Philips Electronics said it was considering its options should the sale of its TV business collapse as it reported plummeting third-quarter profits and little hope of a material improvement in the near term.
Philips - the world's biggest lighting maker, a top three hospital equipment maker, and Europe's biggest consumer electronics producer - said negotiations to sell off most of its TV business to Hong-Kong based TVP were intense and constructive and taking longer than expected.
The deal was due to close before the end of this year.
"For the eventuality that a final agreement cannot be reached, Philips will consider its alternative options," chief executive Frans van Houten said in a statement.
Philips said it would aim to cut 4,500 jobs as part of an €800 million cost-cutting scheme to boost profits and meet its financial targets.
Despite reiterating the firm's 2013 financial targets of 4-6 per cent sales growth, and a margin on earnings before interest, tax, and amortisation (EBITA) of 10-12 per cent, Mr Van Houten said Philips had a long way to go.
"We are not yet satisfied with our current financial performance, given the ongoing economic challenges, especially in Europe, and operational issues and risks. We do not expect to realise a material performance improvement in the near term," he said in a statement.
The firm today reported third-quarter net profit of €76 million, down from €524 million a year ago on sales of €5.394 billion, down from €5.46 billion.
Analysts had expected third-quarter net profit of €53.8 million on sales of €5.341 billion.
In the past seven months, Philips has issued two profit warnings, slashed its long-term growth targets, and been hit by the combination of rising raw material costs, sagging consumer confidence, sluggish construction markets and government budget cuts in the healthcare sector.
The Dutch firm halved its third-quarter earnings before interest, tax and amortisation to €368 million, from €648 million a year ago, due in part to higher restructuring and acquisition-related charges and lower earnings at the firm's entertainment and consumer lighting units.
Philips's share price has plunged almost 40 per cent over the past year as it struggles to compete with lower-cost Asian makers of consumer electronics. Tepid consumer confidence and weak economic growth in Europe and the United States have also hit demand for products ranging from televisions and audiovisual equipment to electric toothbrushes, as well as its street and home lighting systems.
Reuters
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