Philips sees some improvement in Q4 2022 and takes firm actions to address operational challenges in an uncertain environment
Fourth-quarter highlights
Group sales amounted to
Comparable order intake decreased 8%, due to lower demand for COVID-19-related products compared to 2021 and company actions to improve the order book margin profile
Income from operations amounted to
Adjusted EBITA of
Operating cash flow was
Full-year highlights
Group sales amounted to
Comparable order intake decreased 3% compared to 4% growth in 2021
Income from operations amounted to a loss of
Adjusted EBITA of
Operating cash outflow of
Proposed dividend maintained at
As we are working through the operational challenges, we progressed on our execution priorities in the fourth quarter. We provided an important and encouraging update on the complete set of test results for the first-generation DreamStation sleep therapy devices and have completed around 90% of the production for the remediation. We were able to secure more components to convert our order book into sales, although the supply chain situation remains challenging. Our order book remains strong, despite the comparable order intake decline in the quarter. The previously announced workforce reduction by 4,000 roles globally and other actions are being implemented as planned.
Today, we will present Philips' plan to create value with sustainable impact, which is based on focused organic growth to deliver patient- and people-driven innovation at scale with improved execution as key value driver, prioritizing patient safety and quality, supply chain reliability and a simplified operating model. We are confident that these measures will enable us to deliver on our purpose to improve people's health and well-being through meaningful innovation and create value for all our stakeholders.'
Group and business segment performance
Sales for the Group in the quarter were
The Diagnosis & Treatment businesses' comparable sales increased 5% in the quarter, driven by high-single-digit growth in Ultrasound and Image-Guided Therapy. Comparable order intake decreased 7% due to company actions to improve the order book margin profile, and on the back of 10% growth in Q4 2021. The Adjusted EBITA margin was 11.3%, which was mainly due to cost inflation, partly offset by increased sales. For the full year, the Diagnosis & Treatment businesses recorded a 1% comparable sales decline and an Adjusted EBITA margin of 8.4%.
The Connected Care businesses' comparable sales increased 5% in the quarter, driven by strong double-digit growth in Hospital Patient Monitoring. Comparable order intake decreased by 10%, mainly due to lower demand for COVID-19-related acute care products compared to 2021. The Adjusted EBITA margin increased to 12.6%, mainly due to increased sales and productivity measures, partly offset by cost inflation. For the full year, the Connected Care businesses recorded an 11% comparable sales decline, mainly due to a strong double-digit decline in Sleep & Respiratory Care, and an Adjusted EBITA margin of 2.2%.
Highlights of Philips' ongoing focus on innovation and customer partnerships in the quarter
Demonstrating the trust hospital leaders have in Philips' strategy and solutions to help them improve health outcomes and productivity, and deliver care that is more convenient and sustainable, Philips signed around 100 new long-term strategic partnerships with hospitals and health systems across the world in 2022.
Philips ranked as the number 1 brand in the personal health category on E-commerce platforms JD and Ali during the 'Double 11' shopping festival in
In 2022, Philips' products and solutions improved the lives of 1.8 billion people, including 200 million people in underserved communities. In addition, Philips was again recognized with the prestigious 'A' score for its climate action leadership by global environmental non-profit CDP (
Philips launched the Ultrasound Compact 5000, which is designed for portability and versatility with premium image quality and performance, to facilitate first-time-right ultrasound exams for more patients.
In 2022, Philips' Image-Guided Therapy business reached sales of over
At RSNA 2022, one of the largest radiology meetings globally, Philips featured its latest AI-powered diagnostic systems and multi-vendor workflow solutions that help reduce clinical complexity and enhance operational efficiency. This included the MR 5300 with its unique BlueSeal magnet for helium-free operations and sustainable imaging with premium image quality and lower site costs. Philips also featured its vendor-neutral, multi-modality Radiology Operations Command Center, which is a multi-site telepresence solution that provides advanced tele-acquisition capabilities and seamlessly connects imaging experts at a command center with technologists at scanning locations across an organization.
In
As previously disclosed,
Outlook
Looking ahead, Philips expects to deliver low-single-digit comparable sales growth and high-single-digit Adjusted EBITA margin in 2023. Considering the slowing of consumer demand and a gradual improvement of the order book conversion during 2023, Philips anticipates a slow start to the year, with improvements throughout the year supported by the ongoing productivity, pricing and other actions.
This guidance excludes the impact of the ongoing discussion on the proposed consent decree beyond current assumptions (Sleep & Respiratory Care/Respironics CSGR 2023-2025 of 10%), as well as ongoing litigation and the investigation by the
Dividend
Philips intends to submit to the 2023 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders a proposal to declare a dividend of
About Royal Philips
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and well-being, and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum - from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in
Forward-looking statements
This document and the related oral presentation, including responses to questions following the presentation, contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Philips and certain of the plans and objectives of Philips with respect to these items. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements made about our strategy, estimates of sales growth, future Adjusted EBITA), future restructuring and acquisition-related charges and other costs, future developments in Philips' organic business and the completion of acquisitions and divestments. Forward-looking statements can be identified generally as those containing words such as 'anticipates', 'assumes', 'believes', 'estimates', 'expects', 'should', 'will', 'will likely result', 'forecast', 'outlook', 'projects', 'may' or similar expressions. By their nature, these statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements.
These factors include but are not limited to: Philips' ability to gain leadership in health informatics in response to developments in the health technology industry; Philips' ability to transform its business model to health technology solutions and services; macroeconomic and geopolitical changes; integration of acquisitions and their delivery on business plans and value creation expectations; securing and maintaining Philips' intellectual property rights, and unauthorized use of third-party intellectual property rights; Philips' ability to meet expectations with respect to ESG-related matters; failure of products and services to meet quality or security standards, adversely affecting patient safety and customer operations; breaches of cybersecurity; Philips' ability to execute and deliver on programs on business transformation and IT system changes and continuity; the effectiveness of our supply chain; attracting and retaining personnel; COVID and other pandemics; challenges to drive operational excellence and speed in bringing innovations to market; compliance with regulations and standards including quality, product safety and (cyber) security; compliance with business conduct rules and regulations; treasury and financing risks; tax risks; reliability of internal controls, financial reporting and management process.
Philips has recognized a provision related to the voluntary recall notification in the US/field safety notice outside the US for certain sleep and respiratory care products, based on Philips' best estimate for the expected field actions. Future developments are subject to significant uncertainties, which require management to make estimates and assumptions about items such as quantities and the portion to be replaced or repaired. Actual outcomes in future periods may differ from these estimates and affect the company's results of operations, financial position and cash flows. In Q3 2022 there was a goodwill impairment charge of
Adverse changes to these assumptions would cause a material impairment loss to be recognized. Furthermore,
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