Philips moves to boost investor value

Article Excerpt

PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V. ADRs $37 remains a buy. The company (New York symbol PHG; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; ADRs outstanding: 891.0 million; Market cap: $33.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.6; Dividend yield: 2.6%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.philips.com) makes industrial health-care products, including X-ray scanners and ultrasound systems, along with consumer goods such as electric shavers, electric toothbrushes and air purifiers. As part of its long-term plan to focus on health-care products, the company is now studying various options for its Domestic Appliances business, which makes kitchen appliances (such as coffee makers) and garment care products (steam irons). A sale or spinoff would let Philips unlock value for investors. In 2019, that unit had total sales of 2.3 billion euros ($2.15 billion U.S.), or 12% of its total sales. sales…