Signify reports full-year sales of EUR 6.9 billion, operational
profitability of 11.6% and a free cash flow of EUR 614 million
Press Release
January 28, 2022
Signify reports full-year sales of EUR 6.9 billion,
operational profitability of 11.6% and a free cash flow of EUR 614
million
Fourth quarter
20211
- Sales of EUR 2,008 million; comparable sales growth of
4.5%
- Order book increase of 67% in Q4 21 vs. Q4 20
- Adj. EBITA margin of 13.2% (Q4 20: 13.4%)
- Net income of EUR 170 million (Q4 20: EUR 137 million)
- Free cash flow of EUR 257 million (Q4 20: EUR 332 million)
- Repayment of EUR 350 million of
debt, as committed
Full year 2021
- Signify's installed base of connected light points increased
from 77 million at YE 20 to 96 million at YE 21
- Sales of EUR 6,860 million; comparable sales growth of
3.8%
- LED-based sales represented 83% of total sales (FY 20:
80%)
- Adj. EBITA margin of 11.6% (FY 20: 10.7%)
- Net income of EUR 407 million (FY 20: EUR 335 million)
- Free cash flow of EUR 614 million, 8.9% of sales (FY 20: EUR
817 million)
- Net debt/EBITDA ratio of 1.4x (YE
20: 1.7x)
Dividend
- Proposal to pay a cash dividend of
EUR 1.45 per share over 2021
Eindhoven, the Netherlands – Signify (Euronext:
LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, today announced the company’s
fourth quarter and full-year 2021 results.
“The strong demand for connected lighting and our growth
platforms, paired with the delivery of delayed orders, enabled us
to achieve a comparable sales growth of 4.5% in the fourth quarter.
Our teams’ relentless focus on the execution of our strategy
enabled us to deliver against our objectives for the year. This, in
an external environment that was possibly even more challenging
than in 2020. Despite the significant cost increases of raw
materials, components, and logistics, we expanded our operational
profit margin for the eighth consecutive year, with an improvement
of 90 basis points. This was driven by the strong performance of
our two digital divisions, which combined now account for more than
80% of our sales, profit and cash flow. Finally, during the year we
continuously made significant progress on our journey to double our
positive impact on the environment and society,” said CEO Eric
Rondolat.
“While we expect uncertainty to remain high in the first half of
this year, we’re confident that we will manage this volatility with
the same agility as we demonstrated in the past two years. Our 2021
results provide us with a solid base on which to deliver another
year of growth in 2022. This will be driven by continued
investments in our growth platforms, such as the intended
acquisition of Fluence. The world's demand for energy-efficient and
digital lighting technologies continues to accelerate and Signify
is well positioned to capture the potential this creates.”
Brighter Lives, Better World 2025
In the fourth quarter, Signify completed the first year of its
Brighter Lives, Better World 2025 program, making substantial
progress towards doubling its positive impact on the environment
and society:
- Double the pace of the Paris agreement:
Cumulative carbon reduction over the value chain was 60 million
tonnes, and is ahead of track. All of Signify's divisions had CO2
emission reductions. The main driver remains the accelerated shift
to energy efficient and connected LED lighting in 2021, which
decreases the carbon emissions in the use phase.
- Double our Circular revenues to 32%: Circular
revenues increased to 25%, compared with the 2019 baseline of 16%.
Signify is on track to achieve the 2025 target of 32%. This
positive trend is driven by the further expansion of serviceable
professional luminaires, and the continuous, stable contribution of
consumer luminaires and circular components.
- Double our Brighter lives revenues to 32%:
Brighter lives revenues were 27%, with a strong contribution from
the consumer well-being portfolio. With this performance, Signify
is making good progress towards the 2025 target of 32%.
- Double the percentage of women in leadership to
34%: The percentage of women in leadership positions was
25%, stable when compared with last quarter. This performance is
slightly behind the 2021 intermediary step aimed at reaching the
2025 target of 34%. In Q4, Signify launched the Powering Inclusion
Series, which increases the awareness of its leaders and people
managers on how to foster inclusion.
Signify is in the top 1% of its industry in the S&P Global
Corporate Sustainability Assessment and is included in the Dow
Jones Sustainability World Index for the fifth consecutive year,
illustrating its drive for leadership in sustainability.
OutlookAs Signify continues to proactively navigate through the
gradually improving component and logistics environment, it
provides the following outlook for 2022:
- Comparable sales growth in the range of 3-6%
- Continued Adjusted EBITA margin improvement of up to 50
bps
- Free cash flow in excess of 8% of sales
Capital allocation
Signify proposes a cash dividend of EUR 1.45 per share for 2021,
in line with its plan to pay an increasing annual cash dividend per
share year on year. The dividend proposal will be subject to
approval at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) to be
held on May 17, 2022. Further details will be provided in the
agenda for the AGM.
The company expects to progress towards a leverage ratio of
reported net debt/EBITDA of 1x by the end of 2022. This now
includes the cash outflow from the intended Fluence acquisition,
and the 2022 cash inflow from its operations and the continued
rationalization of the company’s real estate portfolio.
Finally, Signify will continue to invest in organic and
inorganic growth opportunities in line with its strategic
priorities.
Financial review
Fourth quarter |
|
Twelve months |
2020 |
2021 |
change |
in millions of EUR, except percentages |
2020* |
2021 |
change |
|
|
4.5 % |
Comparable sales growth |
|
|
3.8 % |
|
|
2.2 % |
Effects of currency movements |
|
|
-2.0 % |
|
|
0.2 % |
Consolidation and other changes |
|
|
3.6 % |
1,878 |
2,008 |
6.9 % |
Sales |
6,502 |
6,860 |
5.5 % |
755 |
794 |
5.2 % |
Adjusted gross margin |
2,556 |
2,702 |
5.7 % |
40.2 % |
39.5 % |
|
Adj. gross margin (as % of sales) |
39.3 % |
39.4 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-458 |
-485 |
|
Adj. SG&A expenses |
-1,695 |
-1,748 |
|
-76 |
-74 |
|
Adj. R&D expenses |
-287 |
-284 |
|
-534 |
-559 |
-4.7 % |
Adj. indirect costs |
-1,982 |
-2,032 |
-2.5 % |
28.4 % |
27.8 % |
|
Adj. indirect costs (as % of sales) |
30.5 % |
29.6 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
251 |
265 |
5.8 % |
Adjusted EBITA |
695 |
795 |
14.4 % |
13.4 % |
13.2 % |
|
Adjusted EBITA margin |
10.7 % |
11.6 % |
|
-66 |
-29 |
|
Adjusted items |
-159 |
-159 |
|
185 |
237 |
27.8 % |
EBITA |
536 |
636 |
18.7 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
155 |
205 |
32.5 % |
Income from operations (EBIT) |
416 |
514 |
23.6 % |
-12 |
-4 |
|
Net financial income/expense |
-54 |
-24 |
|
-6 |
-31 |
|
Income tax expense |
-27 |
-83 |
|
137 |
170 |
24.5 % |
Net income |
335 |
407 |
21.4 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
332 |
257 |
|
Free cash flow |
817 |
614 |
|
1.05 |
1.34 |
|
Basic EPS (€) |
2.58 |
3.18 |
|
37,926 |
36,824 |
|
Employees (FTE) |
37,926 |
36,824 |
|
* For comparability purposes, note that figures for the period
only include results of Cooper Lighting since March 2020.
Fourth quarterTotal sales increased to EUR
2,008 million with a comparable sales growth of 4.5%, driven in
particular by the professional segment, which benefited from strong
demand and the partial fulfillment of delayed orders. The two
digital divisions increased their pace of recovery to the
pre-pandemic sales levels of 2019. During the quarter, Signify
continued to face logistics delays across its supply chain, caused
by container shortages and congested ports. At the same time,
component shortages continued to ease, thereby allowing the company
to partially fulfill delayed orders. By the end of the quarter, the
order book had increased by 67% versus last year.
The adjusted gross margin decreased by 70 bps to 39.5%, on a
high comparison base of 2020. In Q4, price increases and positive
mix effect fully offset the effect of higher COGS. Adjusted
indirect costs as a percentage of sales decreased by 60 bps to
27.8%, driven by operating leverage, structural cost savings and
one-off effects in the previous year, which included provisions for
the reimbursement of solidarity contributions to employees.
Adjusted EBITA increased to EUR 265 million. Adjusted EBITA
margin decreased by 20 bps to 13.2%, mainly due to higher COGS,
partly offset by pricing, positive sales mix and operating
leverage.
Total restructuring costs were EUR 11 million,
acquisition-related charges were EUR 13 million and other
incidental costs were EUR 5 million. Net income increased from EUR
137 million to EUR 170 million, mainly as a result of higher income
from operations and lower net financial expenses.
Full yearTotal sales increased by 5.5% to EUR
6,860 million. Comparable sales growth of 3.8% was driven by the
two digital divisions, which benefited from strong consumer and
professional demand for connected products and for our growth
platforms. LED-based sales were 83% of total sales (2020: 80%).
The adjusted gross margin improved by 10 bps to 39.4%, as higher
input and logistics costs were more than compensated by price
increases, positive sales mix and the carryover of bill of
materials savings in the first half of the year. Adjusted indirect
costs as a percentage of sales decreased by 90 bps to 29.6%, as a
result of operating leverage and structural cost savings.
Adjusted EBITA increased by 14.4% to EUR 795 million. Digital
Solutions and Digital Products contributed 82% of Signify's
Adjusted EBITA excluding 'Other' (2020: 79%). The Adjusted EBITA
margin increased by 90 bps to 11.6%, as operating leverage, pricing
and mix more than compensated higher input costs for raw materials,
components and logistics, and a negative currency effect.
Total restructuring costs were EUR 86 million,
acquisition-related charges were EUR 50 million and other
incidental costs were EUR 22 million. Net income increased by 21.4%
to EUR 407 million, driven by a higher income from operations and
lower net financial expenses, partly offset by a higher income tax
expense versus 2020 that benefited from a high one-time non-cash
tax benefit.
¹This press release contains certain non-IFRS
financial measures and ratios, such as comparable sales growth,
EBITA, adjusted EBITA and free cash flow, and related ratios, which
are not recognized measures of financial performance or liquidity
under IFRS. For a reconciliation of these non-IFRS financial
measures to the most directly comparable IFRS financial measures,
see appendix B, Reconciliation of non-IFRS financial measures, of
this press release.
For the full and original version of the press release click
hereFor the presentation click here
Conference call and audio webcastEric Rondolat
(CEO) and Javier van Engelen (CFO) will host a conference call for
analysts and institutional investors at 9:00 a.m. CET to discuss
the fourth quarter and full-year 2021 results. A live audio webcast
of the conference call will be available via the Investor Relations
website.
Financial calendar 2022February
22, 2022 Annual Report 2021April 29, 2022
First quarter results 2022May 17,
2022 Annual General MeetingMay 19,
2022 Ex-dividend dateMay 20,
2022 Dividend record dateMay 31,
2022 Dividend payment dateJuly 29,
2022 Second quarter and
half-year results 2022October 28, 2022 Third
quarter results 2022
For further information, please
contact:Signify Investor RelationsThelke
GerdesTel: +31 6 1801 7131E-mail: thelke.gerdes@signify.com
Signify Corporate
CommunicationsElco van Groningen Tel: +31 6 1086 5519
E-mail: elco.van.groningen@signify.com
About SignifySignify (Euronext:
LIGHT) is the world leader in lighting for professionals and
consumers and lighting for the Internet of Things. Our Philips
products, Interact connected lighting systems and data-enabled
services, deliver business value and transform life in homes,
buildings and public spaces. With 2021 sales of EUR 6.9 billion, we
have approximately 37,000 employees and are present in over 70
countries. We unlock the extraordinary potential of light for
brighter lives and a better world. We achieved carbon neutrality in
2020, have been in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index since
our IPO for five consecutive years and were named Industry Leader
in 2017, 2018 and 2019. News from Signify is located at the
Newsroom, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. Information for
investors can be found on the Investor Relations page.
Important Information
Forward-Looking Statements and Risks &
Uncertainties This document and the related oral
presentation contain, and responses to questions following the
presentation may contain, forward-looking statements that reflect
the intentions, beliefs or current expectations and projections of
Signify N.V. (the “Company”, and together with its subsidiaries,
the “Group”), including statements regarding strategy, estimates of
sales growth and future operational results.
By their nature, these statements involve risks and
uncertainties facing the Company and its Group companies, and a
number of important factors could cause actual results or outcomes
to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking
statement as a result of risks and uncertainties. Such risks,
uncertainties and other important factors include but are not
limited to: adverse economic and political developments, the
impacts of COVID-19, supply chain constraints, component shortages,
rapid technological change, competition in the general lighting
market, development of lighting systems and services, successful
implementation of business transformation programs, impact of
acquisitions and other transactions, reputational and adverse
effects on business due to activities in Environment, Health &
Safety, compliance risks, ability to attract and retain talented
personnel, adverse currency effects, pension liabilities, and
exposure to international tax laws. Please see “Risk Factors and
Risk Management” in Chapter 12 of the Annual Report 2020 for
discussion of material risks, uncertainties and other important
factors which may have a material adverse effect on the business,
results of operations, financial condition and prospects of the
Group. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors should
be read in conjunction with the information included in the
Company’s Annual Report 2020 and Semi-Annual Report 2021.
Additional risks currently not known to the Group or that the
Group has not considered material as of the date of this document
could also prove to be important and may have a material adverse
effect on the business, results of operations, financial condition
and prospects of the Group or could cause the forward-looking
events discussed in this document not to occur. The Group
undertakes no duty to and will not necessarily update any of the
forward-looking statements in light of new information or future
events, except to the extent required by applicable law.
Market and Industry Information All references
to market share, market data, industry statistics and industry
forecasts in this document consist of estimates compiled by
industry professionals, competitors, organizations or analysts, of
publicly available information or of the Group’s own assessment of
its sales and markets. Rankings are based on sales unless otherwise
stated.
Non-IFRS Financial Measures Certain parts of
this document contain non-IFRS financial measures and ratios, such
as comparable sales growth, adjusted gross margin, EBITA, adjusted
EBITA, and free cash flow, and other related ratios, which are not
recognized measures of financial performance or liquidity under
IFRS. The non-IFRS financial measures presented are measures used
by management to monitor the underlying performance of the Group’s
business and operations and, accordingly, they have not been
audited or reviewed. Not all companies calculate non-IFRS financial
measures in the same manner or on a consistent basis and these
measures and ratios may not be comparable to measures used by other
companies under the same or similar names. A reconciliation of
these non-IFRS financial measures to the most directly comparable
IFRS financial measures is contained in this document. For further
information on non-IFRS financial measures, see “Chapter 18
Reconciliation of non-IFRS measures” in the Annual Report 2020.
Presentation All amounts are in millions of
euros unless otherwise stated. Due to rounding, amounts may not add
up to totals provided. All reported data are unaudited. Unless
otherwise indicated, financial information has been prepared in
accordance with the accounting policies as stated in the Annual
Report 2020 and Semi-Annual Report 2021.
Market Abuse Regulation This press release
contains information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU
Market Abuse Regulation.
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