Luminaires returned to profitability in the quarter. EBITA margin excluding restructuring and acquisition-related charges increased year-on-year by 4.9 percentage points to 8.6%. Higher restructuring charges impacted the reported EBITA for the quarter.
 
The fourth-quarter results were impacted by a fine of EUR 509 million from the European Commission related to the Cathode-Ray Tubes (CRT) industry. Philips divested its CRT activities in 2001 to LPD, a joint venture with LG Electronics which operated as an independent company and was not consolidated in Philips' accounts. Philips intends to appeal the decision. Restructuring and acquisition-related charges of EUR 358 million, and EUR 154 million of other charges mainly related to legal matters and the loss on the sale of industrial assets, also impacted the results for the quarter.
 
Philips has completed 73% of the EUR 2 billion share buy-back program since the start of the program in July 2011.