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Fresenius Medical Care Achieves Next Milestone in Portfolio Optimization Program, Announcing Sale of Dialysis Clinics in Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador

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Fresenius Medical Care sells dialysis clinic networks in Latin America to DaVita Inc. for USD 300 million, impacting revenue and profitability negatively in 2024.
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  • The divestment of assets in Latin America is expected to result in a net book loss of around EUR 200 million for Fresenius Medical Care in 2024, with additional negative impacts on revenue and operating income.
  • The total impact of all signed transactions as part of the portfolio optimization plan is estimated to negatively impact Fresenius Medical Care by around EUR 230 million in 2024, with a significant portion affecting the first quarter of the year.

Insights

The divestment of assets by Fresenius Medical Care to DaVita Inc. for USD 300 million signifies a strategic move to streamline operations and focus on core markets. The decision to sell 154 dialysis clinics across four countries in Latin America is a substantial reduction in the company's clinic footprint in the region. This move aligns with the company's portfolio optimization program aimed at reducing complexity and improving profitability.

The estimated net book loss of EUR 200 million, with around EUR 140 million impacting the first quarter of 2024, indicates a significant one-time financial hit to Fresenius Medical Care's operating income. However, the expected net cash proceeds of around EUR 250 million could bolster the company's liquidity position. The use of these proceeds to reduce debt is a prudent financial strategy that could improve the company's leverage ratios and potentially lower interest expenses in the long term.

Investors should note that while the short-term financials reflect a considerable loss, the long-term benefits may include a leaner operational structure and enhanced focus on more profitable markets. The impact on the stock market will likely hinge on the company's ability to execute the strategy effectively and the market's perception of the long-term gains versus the short-term financial setback.

The healthcare sector, particularly the dialysis market, is undergoing consolidation, with companies like Fresenius Medical Care and DaVita Inc. re-evaluating their market positions. Fresenius Medical Care's exit from Argentina and the current sale of its Latin American clinics indicate a strategic pivot away from these markets. This could be due to various factors such as market saturation, regulatory challenges, or lower-than-expected profitability.

For DaVita Inc., the acquisition of these clinics could represent an expansion opportunity in Latin America, suggesting that DaVita may perceive a strategic advantage or untapped potential that Fresenius did not. The transaction's impact on the dialysis market in these countries could lead to increased competition and potentially drive improvements in service quality and efficiency.

Stakeholders in the renal care industry should monitor how this consolidation affects market dynamics, including pricing, access to care and regulatory responses. Additionally, the broader implications for healthcare providers could include shifts in competitive strategies and resource allocation in emerging markets.

The divestiture of Fresenius Medical Care's clinics in Latin America reflects a trend towards specialization and focus within the healthcare industry. By reducing its presence in markets deemed non-core, Fresenius Medical Care can allocate resources and management attention to regions and services where it holds a competitive edge. This move may also be a response to the increasing cost pressures and regulatory complexities in the healthcare sector.

It is essential to consider the operational impact of such a divestment on the quality of care for over 30,000 dialysis patients. The transition to DaVita Inc.'s management will require careful oversight to ensure continuity of care. Furthermore, the effect on the more than 7,100 employees transitioning to a new employer should be considered, as it could influence employee morale and patient care during the transition period.

The divestment's estimated negative impact on Fresenius Medical Care's full-year 2024 financials, treated as a special item, suggests that the company is undergoing a significant transformation. Stakeholders should assess the long-term strategic benefits, such as potential improvements in operational efficiency and profitability, against the immediate financial costs and operational risks.

  • Divestment of assets includes four separate country transactions to DaVita Inc. for USD 300 million
  • Transactions further reduce the Company`s clinic footprint in Latin America, following the exit from Argentina at the end of 2023
  • Expected to close throughout 2024
  • Proceeds to be used to reduce debt

BAD HOMBURG, Germany, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fresenius Medical Care, the world's leading provider of products and services for individuals with renal diseases, today announced the sale of its dialysis clinic networks in Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Ecuador to DaVita Inc. for a total transaction price of USD 300 million. Subject to regulatory approvals in Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador, the transactions represent another milestone in Fresenius Medical Care's portfolio optimization program, with each expected to close throughout 2024.

"We continue to move at pace in optimizing our portfolio, to reduce complexity and improve profitability. This is a key element of our transformational journey," said Helen Giza, CEO for Fresenius Medical Care AG. "I also wanted to take a moment to thank our teams in Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and Ecuador for their incredible commitment, passion and dedication in serving our patients with the world-class, high-quality care they deserve."

These four separate transactions in aggregate represent 154 dialysis clinics, more than 7,100 employees, more than 30,000 dialysis patients, and recorded pro-forma revenue of approx. EUR 370 million in 2023.

The associated net book loss for the four Latin America transactions is estimated to negatively impact Fresenius Medical Care by around EUR 200 million in the full year 2024, thereof by around EUR 140 million in the first quarter of 2024, and will be treated as a special item in operating income. Depending on exchange rates, the Company expects net cash proceeds of around EUR 250 million in 2024 from these transactions.

All transactions that are currently signed as part of the Company's portfolio optimization plan are estimated to negatively impact Fresenius Medical Care by around EUR 230 million in the full year 2024, thereof by around EUR 145 million in the first quarter of 2024, and will be treated as a special item in operating income.

About Fresenius Medical Care:
Fresenius Medical Care is the world's leading provider of products and services for individuals with renal diseases of which around 4.1 million patients worldwide regularly undergo dialysis treatment. Through its network of 3,925 dialysis clinics, Fresenius Medical Care provides dialysis treatments for approx. 333,000 patients around the globe. Fresenius Medical Care is also the leading provider of dialysis products such as dialysis machines or dialyzers. Fresenius Medical Care is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FME) and on the New York Stock Exchange (FMS).

For more information visit the Company's website at www.freseniusmedicalcare.com.

Disclaimer:
This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to, changes in business, economic and competitive conditions, legal changes, regulatory approvals, impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic results of clinical studies, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, uncertainties in litigation or investigative proceedings, and the availability of financing. These and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in Fresenius Medical Care's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Fresenius Medical Care does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release.

Media contact
Christine Peters 
T +49 160 60 66 770
christine.peters@freseniusmedicalcare.com  

Contact for analysts and investors
Ilia Kürten
T +49 6172 268 59 66 
ilia.kuerten@freseniusmedicalcare.com  

www.freseniusmedicalcare.com

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SOURCE Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.

FAQ

What assets did Fresenius Medical Care divest in Latin America?

Fresenius Medical Care divested its dialysis clinic networks in Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and Ecuador.

Who acquired the assets in the divestment transactions?

DaVita Inc. acquired the dialysis clinic networks from Fresenius Medical Care in Latin America.

What was the total transaction price for the divestment?

The total transaction price for selling the assets in Latin America was USD 300 million.

How many dialysis clinics were part of the divestment transactions?

In total, 154 dialysis clinics were included in the divestment transactions.

What is the expected impact on revenue for Fresenius Medical Care in 2024?

The divestment is expected to negatively impact Fresenius Medical Care's revenue by around EUR 200 million in 2024.

How will the divestment transactions affect operating income for Fresenius Medical Care?

The divestment transactions will be treated as a special item in operating income, with an estimated negative impact of around EUR 145 million in the first quarter of 2024.

What is the expected net cash proceeds for Fresenius Medical Care in 2024 from these transactions?

Fresenius Medical Care expects net cash proceeds of around EUR 250 million in 2024 from the divestment transactions in Latin America.

What is the CEO's statement regarding the divestment transactions?

Helen Giza, CEO of Fresenius Medical Care AG, mentioned that the divestment is part of the company's portfolio optimization program to reduce complexity and improve profitability.

How many employees and dialysis patients are impacted by the divestment transactions?

More than 7,100 employees and over 30,000 dialysis patients are impacted by the divestment transactions in Latin America.

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