Alcon's Broad Portfolio Delivers Robust Sales and Earnings Growth in FY 2023
-
Q4 2023 sales of
$2.3 billion , up 8%, or 10% constant currency(1) (cc) -
Q4 2023 diluted EPS of
$0.86 , compared to a loss in the prior year(3); core diluted EPS(2) of$0.70 up 67%, or 78% cc -
FY 2023 sales of
$9.4 billion , up 8%, or 10% cc -
FY 2023 diluted EPS of
$1.96 , up 188%; core diluted EPS of$2.74 , up 22%, or 33% cc - FY 2024 outlook: 6% to 8% cc sales growth, 13% to 16% cc core diluted EPS growth
Ad Hoc Announcement Pursuant to Art. 53 LR
Fourth quarter and full year 2023 key figures
|
|
Three months ended
|
|
Twelve months ended
|
||||
|
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
Net sales ($ millions) |
|
2,332 |
|
2,155 |
|
9,370 |
|
8,654 |
Operating margin (%) |
|
8.9% |
|
1.0% |
|
11.1% |
|
7.8% |
Diluted earnings/(loss) per share ($) |
|
0.86 |
|
(0.20) |
|
1.96 |
|
0.68 |
Core results (non-IFRS measure)(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Core operating margin (%) |
|
18.9% |
|
16.4% |
|
19.7% |
|
18.2% |
Core diluted earnings per share ($) |
|
0.70 |
|
0.42 |
|
2.74 |
|
2.24 |
(1) |
Constant currency is a non-IFRS measure. Refer to the 'Footnotes' section for additional information. |
|
(2) |
Core results, such as core operating income, core operating margin and core diluted EPS, are non-IFRS measures. Refer to the 'Footnotes' section for additional information. |
|
(3) |
Q4 2022 included legal settlement costs and the tax impact of an Advanced Pricing Agreement. Q4 2023 includes a tax benefit of |
Fourth quarter and full year 2023 results
Sales for the fourth quarter of 2023 were
The following table highlights net sales by segment for the fourth quarter and full year 2023:
|
|
Three months
|
|
Change % |
|
Twelve months
|
|
Change % |
|||||||||
($ millions unless indicated otherwise) |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
|
$ |
|
cc(1) (non-IFRS measure) |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
|
$ |
|
cc(1) (non-IFRS measure) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Surgical |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Implantables |
|
438 |
|
434 |
|
1 |
|
5 |
|
1,703 |
|
1,725 |
|
(1 |
) |
|
2 |
Consumables |
|
688 |
|
636 |
|
8 |
|
9 |
|
2,719 |
|
2,499 |
|
9 |
|
|
11 |
Equipment/other |
|
226 |
|
204 |
|
11 |
|
14 |
|
892 |
|
821 |
|
9 |
|
|
12 |
Total Surgical |
|
1,352 |
|
1,274 |
|
6 |
|
8 |
|
5,314 |
|
5,045 |
|
5 |
|
|
8 |
Vision Care |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact lenses |
|
579 |
|
530 |
|
9 |
|
10 |
|
2,400 |
|
2,192 |
|
9 |
|
|
11 |
Ocular health |
|
401 |
|
351 |
|
14 |
|
17 |
|
1,656 |
|
1,417 |
|
17 |
|
|
19 |
Total Vision Care |
|
980 |
|
881 |
|
11 |
|
13 |
|
4,056 |
|
3,609 |
|
12 |
|
|
14 |
Net sales to third parties |
|
2,332 |
|
2,155 |
|
8 |
|
10 |
|
9,370 |
|
8,654 |
|
8 |
|
|
10 |
Surgical growth driven by international markets
For the fourth quarter of 2023, Surgical net sales, which include implantables, consumables and equipment/other, were
-
Implantables net sales were
$438 million , an increase of 1%, led by demand for advanced technology intraocular lenses in international markets, partially offset by unfavorable currency impacts of 4%. Implantables net sales increased 5% constant currency. -
Consumables net sales were
$688 million , an increase of 8%, reflecting demand for cataract and vitreoretinal consumables, particularly in international markets, and price increases. Growth was partially offset by unfavorable currency impacts of 1%. Consumables net sales increased 9% constant currency. -
Equipment/other net sales were
$226 million , an increase of 11%, driven by demand for cataract and vitreoretinal equipment in international markets and higher service revenues. Growth was partially offset by unfavorable currency impacts of 3%. Equipment/other net sales increased 14% constant currency.
For the full year 2023, Surgical net sales were
Double-digit Vision Care growth reflects strength across the franchise, including acquired products, and pricing
For the fourth quarter of 2023, Vision Care net sales, which include contact lenses and ocular health, were
-
Contact lenses net sales were
$579 million , an increase of 9%, driven by product innovation, including sphere and toric product launches, and price increases. Growth was partially offset by declines in legacy lenses and unfavorable currency impacts of 1%. Contact lenses net sales increased 10% constant currency. -
Ocular health net sales were
$401 million , an increase of 14%, primarily driven by the portfolio of eye drops, including acquired ophthalmic pharmaceutical products, price increases and recovery from supply chain challenges in contact lens care. Growth was partially offset by unfavorable currency impacts of 3%. Ocular health net sales increased 17% constant currency, including 4 percentage points from products acquired in 2022.
For the full year 2023, Vision Care net sales were
Operating income
Fourth quarter 2023 operating income was
Adjustments to arrive at core operating income(2) in the current year period were
Fourth quarter 2023 core operating margin was 18.9%. Core operating margin increased 2.5 percentage points, reflecting improved underlying operating leverage from higher sales and manufacturing efficiencies. Core operating margin benefits were partially offset by increased inflationary impacts and a negative 1.1 percentage point impact from currency. Core operating margin increased 3.6 percentage points on a constant currency basis.
Operating income for the full year 2023 was
Core operating margin for the full year 2023 was 19.7%, an increase of 1.5 percentage points. Core operating margin increased 2.8 percentage points on a constant currency basis.
Diluted earnings per share (EPS)
Fourth quarter 2023 diluted earnings per share were
Diluted earnings per share for the full year 2023 were
Proposed dividend
The Company's Board of Directors proposed a dividend of
Balance sheet and cash flow highlights
The Company ended 2023 with a cash position of
Free cash flow(4), a non-IFRS measure, was an inflow of
(4) |
Free cash flow is a non-IFRS measure. Refer to the 'Footnotes' section for additional information. |
2024 outlook
The Company provided its 2024 outlook as per the table below.
2024 outlook(5) |
February |
Net sales (USD) |
|
Change vs. prior year (cc)(1) (non-IFRS measure) |
+6% to +8% |
Core operating margin(2) (non-IFRS measure) |
20.5% to 21.5% |
Interest expense and Other financial income & expense |
|
Core effective tax rate(6) (non-IFRS measure) |
~20% |
Core diluted EPS(2) (non-IFRS measure) |
|
Change vs. prior year (cc)(1) (non-IFRS measure) |
+13% to +16% |
This outlook assumes the following:
- Aggregated markets grow in line with historical averages (mid-single digits)
-
Exchange rates as of the end of
January 2024 prevail through year-end; - Approximately 498 million weighted-averaged diluted shares.
(5) |
The forward-looking guidance included in this press release cannot be reconciled to the comparable IFRS measures without unreasonable effort, because we are not able to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate amount or nature of exceptional items in the fiscal year. Refer to the 'Footnotes' section for additional information. |
|
(6) |
Core effective tax rate, a non-IFRS measure, is the applicable annual tax rate on core taxable income. Refer to the 'Footnotes' section for additional information. |
Webcast and Conference Call Instructions
The Company will host a conference call on
Today,
The Company's 2023 Annual Report, interim financial report and supplemental presentation materials can be found online through
Footnotes (pages 1-5)
(1) |
|
Constant currency (cc) is a non-IFRS measure. Growth in constant currency (cc) is calculated by translating the current year’s foreign currency items into US dollars using average exchange rates from the historical comparative period and comparing them to the values from the historical comparative period in US dollars. An explanation of non-IFRS measures can be found in the 'Non-IFRS measures as defined by the Company' section. |
(2) |
|
Core results, such as core operating income, core operating margin and core EPS, are non-IFRS measures. For additional information, including a reconciliation of such core results to the most directly comparable measures presented in accordance with IFRS, see the explanation of non-IFRS measures and reconciliation tables in the 'Non-IFRS measures as defined by the Company' and 'Financial tables' sections. |
(3) |
Q4 2022 included legal settlement costs and the tax impact of an Advanced Pricing Agreement. Q4 2023 includes a tax benefit of |
|
(4) |
|
Free cash flow is a non-IFRS measure. For additional information regarding free cash flow, see the explanation of non-IFRS measures and reconciliation tables in the 'Non-IFRS measures as defined by the Company' and 'Financial tables' sections. |
(5) |
|
The forward-looking guidance included in this press release cannot be reconciled to the comparable IFRS measures without unreasonable efforts, because we are not able to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate amount or nature of exceptional items in the fiscal year. Refer to the section 'Non-IFRS measures as defined by the Company' for more information. |
(6) |
|
Core effective tax rate, a non-IFRS measure, is the applicable annual tax rate on core taxable income. For additional information, see the explanation regarding reconciliation of forward-looking guidance in the 'Non-IFRS measures as defined by the Company' section. |
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains, and our officers and representatives may from time to time make, certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “intend,” “commitment,” “look forward,” “maintain,” “plan,” “goal,” “seek,” “target,” “assume,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding our liquidity, revenue, gross margin, operating margin, effective tax rate, foreign currency exchange movements, earnings per share, our plans and decisions relating to various capital expenditures, capital allocation priorities and other discretionary items such as our market growth assumptions, our social impact and sustainability plans, targets, goals and expectations, and generally, our expectations concerning our future performance.
Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties and risks that are difficult to predict such as: cybersecurity breaches or other disruptions of our information technology systems; compliance with data privacy, identity protection and information security laws, particularly with the increased use of artificial intelligence; the impact of a disruption in our global supply chain or important facilities, particularly when we single-source or rely on limited sources of supply; our ability to forecast sales demand and manage our inventory levels and the changing buying patterns of our customers; our ability to manage social impact and sustainability matters; our reliance on outsourcing key business functions; global and regional economic, financial, monetary, legal, tax, political and social change; our success in completing and integrating strategic acquisitions; the success of our research and development efforts, including our ability to innovate to compete effectively; our ability to comply with the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 and other applicable anti-corruption laws; pricing pressure from changes in third party payor coverage and reimbursement methodologies; our ability to properly educate and train healthcare providers on our products; our ability to protect our intellectual property; our ability to comply with all laws to which we may be subject; the ability to obtain regulatory clearance and approval of our products as well as compliance with any post-approval obligations, including quality control of our manufacturing; the effect of product recalls or voluntary market withdrawals; the accuracy of our accounting estimates and assumptions, including pension and other post-employment benefit plan obligations and the carrying value of intangible assets; the impact of unauthorized importation of our products from countries with lower prices to countries with higher prices; our ability to service our debt obligations; the need for additional financing through the issuance of debt or equity; the effects of litigation, including product liability lawsuits and governmental investigations; supply constraints and increases in the cost of energy; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; legislative, tax and regulatory reform; the impact of being listed on two stock exchanges; the ability to declare and pay dividends; the different rights afforded to our shareholders as a Swiss corporation compared to a US corporation; the effect of maintaining or losing our foreign private issuer status under US securities laws; and the ability to enforce US judgments against Swiss corporations.
Additional factors are discussed in our filings with the
Intellectual Property
This report may contain references to our proprietary intellectual property. All product names appearing in italics or ALL CAPS are trademarks owned by or licensed to
Non-IFRS measures as defined by the Company
Because of their non-standardized definitions, the non-IFRS measures (unlike IFRS measures) may not be comparable to the calculation of similar measures of other companies. These supplemental non-IFRS measures are presented solely to permit investors to more fully understand how
Core results
Taxes on the adjustments between IFRS and core results take into account, for each individual item included in the adjustment, the tax rate that will finally be applicable to the item based on the jurisdiction where the adjustment will finally have a tax impact. Generally, this results in amortization and impairment of intangible assets and acquisition-related restructuring and integration items having a full tax impact. There is usually a tax impact on other items, although this is not always the case for items arising from legal settlements in certain jurisdictions.
A limitation of the core measures is that they provide a view of
Constant currency
Changes in the relative values of non-US currencies to the US dollar can affect
Constant currency calculations have the goal of eliminating two exchange rate effects so that an estimate can be made of underlying changes in the Consolidated Income Statement excluding:
- the impact of translating the income statements of consolidated entities from their non-US dollar functional currencies to the US dollar; and
- the impact of exchange rate movements on the major transactions of consolidated entities performed in currencies other than their functional currency.
Free cash flow
Growth rate and margin calculations
For ease of understanding,
Gross margins, operating income/(loss) margins and core operating income margins are calculated based upon net sales to third parties unless otherwise noted.
Reconciliation of guidance for forward-looking non-IFRS measures
The forward-looking guidance included in this press release cannot be reconciled to the comparable IFRS measures without unreasonable efforts, because we are not able to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate amount or nature of exceptional items in the fiscal year. These items are uncertain, depend on many factors and could have a material impact on our IFRS results for the guidance period.
Financial tables
Net sales by region
|
|
Three months ended
|
|
Twelve months ended
|
||||||||
($ millions unless indicated otherwise) |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,067 |
46% |
|
989 |
46% |
|
4,312 |
46% |
|
3,897 |
45% |
International |
|
1,265 |
54% |
|
1,166 |
54% |
|
5,058 |
54% |
|
4,757 |
55% |
Net sales to third parties |
|
2,332 |
100% |
|
2,155 |
100% |
|
9,370 |
100% |
|
8,654 |
100% |
Consolidated Income Statement (unaudited)
|
|
Three months ended
|
|
Twelve months ended
|
||||||
($ millions except earnings/(loss) per share) |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
|
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
|
Net sales to third parties |
|
2,332 |
|
2,155 |
|
|
9,370 |
|
8,654 |
|
Other revenues |
|
20 |
|
16 |
|
|
85 |
|
63 |
|
Net sales and other revenues |
|
2,352 |
|
2,171 |
|
|
9,455 |
|
8,717 |
|
Cost of net sales |
|
(1,049 |
) |
(986 |
) |
|
(4,141 |
) |
(3,910 |
) |
Cost of other revenues |
|
(13 |
) |
(15 |
) |
|
(67 |
) |
(59 |
) |
Gross profit |
|
1,290 |
|
1,170 |
|
|
5,247 |
|
4,748 |
|
Selling, general & administration |
|
(794 |
) |
(762 |
) |
|
(3,209 |
) |
(3,068 |
) |
Research & development |
|
(208 |
) |
(196 |
) |
|
(828 |
) |
(702 |
) |
Other income |
|
6 |
|
19 |
|
|
80 |
|
36 |
|
Other expense |
|
(86 |
) |
(210 |
) |
|
(251 |
) |
(342 |
) |
Operating income |
|
208 |
|
21 |
|
|
1,039 |
|
672 |
|
Interest expense |
|
(47 |
) |
(40 |
) |
|
(189 |
) |
(134 |
) |
Other financial income & expense |
|
7 |
|
(12 |
) |
|
(18 |
) |
(75 |
) |
Income/(loss) before taxes |
|
168 |
|
(31 |
) |
|
832 |
|
463 |
|
Taxes |
|
259 |
|
(66 |
) |
|
142 |
|
(128 |
) |
Net income/(loss) |
|
427 |
|
(97 |
) |
|
974 |
|
335 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Earnings/(loss) per share ($) |
||||||||||
Basic |
|
0.87 |
|
(0.20 |
) |
|
1.98 |
|
0.68 |
|
Diluted |
|
0.86 |
|
(0.20 |
) |
|
1.96 |
|
0.68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Weighted average number of shares outstanding (millions) |
||||||||||
Basic |
|
493.3 |
|
491.8 |
|
|
493.0 |
|
491.4 |
|
Diluted |
|
496.4 |
|
491.8 |
|
|
496.5 |
|
494.4 |
|
Balance sheet highlights
($ millions) |
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
1,094 |
|
980 |
Current financial debts |
|
145 |
|
107 |
Non-current financial debts |
|
4,594 |
|
4,541 |
Free cash flow (non-IFRS measure)
The following is a summary of free cash flow for the twelve months ended
|
Twelve months ended |
||||
($ millions) |
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
Net cash flows from operating activities |
1,388 |
|
|
1,217 |
|
Purchase of property, plant & equipment |
(658 |
) |
|
(636 |
) |
Free cash flow |
730 |
|
|
581 |
|
Reconciliation of IFRS results to core results (non-IFRS measure)
Three months ended
($ millions except earnings per share) |
IFRS r esults |
Amortization of certain intangible assets(1) |
Transformation costs(3) |
Other items(5) |
Core results (non- IFRS measure) |
||||
Gross profit |
1,290 |
164 |
|
— |
|
(6 |
) |
1,448 |
|
Operating income |
208 |
167 |
|
57 |
|
8 |
|
440 |
|
Income before taxes |
168 |
167 |
|
57 |
|
8 |
|
400 |
|
Taxes(6) |
259 |
(30 |
) |
(12 |
) |
(272 |
) |
(55 |
) |
Net income |
427 |
137 |
|
45 |
|
(264 |
) |
345 |
|
Basic earnings per share ($) |
0.87 |
|
|
|
0.70 |
|
|||
Diluted earnings per share ($) |
0.86 |
|
|
|
0.70 |
|
|||
Basic - weighted average shares outstanding (millions)(7) |
493.3 |
|
|
|
493.3 |
|
|||
Diluted - weighted average shares outstanding (millions)(7) |
496.4 |
|
|
|
496.4 |
|
Refer to the associated explanatory footnotes at the end of the 'Reconciliation of IFRS results to core results (non-IFRS measure)' tables.
Three months ended
($ millions except (loss)/earnings per share) |
IFRS results |
Amortization of certain intangible assets(1) |
Impairments(2) |
Transformation costs(3) |
Legal items(4) |
Other items(5) |
Core results (non-IFRS measure) |
|||||
Gross profit |
1,170 |
|
149 |
|
— |
— |
|
— |
|
3 |
1,322 |
|
Operating income |
21 |
|
151 |
|
1 |
78 |
|
70 |
|
32 |
353 |
|
(Loss)/income before taxes |
(31 |
) |
151 |
|
1 |
78 |
|
70 |
|
32 |
301 |
|
Taxes(6) |
(66 |
) |
(26 |
) |
— |
(14 |
) |
(17 |
) |
31 |
(92 |
) |
Net (loss)/income |
(97 |
) |
125 |
|
1 |
64 |
|
53 |
|
63 |
209 |
|
Basic (loss)/earnings per share ($) |
(0.20 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
0.42 |
|
|||
Diluted (loss)/earnings per share ($) |
(0.20 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
0.42 |
|
|||
Basic - weighted average shares outstanding (millions)(7) |
491.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
491.8 |
|
|||
Diluted - weighted average shares outstanding (millions)(7) |
491.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
495.0 |
|
Refer to the associated explanatory footnotes at the end of the 'Reconciliation of IFRS results to core results (non-IFRS measure)' tables.
Twelve months ended
($ millions except earnings per share) |
IFRS results |
Amortization of certain intangible assets(1) |
Transformation costs(3) |
Other items(5) |
Core results (non-IFRS measure) |
||||
Gross profit |
5,247 |
663 |
|
— |
|
7 |
|
5,917 |
|
Operating income |
1,039 |
675 |
|
139 |
|
(4 |
) |
1,849 |
|
Income before taxes |
832 |
675 |
|
139 |
|
(4 |
) |
1,642 |
|
Taxes(6) |
142 |
(121 |
) |
(26 |
) |
(277 |
) |
(282 |
) |
Net income |
974 |
554 |
|
113 |
|
(281 |
) |
1,360 |
|
Basic earnings per share ($) |
1.98 |
|
|
|
2.76 |
|
|||
Diluted earnings per share ($) |
1.96 |
|
|
|
2.74 |
|
|||
Basic - weighted average shares outstanding (millions)(7) |
493.0 |
|
|
|
493.0 |
|
|||
Diluted - weighted average shares outstanding (millions)(7) |
496.5 |
|
|
|
496.5 |
|
Refer to the associated explanatory footnotes at the end of the 'Reconciliation of IFRS results to core results (non-IFRS measure)' tables.
Twelve months ended
($ millions except earnings per share) |
IFRS results |
Amortization of certain intangible assets(1) |
Impairments(2) |
Transformation costs(3) |
Legal items(4) |
Other items(5) |
Core results (non-IFRS measure) |
||||||
Gross profit |
4,748 |
|
572 |
|
59 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
2 |
5,381 |
|
Operating income |
672 |
|
588 |
|
62 |
|
119 |
|
90 |
|
40 |
1,571 |
|
Income before taxes |
463 |
|
588 |
|
62 |
|
119 |
|
90 |
|
40 |
1,362 |
|
Taxes(6) |
(128 |
) |
(99 |
) |
(14 |
) |
(20 |
) |
(22 |
) |
29 |
(254 |
) |
Net income |
335 |
|
489 |
|
48 |
|
99 |
|
68 |
|
69 |
1,108 |
|
Basic earnings per share ($) |
0.68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.25 |
|
||||
Diluted earnings per share ($) |
0.68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.24 |
|
||||
Basic - weighted average shares outstanding (millions)(7) |
491.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
491.4 |
|
||||
Diluted - weighted average shares outstanding (millions)(7) |
494.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
494.4 |
|
Refer to the associated explanatory footnotes at the end of the 'Reconciliation of IFRS results to core results (non-IFRS measure)' tables.
Explanatory footnotes to IFRS to core reconciliation tables
(1) |
Includes recurring amortization for all intangible assets other than software. | |
(2) |
Includes impairment charges related to intangible assets. |
|
(3) |
Transformation costs, primarily related to restructuring and third party consulting fees, for the multi-year transformation program. The transformation program was completed in the fourth quarter of 2023. |
|
(4) |
Includes legal settlement costs. |
|
(5) |
For the three months ended |
|
For the three months ended |
||
For the twelve months ended |
||
For the twelve months ended |
||
(6) |
For the three months ended |
|
For the three months ended |
||
For the twelve months ended |
||
For the twelve months ended |
||
(7) |
Core basic earnings per share is calculated using the weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Core diluted earnings per share also contemplate dilutive shares associated with unvested equity-based awards as described in Note 5 to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements. |
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