Philips wants out of lighting

Article Excerpt

PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V. ADRs $26 (New York symbol PHG; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; ADRs outstanding: 913.0 million; Market cap: $23.7 billion; Price-tosales ratio: 0.9; Dividend yield: 3.4%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.philips.com) has sold 28.75% of its Philips Lighting subsidiary for 862.5 million euros in an initial public offering (1 euro=$1.45 Canadian). This business mainly makes high-efficiency light-emitting-diode (LED) bulbs and related products. In 2015, it accounted for 31% of Philips’ total sales. The new shares trade on the Euronext Amsterdam exchange under the “LIGHT”symbol. The company plans to sell its remaining 71.25% stake over the next few years. That will let it focus on its health care products, including X-ray scanners and ultrasound systems, and consumer goods such as electric shavers and coffee makers. Philips is still a buy. buy…