Philips delivers Q2 sales of EUR 4.2 billion, with 9% comparable sales growth; net income amounts to EUR 153 million and Adjusted EBITA margin improves 280 basis points to 12.6%; company announces EUR 1.5 billion share buyback program

Rhea-AI Summary

In Q2 2021, Philips reported EUR 4.2 billion in sales, a 9% growth, despite a 15% decline in comparable order intake. The company’s income from continuing operations dropped to EUR 65 million due to a EUR 250 million provision for quality issues. Adjusted EBITA rose to EUR 532 million, up from EUR 390 million the previous year, achieving a margin of 12.6%. Philips announced a EUR 1.5 billion share buyback program to enhance shareholder value, though concerns about component shortages and COVID-19 impacts remain.

Positive

• Adjusted EBITA increased to EUR 532 million, representing a margin of 12.6%, up from 9.8% in Q2 2020.
• Announced a new share buyback program of EUR 1.5 billion, aimed at enhancing shareholder value.
• Comparable sales growth of 33% in Personal Health business, reflecting strong consumer demand.

Negative

• Income from continuing operations decreased to EUR 65 million, down from EUR 195 million in Q2 2020.
• Comparable order intake decreased by 15%, heavily impacted by prior year COVID-19 boosts.
• EUR 250 million provision for component quality issues, affecting profitability and future costs.

July 26, 2021

Second-quarter highlights

• Group sales increased to EUR 4.2 billion, with 9% comparable sales growth
• Comparable order intake decreased 15%, with strong double-digit growth in the Diagnosis & Treatment businesses and a decline in the Connected Care businesses on the back of COVID-19-related 167% growth in Q2 2020
• Income from continuing operations decreased to EUR 65 million due to a EUR 250 million provision related to field actions to address a component quality issue. Income from continuing operations was EUR 195 million in Q2 2020.
• Adjusted EBITA increased to EUR 532 million, or 12.6% of sales, compared to EUR 390 million, or 9.8% of sales, in Q2 2020
• Operating cash flow amounted to EUR 332 million, compared to EUR 446 million in Q2 2020
• Free cash flow was EUR 167 million, compared to EUR 212 million in Q2 2020

Frans van Houten, CEO:

“We have mobilized the necessary resources across the company to address the component quality issue in certain of our sleep and respiratory care products. We fully understand the impact that this is having on patients, as their well-being is at the heart of everything we do at Philips. We are in discussions with the relevant regulatory authorities to obtain authorization to start deploying the repair kits and replacement devices that we are producing.

I am pleased with the good performance momentum in all our businesses except the Sleep & Respiratory Care business, as we delivered a strong 9% comparable sales growth and 280 basis points profitability improvement for the Group in the quarter. I am particularly encouraged by the 29% order intake growth in our Diagnosis & Treatment businesses, as well as the strong growth of our Personal Health businesses.

In the quarter, we introduced exciting innovations, such as the new Spectral CT 7500 to help improve disease characterization and reduce rescans and follow-ups. The integration of BioTelemetry and Capsule Technologies is proceeding well, and our customers appreciate the expanded portfolio of end-to-end patient care management solutions from the hospital to the home. We entered 12 new long-term strategic partnerships, building on the strength of our portfolio and demonstrating the trust hospital leaders have in our ability to enhance health outcomes and lower the cost of care, while improving patient and staff experience.

Confident in our strategy and financial trajectory, we are launching a new share buyback program of EUR 1.5 billion in line with our balanced capital allocation policy.

Looking ahead, while we continue to see uncertainty related to the impact of COVID-19 across the world and electronic component shortages, our financial outlook remains within our guided range, with low-to-mid-single-digit comparable sales growth and an Adjusted EBITA margin improvement of 60 basis points expected for the Group in 2021.”

Business segment performance

The Diagnosis & Treatment businesses recorded 16% comparable sales growth, with double-digit growth in all businesses. Comparable order intake increased 29%, with strong double-digit growth in Image-Guided Therapy, Ultrasound and Diagnostic Imaging. The Adjusted EBITA margin increased to 13.2%, mainly driven by sales growth and productivity measures.

Comparable sales in the Connected Care businesses decreased 16%, as mid-single-digit growth in Hospital Patient Monitoring was more than offset by a double-digit decline in Sleep & Respiratory Care. Comparable order intake decreased significantly following the steep COVID-19-related increase in Q2 2020. The Hospital Patient Monitoring business continues to perform well above 2019 levels. The newly acquired BioTelemetry and Capsule Technologies businesses continue to deliver strong sales growth with increasing profitability. The Adjusted EBITA margin amounted to 11.3%, mainly due to the impact in the Sleep & Respiratory Care business.

The Personal Health businesses recorded a strong comparable sales growth of 33%, driven by double-digit growth across all businesses. The Adjusted EBITA margin increased to 17.0%, mainly driven by sales growth and productivity measures, partly offset by investments in advertising & promotion.

Philips’ ongoing focus on innovation and partnerships resulted in the following highlights in the quarter:

• In China, Philips signed a contract with Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child Care Hospital to streamline and advance the delivery of critical care across multiple departments of the hospital. Philips will provide its advanced critical care information system, patient monitoring solutions and diagnostic cardiology solutions.
• Building on their successful cooperation in MR-guided adaptive radiation therapy, Philips and Elekta deepened the partnership to advance personalized cancer care through precision oncology solutions to deliver more precise therapy, shorter treatment times, and lower cost of care.
• Philips introduced the Spectral CT 7500 system, which delivers high-quality spectral images for a broad patient base, including cardiac, pediatric and bariatric patients, further expanding the company’s comprehensive CT portfolio, which comprises spectral and conventional CT systems, as well as radiation oncology CT systems, and advanced informatics and services.
• Philips launched IntraSight Mobile, which offers users in hospitals and office-based labs the integration, flexibility and affordability of a single mobile system for intravascular imaging, physiology measurements and co-registration for seamless workflows and enhanced patient care. Building on the success of IntraSight, the launch will further reinforce Philips’ leading position in image- guided therapy.
• Philips announced progress on several clinical studies including the positive two-year clinical study results for the Tack Endovascular System for dissection repair, the first patient enrollment in the DEFINE GPS multicenter study to further drive the adoption of iFR for percutaneous coronary interventions based on clinical evidence, and the start of the WE-TRUST multicenter stroke study to shorten treatment times by identifying, planning and treating ischemic stroke patients in the interventional suite. Moreover, Philips announced the first structural heart repair procedure at Mayo Clinic using its new 3D intracardiac echocardiography catheter VeriSight Pro.
• Philips introduced its integrated Interventional Hemodynamic System with the portable Patient Monitor IntelliVue X3, providing advanced vital signs measurements at the tableside in the interventional suite and continuous monitoring across care settings. Uninterrupted patient monitoring can help to improve clinical decision making and timely detection of potential adverse events at every stage.
• The global launch of Philips’ most advanced electric toothbrush, the Sonicare 9900 Prestige, was well received, with an average 4.7 (out of 5) star rating by consumers. The premium electric toothbrush leverages AI to optimize the user’s brushing technique, ensuring full coverage of their teeth, and instills brushing habits that improve oral health.
• Expanding the company’s leading male grooming portfolio, Philips introduced the Shaver Series 9000 with SkinIQ technology in China. The premium shaver leverages AI and sensors to offer a personalized shave tailored to each unique skin and hair type. It will also be launched in North America and Europe in the second half of the year.

Cost savings

In the second quarter, productivity savings amounted to EUR 90 million, of which procurement savings amounting to EUR 44 million, and savings of EUR 46 million delivered by overhead and other programs.

Capital allocation


Today, Philips is announcing a new share buyback program for capital reduction purposes for an amount of up to EUR 1.5 billion. At the current share price, the program represents a total of approximately 36.8 million shares, or 4% of total shares outstanding. Philips expects to start the program in the third quarter of 2021 and to complete it within three years. It is expected that the program will be executed through a number of forward purchase transactions with one or more financial institutions and/or open market purchases by an intermediary to allow for transactions during both open and closed periods in accordance with the EU Market Abuse Regulation. Updates on the progress of the program and further details will be made available here, and through press releases as appropriate.

Under Philips’ ongoing EUR 1.5 billion share buyback program for capital reduction purposes, which was initiated in the first quarter of 2019, Philips repurchased shares in the open market and entered into a number of forward transactions. Philips had 2,500,000 shares delivered in June 2021 as part of the program, and under the currently outstanding forward contracts the company expects to have another 17,976,023 shares delivered in the remainder of 2021. These shares will be cancelled by December 31, 2021, resulting in an estimated total number of issued shares of 897 million by that date, compared to 917 million shares at the end of Q2 2021. Further details can be found here.

Domestic Appliances

On March 25, 2021, Philips announced that it had signed an agreement to sell its Domestic Appliances business to global investment   firm Hillhouse Capital. As planned, on July 1, 2021 the Domestic Appliances business became a stand-alone entity and the sale is on track for completion in the third quarter of 2021. Since the first quarter of 2021, the Domestic Appliances business (which was previously part of the Personal Health segment) is reported as a discontinued operation. Philips will continue to consolidate Domestic Appliances under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) until the sale is completed.


Regulatory update

On June 14, 2021 Philips initiated a voluntary recall notification in the US/field safety notice outside the US for certain sleep and respiratory care products to address identified potential health risks related to the polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR) sound abatement foam in these devices.

Philips has established dedicated call centers and a device registration process to support patients. The company is increasing its production, service and repair capacity and has requested the relevant regulatory clearances for the repair and replacement actions. Subject to these regulatory clearances, Philips is ready to start deploying the repair kits and replacement devices that it is producing. Given the estimated scope of the field actions on the installed base, Philips has taken a provision of EUR 250 million in the second quarter of 2021, in addition to the provision that the company recorded in the first quarter of 2021.

Click here to view the release online

For further information, please contact:


Martijn van der Starre
Philips Global Press Office
Tel.: +31 6 2847 4617
E-mail: martijn.van.der.starre@philips.com

Derya Guzel
Philips Investor Relations
Tel.: +31 20 59 77055
E-mail: derya.guzel@philips.com


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 the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2020 sales of EUR 19.5 billion and employs approximately 77,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.

Forward-looking statements and other important information

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. 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: changes in industry or market circumstances; economic, political and societal changes; Philips’ increasing focus on health technology and solutions; the successful completion of divestments such as the disentanglement and divestment of our Domestic Appliances businesses; the realization of Philips’ objectives in growth geographies; business plans and integration of acquisitions; securing and maintaining Philips’ intellectual property rights, and unauthorized use of third- party intellectual property rights; COVID-19 and other pandemics; breaches of cybersecurity; IT system changes or failures; the effectiveness of our supply chain; challenges to drive operational excellence, productivity and speed in bringing innovations to market; attracting and retaining personnel; future trade arrangements following Brexit; compliance with regulations and standards including quality, product safety and data privacy; compliance with business conduct rules and regulations; treasury risks and other financial risks; tax risks; costs of defined-benefit pension plans and other post- retirement plans; reliability of internal controls, financial reporting and management process. As a result, Philips’ actual future results may differ materially from the plans, goals and expectations set forth in such forward-looking statements. For a discussion of factors that could cause future results to differ from such forward-looking statements, see also the Risk management chapter included in the Annual Report 2020.

Third-party market share data

Statements regarding market share, contained in this document, including those regarding Philips’ competitive position, are based on outside sources such as specialized research institutes, industry and dealer panels in combination with management estimates. Where information is not yet available to Philips, market share statements may also be based on estimates and projections prepared by management and/or based on outside sources of information.
Management's estimates of rankings are based on order intake or sales, depending on the business.

Market Abuse Regulation

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

Use of non-IFRS information

In presenting and discussing the Philips Group’s financial position, operating results and cash flows, management uses certain non-IFRS financial measures. These non-IFRS financial measures should not be viewed in isolation as alternatives to the equivalent IFRS measure and should be used in conjunction with the most directly comparable IFRS measures. Non-IFRS financial measures do not have standardized meaning under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. A reconciliation of these non-IFRS measures to the most directly comparable IFRS measures is contained in this document. Further information on non-IFRS measures can be found in the Annual Report 2020.

Use of fair value information

In presenting the Philips Group’s financial position, fair values are used for the measurement of various items in accordance with the applicable accounting standards. These fair values are based on market prices, where available, and are obtained from sources that are deemed to be reliable. Readers are cautioned that these values are subject to changes over time and are only valid at the balance sheet date. When quoted prices or observable market data are not readily available, fair values are estimated using appropriate valuation models and unobservable inputs. Such fair value estimates require management to make significant assumptions with respect to future developments, which are inherently uncertain and may therefore deviate from actual developments. Critical assumptions used are disclosed in the Annual Report 2020. In certain cases independent valuations are obtained to support management’s determination of fair values.

Presentation

All amounts are in millions of euros unless otherwise stated. Due to rounding, amounts may not add up precisely to totals provided. All reported data is unaudited. Financial reporting is in accordance with the accounting policies as stated in the Annual Report 2020.

In 2020, Philips revised the definition of net finance expenses used in the calculation of Adjusted income from continuing operations attributable to shareholders, to exclude fair value movements of limited life fund investments recognized at fair value through profit and loss. This change leads to more relevant information as the fair value movements are not indicative of Philips' performance. The fair value movements do not represent cash items. Philips believes making this change is helpful for investors to evaluate Philips' performance.

As announced on March 25, 2021, Philips has signed an agreement to sell its Domestic Appliances business. As of the first quarter of 2021, the Domestic Appliances business is presented as a discontinued operation. In this report, comparative results have been restated to reflect the treatment of the Domestic Appliances business as a discontinued operation. Further details of the restatement have been published on the Philips Investor Relations website and can be accessed here.

Prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current-period presentation; this includes immaterial organizational changes.

FAQ

What were Philips' Q2 2021 sales figures?

Philips reported sales of EUR 4.2 billion for Q2 2021, marking a 9% growth.

What is the significance of the EUR 1.5 billion share buyback program announced by Philips?

The EUR 1.5 billion share buyback program aims to enhance shareholder value by reducing the number of shares outstanding.

How did Philips' income from continuing operations change in Q2 2021?

Philips' income from continuing operations decreased to EUR 65 million in Q2 2021, down from EUR 195 million in the same quarter last year.

What challenges did Philips face in Q2 2021?

Philips faced challenges including a 15% decrease in comparable order intake and a EUR 250 million provision for component quality issues.