Ron H. Wirahadiraksa
Analyst · JPMorgan
Thank you, Frans. Good morning, and welcome to all of you on the call. I will begin by giving you some color on the developments in the markets we serve and then walk you through the financial performance for the first quarter. Let me start with Healthcare. In the U.S., market conditions continue to be challenging, with hospitals working through the implications of the sequestration and healthcare reform and delaying capital purchase decisions. We expect related market uncertainties to continue into the next month, also pending the upcoming round of budgetary decision-making. The medical device excise tax is now effective with a 2.3% tax on sales of most medical devices. This tax will be deductible for Philips and is applicable to sales of our Imaging and Patient Care & Clinical Informatics business in the U.S. Although we can mitigate the effects, it does have some effect on our bottom line. In Europe, we continue to see significantly-differing market dynamics on a country-by-country basis. Whereas the relatively-smaller markets in Northern Europe display signs of moderate growth, the larger markets, such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland, as well as France, declined slightly. Southern Europe continues to face market declines as a result of the austerity measures undertaken. Overall, economic fundamentals in the European region still point towards an overall flat outlook for 2013 at best. In the growth geographies, the ASEAN region and China continue to record good growth during the first quarter of 2013. On the other hand, Middle East and Turkey, Russia and LatAm witnessed lower market momentum in the first quarter. We expect market growth to be double digits for the growth geographies in 2013. We expect the U.S. and European markets to continue to be challenging, certainly during the first half of 2013. Overall, we maintain a market outlook of around 3% to 4% growth in the Healthcare markets we serve. Consumer markets continue to follow the fluctuating patterns seen in the overall economy with only limited changes in the outlook. The Eurozone continues to look weak. Unemployment increased further to reach 12% overall, with Spain and Greece now at over 26%. Negative consumer confidence prevailed with a stable picture at close to record levels. Total retail sales continue to decline compared to last year. Germany is poised for modest economic growth as the following indicators are improving: unemployment falling to 5.4%; consumer confidence rising to almost neutral; and retail sales increasing versus a year ago. The U.S. picture for consumer markets is improving, with unemployment falling further to 7.6% and improving retail sales. Consumer confidence, however, continues to be quite volatile, reflecting household uncertainty about the sustainability of the economic recovery. In China, consumer confidence reached a new high in February, and retail sales growth in the first quarter was a robust 12% compared to a year ago. Government expectations are for higher growth rates later in the year in China, giving the 14.5% target for 2013. In Brazil, we see the consumer environment getting less positive. Although unemployment is relatively low at 5% to 6%, it is at its highest level since September 2012, resulting in consumer confidence dropping and retail sales growth softening from high-single-digit to mid-single-digit levels. The Lighting market in Q1 2013 increased slightly compared to Q1 2012. The growth was driven by robust demand for LED-based products, while the market for some of the conventional lighting products declined. The U.S. economy showed signs of a modest recovery. In Q1, some indicators pointed to a recovery, most notably architectural buildings, purchasing managers' indices, consumer confidence and housing starts. The construction industry is seeing growth, mainly driven by a recovery in residential construction, which is growing off historically low levels. Nonresidential construction, however, is lagging behind residential and is expected to do so throughout 2013. Uncertainties surrounding government spending and cuts result in a stable market for most segments, while homes and outdoor markets are up. Market demand for lighting products in Western Europe continues to suffer as budget costs -- cuts, high unemployment and economic uncertainty weigh on business and consumer confidence. Both Germany and France saw a contraction in construction output in 2012. Real GDP is expected to remain flat for France in 2013, while Germany is expected to show a slight economic expansion in 2013, according to the EIU. In the growth geographies, construction and economic output remains solid. Consumer lamps and luminaires business in India remain strong. In China, the demand is stable as a slight decline was seen in manufacturing. Some retail change have slowed down new store openings and renovations, and real estate dropped with a new control policy of heavy tax offsetting the growth in other segments. Global vehicle production is expected to have seen a mild contraction in Q1 2013 year-on-year. We expect to see this trend reverse in the remainder of the year. Let me now move to the Philips Group results for the first quarter of 2013. As at the first quarter of this year, we report a profit and loss on the Audio, Video, Multimedia and Accessories business under discontinued operations and the net assets for the business in the balance sheet, underlying assets held for sale. The cash flow of the Audio, Video, Multimedia and Accessories business is reported under cash flow for discontinued operations. Therefore, all commentary that will follow in terms of sales and earnings at Philips Group level and Consumer Lifestyle sector level does not include Audio, Video, Multimedia and Accessories-related information. Also, when I refer to adjusted EBITA on this call, this represents EBITA excluding restructuring, acquisition-related charges and other charges and gains above EUR 20 million. Comparable sales in the first quarter grew by 1% when adjusted for currency and portfolio changes. Comparable sales in our growth geographies increased mid-single digits in the first quarter. Our growth geographies are defined as all markets, excluding the U.S., Canada, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan and Israel. Sales from these growth geographies increased to 34% of group revenues compared to 33% for Q1 last year. On a comparable basis, sales in North America declined by 3% in the quarter. Healthcare was affected by lower order intake in the previous quarters, as well as lower turns businesses within the quarter as sentiment was affected by the uncertain economic environment. Consumer Lifestyle sales in North America had mid-single digit comparable sales growth, while Lighting sales declined, mainly due to lower sales for Professional Lighting Solutions. Group sales in Europe saw a decline in comparable sales of 2% in the quarter, mainly due to Healthcare. Consumer Lifestyle grew low-single digits, while Lighting sales were flat in the quarter. In the other mature markets, the group saw a 10% increase in comparable sales, with Japan continuing to remain strong with 15% growth. In Q1 2012, we had one-off items comprising of the sale of assets, which were the Senseo brand, the High Tech Campus, and industrial assets in Lighting. This had a net positive impact of EUR 172 million on the EBITA, EUR 119 million on the net income and EUR 543 million positive impact on the cash flow. Reported EBITA was EUR 402 million or 7.6% of sales, which is lower than the EUR 451 million or 8.5% of sales reported for Q1 last year. EBITA for Q1 2012 included net positive one-off gains of EUR 172 million, which I have just mentioned before. Restructuring and acquisition-related charges in Q1 2013 were EUR 24 million lower than in Q1 of 2012. Adjusted EBITA was EUR 421 million or 8% of sales in the quarter compared to EUR 320 million or 6.1% of sales for Q1 2012. The improvement in the adjusted EBITA was due to the improved operational performance in all sectors. Net income for the quarter was EUR 162 million, which is a EUR 98 million improvement when excluding the one-off impact of EUR 190 million of net incidental gains in Q1 2012. Cash flow from operating activities for the quarter was an outflow of EUR 228 million compared to an inflow of EUR 297 million in Q1 of 2012. Q1 2013 was impacted by the payment of the EUR 509 million European Commission fine, while Q1 2012 had cash inflows of EUR 543 million due to the Senseo transaction and the sale of the High Tech Campus. Excluding these one-off cash flows, the cash flow from operating activities in Q1 2013 improved to an inflow of EUR 281 million compared to a cash outflow of EUR 246 million in Q1 2012. With that summary, let me now walk you through the performance of each of our businesses during Q1, starting with Healthcare. Currency comparable equipment order intake declined 5% in Q1 2013 compared to Q1 2012. The decrease in order intake was across the board. Order intake in North America was impacted due to the ongoing uncertainty in the market, which I have spoken about earlier. After 2 quarters of double-digit order intake growth in Europe partly due to large multi-year orders, Q1 saw a high-single-digit decline, with most countries declining. However, we did see growth in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The austerity measures in Europe are resulting in lumpy order intake in the recent quarters. Order intake in the growth geographies decreased by 4% on a comparable basis. The decrease in these geographies was in the Patient Care & Clinical Informatics business, where we had a 41% order intake growth in Q1 2012. Order intake in Imaging Systems grew low-single digit. Order intake in China grew double digit, while India and the ASEAN region declined double digit. Order intake for Imaging Systems decreased low-single digit. Patient Care & Clinical Informatics order intake decreased by double digits. PCCI had an 18% increase in order intake in Q1 2012, including certain large deals booked in Q1 last year in the Middle East and Japan. On a currency and portfolio comparable basis, Healthcare's year-on-year sales decreased 1% after growing 9% in Q1 2012. Growth in consumer services and Home Healthcare was offset by a decline in Imaging Systems, while patient -- sorry, while sales in Patient Care and Clinical Informatics remained flat. Comparable sales in the growth geographies decreased to low-double digit in the quarter after a 27% increase in Q1 2012. Comparable sales in Russia, which increased by over 100% in the first 3 quarters of last year, declined by double digits in the first quarter of 2013. Sales in India saw a low-single-digit decline as some installations moved into the second quarter, while Brazil and China grew high-single digit. Comparable sales in Europe declined by 4%, with Southern Europe declining by double digits and the rest of Europe declining by low-single digit. Sales in North America declined by mid-single digit in the quarter, as Imaging Systems, Patient Care & Clinical Informatics and Home Healthcare declined in the quarter while consumer services grew low-single digit. Healthcare reported a first quarter EBITA of EUR 221 million, which is 10.4% of sales and an improvement of 130 basis points compared to the first quarter of 2012. The adjusted EBITA amounted to EUR 224 million or 10.5% of sales, which is above the EUR 211 million or 9.6% of sales in the same period last year. Higher gross margins and reduction in overhead costs resulted in the improved earnings for the quarter despite a subdued top line. Consumer Lifestyle sales, when adjusted for currency and portfolio changes, grew by a strong 10% compared to Q1 of last year. The growth geographies had a comparable sales increase of 19% in the quarter, led by Russia, Taiwan, Brazil, China and the ASEAN region. Sales in North America grew mid-single digit, driven by double-digit growth in Personal Care, while Europe grew low-single digit. Other mature markets, comprising of Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Israel, recorded low-single-digit growth in the quarter. EBITA for the quarter was EUR 98 million or 9.8% of sales. Adjusted EBITA for the sector for Q1 2013 was EUR 99 million in the quarter or 9.9% of sales, compared to EUR 62 million or 6.7% of sales for the first quarter of 2012. The improvement in adjusted EBITA was driven by higher sales and gross margins, overhead cost reductions, as well as the elimination of stranded costs related to the Television business, which were part of the Q1 2012 results. All businesses in Consumer Lifestyle improved their adjusted EBITA in the quarter compared to Q1 2012. For the Audio, Video, Multimedia and Accessories business, which, as explained earlier, is reported in discontinued operations. The net income excluding disentanglement cost related to the transfer of the business, improved to EUR 18 million compared to EUR 15 million in Q1 2012. On Page 15 of the press release, we have provided a simple reconciliation of the results of this business. In Lighting, comparable sales were flat in the quarter compared to Q1 of last year. In our growth geographies, sales excluding Lumileds, increased on a comparable basis by low-single digit. On a more granular basis, sales in Brazil, China and India showed good growth. Europe sales were flat in the quarter, with growth in Western Europe being offset by declining sales in Southern Europe. North America recorded mid-single-digit sales decline in the quarter. We're taking a deeper look into each of the Lighting businesses, so we continue to see strong sales of our LED products with growth of 38% compared to the same quarter in the previous year. Lumileds recorded strong double-digit growth, while Automotive sales grew mid-single digit for the quarter. These were offset by declines in the rest of Lighting. The reported EBITA for Lighting was EUR 147 million or 7.4% of sales, which is a significant improvement compared to the EUR 46 million or 2.3% of sales in the first quarter of 2012. The EBITA for Q1 2013 included EUR 30 million less restructuring and other charges compared to Q1 2012. Adjusted EBITA was EUR 166 million or 8.4% of sales, a significant increase compared to the EUR 95 million in the first quarter of 2012. The improvement was driven by a lower Bill of Materials, including lower phosphor prices, as well as overhead cost savings. Reported EBITA for Innovation, Group & Services amounted to a net cost of EUR 65 million compared to a net cost of EUR 8 million in Q1 2012. The EBITA for Q1 2012 included a gain of EUR 37 million on the sale of the High Tech Campus. Excluding that, the higher net cost was mainly due to lower IP royalties and seasonality. Inventory, as a percentage of sales, improved by 140 basis points to 15.5% at the end of Q1 of 2013 compared to 16.9% in Q1 2012. There was a significant reduction in Healthcare, where inventory, as a percentage of sales, declined by 200 basis points compared to the end of Q1 2012. Imaging Systems reduced inventories by 300 basis points, while Patient Care & Clinical Informatics, Home Healthcare Solutions and Customer Services decreased their inventory by 120, 10 and 190 basis points, respectively. Consumer Lifestyle reduced its inventories, as a percentage of sales, by 140 basis points at the end of Q1 2013. Main reductions were seen in Domestic Appliances with 200 basis points and Personal Care of 80 basis points. In Lighting, inventory, as a percentage of sales, improved by 100 basis points compared to the end of Q1 2012, with Consumer Luminaires inventory down by 440 basis points. Return on invested capital at the end of Q1 2013 declined to 4% from 4.4% in the previous quarter. Excluding incidentals, like the European Commission fine, the profits on the sale of the High Tech Campus and the profit on the Senseo transaction, the return on invested capital increased from 6.3% in Q4 2012 to 7% at the end of Q1 2013. The discount rate for the group is 8.9%. The increase in ROIC was largely due to the effects of higher earnings and improved working capital management. As far as capital allocation is concerned, we have completed 86% of the EUR 2 billion program of Q1 2013 under our share buybacks and on course to complete this program as planned in July 2013. This year will be relatively heavy in terms of cash outflows since we have paid out the EUR 509 million related to European Commission fine, as well as made payments for the various restructuring programs that are running. As mentioned earlier, Accelerate! is focused on organic performance improvement and possible bolt-on M&A transactions to gain access to certain markets or key technologies. We continue our risk mitigation efforts to reduce our risk on pension liabilities, and we'll inform you when we have closure on any such plans. Ladies and gentlemen, let me briefly summarize before opening the line to questions. The improved results for the first quarter of 2012 demonstrate further progress on our path towards our 2013 financial targets. In 2012, we felt the impact of the strong economic headwinds and expect ongoing economic uncertainty to affect growth going forward, especially in the first half of 2013. However, we remain confident in our ability to continue improving the operational and financial performance of the company, driven by the Accelerate! program. With that, let me now open the lines to your questions, which Frans and I will be happy to answer.