October 17, 2018
Fresenius confirms and narrows Group guidance for FY/18 and publishes preliminary results for Q3/18
Fresenius confirms and narrows its Group guidance1 for FY/18. Group sales are expected to increase at the low end of the original 5% to 8%2 guidance range (in constant currency). Fresenius expects net income3,4 growth at the low end of the original 6% to 9% guidance range (in constant currency). Excluding expenditures for the further development of the biosimilars business, net income3,5 growth is projected at the low end of the original ~10% to 13% guidance range (in constant currency). Narrowing the Group guidance ranges is due to updated expectations at Fresenius Medical Care, Fresenius Kabi and Fresenius Helios.
Fresenius Medical Care adjusts its outlook for FY/18 as the business development in Q3/18 was below the company’s expectations. Fresenius Medical Care now expects sales growth of 2% to 3%6 in constant currency (previously: 5% to 7%6). Whilst Fresenius Kabi confirms its guidance of 4% to 7% organic sales growth, it now expects to reach the top end of this range. Fresenius Kabi sees a strong development across all product lines and regions with North America standing out. Fresenius Helios confirms and narrows its FY/18 organic sales growth outlook, and now projects growth at the low end of the original 3% to 6% range. The business development in Germany in Q3/18 was below the company’s expectations mainly due to a decline in admissions and additional catalogue effects. In line with market development in Germany, Fresenius Helios sees a trend towards outpatient treatments leading to fewer admissions in its hospitals.
On a comparable basis8, Fresenius Medical Care now expects FY/18 net income7 to increase by 11% to 12%8 in constant currency (previously: 13% to 15%8). On an adjusted basis9, Fresenius Medical Care now expects FY/18 net income7 to increase by 2% to 3%9 in constant currency (previously: 7% to 9%9). Fresenius Kabi increases its FY/18 EBIT outlook and now expects 1% to 3%10 growth in constant currency (previously: -2% to +1%10). The increase is driven by a strong development across all product lines and regions with North America standing out. FY/18 EBIT excluding expenditures for the further development of the biosimilars business is now expected to grow by ~9% to 11%11 in constant currency (previously: ~6% to 9%11). Fresenius Helios adjusts its FY/18 EBIT outlook and now expects 0% to 2% growth (previously: 5% to 8%), driven by lower sales growth in Germany. Moreover, preparatory structural activities for anticipated regulatory requirements (e.g. clustering), as well as a lack of privatization opportunities in the German market continue to weigh on earnings growth.
Fresenius Vamed confirms its outlook for FY/18 and expects organic sales growth in the range of 5% to 10% and FY/18 EBIT growth of 32% to 37%. The integration of the inpatient post-acute care business acquired from Helios Germany is fully on track.
Q3/2018 preliminary financial results
In Q3/18, Fresenius Group sales increased by ~3%12 (~4%12 in constant currency) to ~€8.2 billion (Q3/2017: €8.297 billion). Group net income3 before special items13 increased by ~8% (~8% in constant currency) to ~€445 million (Q3/2017: €413 million). Fresenius Medical Care has increased the provision for the FCPA (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act) related charge by €75 million (not tax deductible). As in 2017, this charge is treated as a special item. Group net income3 before special items13 and before expenses for the further development of the biosimilars business increased by ~13% (~13% in constant currency) to ~€474 million (Q3/2017: €423 million).
Fresenius will publish its detailed Q3/18 and Q1-Q3/18 financial results on October 30, 2018.
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1Excluding effects related to the Akorn and NxStage transactions, gains from divestitures of Care Coordination activities and FCPA provision
22017 base adjusted for IFRS 15 adoption (deduction of €486 million at Fresenius Medical Care) and divestitures of Care Coordination activities (deduction of €558 million at Fresenius Medical Care)
3Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
42017 base: €1,804 million; 2018 before special items (i.e. expenses related to the Akorn and NxStage transactions, gains from divestitures of Care Coordination activities and FCPA provision; including contributions to the campaigns in the U.S. opposing state ballot initiatives at Fresenius Medical Care and including expenditures for further development of the biosimilars business at Fresenius Kabi (€43 million after tax in FY/17 and ~€120 million after tax in FY/18))
52017 base: €1,847 million; 2018 before special items (i.e. expenses related to the Akorn and NxStage transactions, gains from divestitures of Care Coordination activities and FCPA provision; including contributions to the campaigns in the U.S. opposing state ballot initiatives at Fresenius Medical Care excluding the expenditures for further development of the biosimilars business at Fresenius Kabi (€43 million after tax in FY/17 and ~€120 million after tax in FY/18))
62017 base: €16,739 million (adjusted for IFRS 15 adoption (-€486 million) and divestitures of Care Coordination activities (-€558 million))
7Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA
82017 base: €1,242 million, excluding H2/17 net income of divestitures of Care Coordination activities (-€38 million); 2018 including benefits of the U.S. tax reform but excluding gains from divestitures of Care Coordination activities, contributions to the campaigns in the U.S. opposing state ballot initiatives at Fresenius Medical Care and FCPA provision
92017 base: €1,162 million, excluding divestitures of Care Coordination activities (-€38 million), the effect of the U.S. tax reform, natural disaster costs, FCPA provision and effects of the agreement with the U.S. Departments of Veterans Affairs and Justice (VA agreement)
102017 base: €1,177 million; 2017 & 2018 before special items, including expenditures for the further development of the biosimilars business (€60 million in FY/17 and ~€160 million in FY/18)
112017 base: €1,237 million; 2017 & 2018 before special items, excluding expenditures for the further development of the biosimilars business (€60 million in FY/17 and ~€160 million in FY/18)
12Growth rates adjusted for IFRS 15 adoption and divestitures of Care Coordination activities (Q3/17 base: €7,927 million)
13Before expenses related to the Akorn transaction, gains from divestitures of Care Coordination activities and FCPA provision, but including contributions to the campaigns in the U.S. opposing state ballot initiatives at Fresenius Medical Care
This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Future results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to certain factors, e.g. changes in business, economic and competitive conditions, regulatory reforms, results of clinical trials, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, uncertainties in litigation or investigative proceedings, and the availability of financing. Fresenius does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release.