Shares of Koninklijke Philips NV (PHG, Financials) fell 11.6% in pre-market trading Wednesday as the company reported weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter revenue and a sharp decline in demand from China. The stock closed at $28.31 on Tuesday, up 0.4%, but dropped to $25.02 in pre-market trading at 8:11 a.m. GMT-5 on Wednesday.
Mostly steady from the year before, the Dutch healthcare technology company reported Q4 sales of €5.04 billion ($5.27 billion), rather below analyst estimates of €5.07 billion. Comparable sales slowed significantly from the 6% increase seen in the previous-year quarter, rising 1% for the quarter and the whole year.
Roy Jakobs, the CEO of Philips, linked the poor performance to a double-digit drop in consumer demand in China, therefore influencing both consumer and health systems sectors. For 2025, the business projects a mid-to high-single-digit drop in full-year comparative sales in China.
Segment findings were conflicting. Comparable sales down 1% in the Diagnosis & Treatment Unit; Personal Health dropped 2%. But the section on connected care saw a 7% rise.
Profitability increased even with a revenue shortage. Up 60 basis points from a year ago, Philips reported a Q4 adjusted EBITDA margin of 13.5%. The adjusted EBITDA margin for full-year 2024 climbed 90 basis points to 11.5%. Forecasting a range of 11.8% to 12.3%, the business predicts further profit increase in 2025 with equivalent revenue growth of 1% to 3%. But given royalties phasing, growth is projected to be weighted toward the latter part of the year.
Relating to its recall of sleep apnea equipment in the United States, Philips recently concluded a $1.1 billion personal injury settlement. Payments for settlement start in the first half of 2025.
