Koninklijke Philips NV (PHG) Q3 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Challenges in China ...

In This Article:

  • Comparable Sales: Flat in Q3 2024, impacted by a decline in China.

  • Orders: Decreased by 2%, with a year-to-date increase of 1% despite a double-digit decline in China.

  • Adjusted EBITDA Margin: Improved by 160 basis points to 11.8%.

  • Free Cash Flow: EUR22 million, influenced by higher earnings and working capital outflows.

  • Diagnosis & Treatment Sales: Decreased by 1%, with a 12.6% adjusted EBITDA margin.

  • Connected Care Sales: Flat, with a 360 basis points increase in adjusted EBITDA margin to 7.3%.

  • Personal Health Sales: Decreased by 5%, with a 16.5% adjusted EBITDA margin.

  • Net Debt: Approximately EUR6.5 billion, with a leverage ratio improvement to 2.2 times.

  • Adjusted Diluted EPS: EUR0.32 in Q3 2024, a 9% increase year-to-date.

  • Full Year Sales Outlook: Revised to a range of 0.5% to 1.5% comparable sales growth.

  • Full Year Free Cash Flow: Expected to be around EUR0.9 billion.

Release Date: October 28, 2024

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • Koninklijke Philips NV (NYSE:PHG) delivered a strong improvement in profitability with an adjusted EBITDA margin improvement of 160 basis points.

  • The company achieved solid sales growth outside of China, particularly in North America, where diagnosis and treatment orders remained strong.

  • Koninklijke Philips NV (NYSE:PHG) is making significant progress on its three-year plan, focusing on growth and margin expansion opportunities.

  • The company has improved its supply chain, with lead times back to normal and increased service levels.

  • Koninklijke Philips NV (NYSE:PHG) has launched several innovative products, including AI-powered baby monitors and FDA-approved medical devices, enhancing its market position.

Negative Points

  • Sales were flat, and orders slightly decreased due to deteriorating demand from hospitals and consumers in China.

  • The company has lowered its full-year sales outlook due to ongoing challenges in the Chinese market.

  • Personal Health segment saw a 5% decrease in comparable sales, primarily due to a double-digit decline in China.

  • Visibility around the impact of anticorruption measures and government programs in China remains limited, affecting hospital equipment sales.

  • Free cash flow was lower than expected, at EUR22 million, due to working capital outflows and seasonal phasing.

Q & A Highlights

Q: To what extent was the softness in the hospital equipment business in China driven by overall market weakness, or were there Philips-specific issues? A: The softness was primarily due to market developments, with a deterioration in orders and sales not yet stabilizing. Visibility remains low, but Philips is actively engaging with customers and preparing for when demand returns. (Roy Jakobs, CEO)