By
Godfrey Benjamin
July 24th, 2023
In light of its stellar performance and the resilience displayed in the face of challenges, Philips looks to uphold its commitment to creating enduring value and delivering sustainable impact in the long term.
Philips, a prominent Dutch health technology company, has exceeded market expectations in its 2023 third-quarter performance, leading to an upward revision of its full-year outlook.
The company’s core profit more than doubled, reaching an impressive 457 million euros ($483.3 million), while its comparable sales observed a significant 11% surge, totaling 4.5 billion euros.
Philips Raises FY Outlook for 2023
In an official press release on October 23, Philips attributed the solid performance to increased demand for medical scanners, patient monitoring equipment, and personal health services.
The company has adjusted its financial projections for the full year in response to its improved performance and solid order book despite acknowledging the uncertainties stemming from the volatile geopolitical environment.
“Based on Philips’ improved performance year-to-date, the strong order book, and the ongoing actions, the company is further raising its outlook for the full year 2023, although recognizing uncertainties remain in an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment,” it said.
Philips is now anticipating a growth of 6-7% in comparable sales and an adjusted EBITA profit margin of 10-11% for the year 2023. The Dutch technology company aims to achieve free cash flow at the upper end of the targeted range, between EUR 0.7-0.9 billion.
The revised FY guidance reflects an upward revision from its previous forecast of mid-single-digit sales growth and a high single-digit profit margin.
Philips to Diversify Chip Suppliers
While the demand for its medical products fueled sales, new orders experienced a decline of 9% compared to the previous year, primarily due to subdued demand from China post the pre-pandemic surge, compounded by persistent supply chain challenges.
To counter these challenges, the company’s CEO Roy Jakobs revealed a strategic shift towards local production in China and the diversification of chip suppliers, aiming to mitigate the impact of escalating trade tensions.
The company’s robust third-quarter performance, which exceeded the forecasts of analysts polled by the company, has been instrumental in fortifying its position and instilling confidence in its ability to navigate the dynamic market landscape.
With a strengthened order book and a focused approach toward improving operational efficiency, the company remains poised for sustained growth despite persistent uncertainties in the global geopolitical arena.
“We have witnessed a remarkable improvement in our operational performance, driven by our unwavering commitment to enhancing patient safety, reinforcing the reliability of our supply chain, and establishing a streamlined operational model,” said Jakobs.
He further noted that the company’s sustained emphasis on innovations in predictive data analytics and artificial intelligence across its diverse portfolio has yielded a positive impact, fostering an environment conducive to enhancing the quality and efficiency of care delivery.
In light of its stellar performance and the resilience displayed in the face of challenges, Philips looks to uphold its commitment to creating enduring value and delivering sustainable impact in the long term.