Annual Results for the
twelve months ended 31 December 2023
Accelerating revenue growth,
strong profit and cash generation
Raising medium term revenue
guidance
Accelerating organic revenue growth of
7.2%1,
broad-based across all four chronic care
categories
·
AWC2: 9.5%1 driven by
strong performance in antimicrobials and growing position in wound
biologics segment3
·
OC2: 4.2%1 driven by 6%
growth in Convatec ostomy products with strength in Global Emerging
Markets
·
CC2: 6.5%1 excellent
customer service and higher reimbursement pricing in the
US
·
IC2: 8.7%1 continued strong
demand for infusion sets with multiple product launches in
2023
Reported revenue was $2,142m
(2022: $2,073m), up 3.4% and 3.2% on a constant
currency4 basis, lower than organic because of the
strategic exit of the non-core hospital care activities and related
industrial sales in 2022
Further operating margin
expansion
·
Strong adjusted gross margin expansion of 150bps
to 61.6% principally driven by improved mix and stronger pricing
coupled with further productivity, partially offset by inflation
and FX
·
Adjusted operating profit margin of 20.2% (20.8%
on a constant currency basis). Expansion of 70 bps (130 bps on a
constant currency basis) with further progress in simplification
and productivity of operating costs
·
Adjusted operating profit up 7.0% to $432m.
Reported operating profit increased to $263m (2022:
$207m)
Delivering EPS and cashflow growth
·
Adjusted diluted EPS increased 6.1% to 13.4
cents. Reported diluted EPS
increased 106% to 6.3 cents
·
Free cash flow to equity5 rose to
$228m (2022: $105m) resulting in equity cash conversion5
of 83%
Strong new product pipeline
- further strengthening competitive position
·
Growing InnovaMatrix® and
ConvaFoamTM in the US - positive clinician
feedback
·
Acquired innovative anti-infective nitric oxide
technology platform
·
Launching new compact hydrophilic catheter,
GentleCathTM Air for Women, in Europe
·
Broadening customers and applications in IC -
partnerships with Beta Bionics (iLet insulin pump in the US),
AbbVie and Mitsubishi Tanabe (Parkinson's), Medtronic (780G in the
US) and Tandem (Mobi in the US)
Confidence in outlook - improving earnings and cash
generation
·
In 2024: we expect 5-7% organic revenue growth,
adjusted operating profit margin of at least 21.0% on a constant
currency basis and double-digit growth in EPS and free cash flow to
equity
·
Medium-term: Based on the strength of the new
product pipeline and improvements in commercial execution we have
raised our organic revenue growth expectation to 5-7% p.a.
(previously 4-6%), we also expect to reach a mid 20's% adjusted
operating profit margin by 2026 or 2027 and to deliver double-digit
compound annual growth in EPS and free cash flow to
equity
Karim Bitar, Chief Executive Officer,
commented:
"Convatec's revenue growth
accelerated and was broad-based across all our categories. We
further expanded our operating margin and
increased earnings per share and free cash flow to
equity.
"We remain focused on executing
our FISBE 2.0 strategy. Given our innovative new product pipeline
and strengthened competitive position, Convatec has pivoted to a
higher level of organic sales growth. We are on track to deliver our
medium-term margin guidance leading to double-digit compound growth
in EPS and free cash flow to equity."
Key financial highlights
|
Reported
|
Adjusted
|
|
FY 2023
|
FY 2022
|
Change
|
FY 2023
|
FY 2022
|
Change
|
CC Change
|
Revenue
|
$2,142m
|
$2,073m
|
3.4%
|
$2,142m
|
$2,073m
|
3.4%
|
3.2%
|
Operating profit
|
$263m
|
$207m
|
26.7%
|
$432m
|
$404m
|
7.0%
|
10.2%
|
Operating profit margin
|
12.3%
|
10.0%
|
2.3%pts
|
20.2%
|
19.5%
|
0.7%pts
|
1.3%pts
|
Diluted EPS
|
6.3
cents
|
3.1
cents
|
105.9%
|
13.4
cents
|
12.6
cents
|
6.1%
|
|
Dividend per share
|
6.229
|
6.047
|
3.0%
|
|
|
|
|
·
Net debt4
increased by $61m to $1,129m. Net debt to EBITDA ratio
was maintained at 2.1x after $179m of M&A
investment and $129m in capex investment to drive future growth,
coupled with $111m dividend payment
·
The Board recommends a final dividend of 4.460
cents resulting in full year dividend of 6.229 cents, an increase
of 3%
Percentage movements throughout this release are calculated
on actual unrounded numbers.
(1) Organic growth presents period over period growth at
constant currency, adjusted for: Triad Life Sciences acquisition
(Mar'22) the exit of hospital care and related industrial sales and
the reconfigured business in Russia (May'22) and the acquisition of
A Better Choice Medical (Jul'23)
(2) AWC is Advanced Wound Care; OC is Ostomy Care; CC is
Continence Care and IC is Infusion Care
(3) Wound Biologics segment, as defined by SmartTRAK.
This segment includes skin substitutes, active collagen dressings
and topical drug delivery. Triad Life Sciences was renamed
Advanced Tissue Technologies (ATT) following its acquisition in
mid-March 2022. ATT began to contribute to the organic growth
rate following the anniversary of the deal
completion.
(4) Constant currency growth is calculated by applying the
applicable prior period average exchange rates to the Group's
actual performance in the respective period.
(5) Certain financial measures in this document, including
adjusted results above, are not prepared in accordance with
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). All adjusted
measures are reconciled to the most directly comparable measure
prepared in accordance with IFRS in the Non-IFRS Financial
Information below (pages 21 to 26). Equity cash
conversion is a new non-IFRS financial measure introduced in the
year and is calculated as Free cash to equity/Adjusted net
profit.
Contacts
Analysts &
Investors
|
Kate Postans, Vice President of
Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Sheebani Chothani, Investor
Relations & Corporate Communications Manager
|
+44 (0) 7826 447807
+44 (0) 7805
011046
ir@convatec.com
|
Media
|
Buchanan: Charles Ryland / Chris
Lane
|
+44 (0)207 466 5000
|
Investor and analyst presentation
The results presentation will be
held in person at The Auditorium, Chartered Accountants' Hall, One
Moorgate Place, London EC2R 6EA at 9.00am (UK time) today. The
event will be simultaneously webcast and the link can be
found here.
The full text of this announcement
and the presentation for the analyst and investors meeting can be
found on the 'Results, Reports & Presentations' page of the
Convatec website www.convatecgroup.com/investors/reports.
Forthcoming events
Trading update for the 4 months
ending 30 April 2024:
|
16 May 2024
|
Interim results:
|
30 July 2024
|
Dividend calendar
Ex Dividend
|
25 April 2024
|
Record Date
|
26 April 2024
|
AGM
|
16 May 2024
|
Payment date
|
23 May 2024
|
About Convatec
Pioneering trusted medical solutions to improve the lives we
touch: Convatec is a global medical
products and technologies company, focused on solutions for the
management of chronic conditions, with leading positions in
advanced wound care, ostomy care, continence care and infusion
care. With around 10,000 colleagues, we provide our products and
services in almost 100 countries, united by a promise to be forever
caring. Our solutions provide a range of benefits, from infection
prevention and protection of at-risk skin, to improved patient
outcomes and reduced care costs. Convatec's revenues in 2023 were
over $2 billion. The company is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index
(LSE:CTEC). To learn more about Convatec, please visit
http://www.convatecgroup.com
Forward Looking
Statements
This document includes certain forward-looking statements
with respect to the operations, performance and financial condition
of the Group. Forward-looking statements are generally
identified by the use of terms such as "believes", "estimates",
"aims", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "plans", "predicts",
"may", "will", "could", "targets", continues", or their negatives
or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements
include all matters that are not historical
facts.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a
number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered
reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant
business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies
that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside the
Group's control. As such, no assurance can be given that such
future results, including guidance provided by the Group, will be
achieved. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
performance and such uncertainties and contingencies, including the
factors set out in the "Principal Risks" section of the Strategic
Report in our Annual Report and Accounts, could cause the actual
results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the
development of the industry in which the Group operates, to differ
materially from the position expressed or implied in the
forward-looking statements set out in this document. Past
performance of the Group cannot be relied on as a guide to future
performance.
Forward-looking statements are based only on knowledge and
information available to the Group at the date of preparation of
this document and speak only as at the date of this document. The
Group and its directors, officers, employees, agents, affiliates
and advisers expressly disclaim any obligations to update any
forward-looking statements (except to the extent required by
applicable law or regulation).
Chief Executive's Review
Convatec continued to successfully
execute its FISBE 2.0 strategy, strengthening its competitive
position and delivering on our forever caring promise for patients
and customers. The various strategic initiatives actioned during
the period enhanced the quality of the business and improved our
financial performance and prospects.
Attractive growth prospects
Convatec operates in four
categories of the structurally-growing, attractive chronic care
markets. These have a combined market size of $14 billion p.a. and
market growth rates of between 4-8% p.a. We are among the leaders
in the categories in which we operate and expect to grow revenue in
line with or faster than each market.
We serve a diverse set of chronic
care markets, producing high-volume, high-quality consumables which
our customers rely on, resulting in attractive recurring revenue.
This diversity provides resilience and synergies, notably in areas
such as biomaterial sciences, product and clinical development,
automated manufacturing and shared supply chain capabilities.
Consistent with our FISBE 2.0 strategy we have been investing in
our innovation pipeline, building mission-critical capabilities,
expanding capacity and increasing our resilience.
A
chronic care focused business delivering sustainable and profitable
growth
We continued to execute our FISBE
strategy, strengthening our competitive position and our ability to
consistently deliver sustainable and profitable growth. After
a period of catch-up investment, equity cash conversion5
has now normalised and this strong cash generation will support
continued organic and inorganic investment for growth, consistent
with our capital allocation priorities.
Over the course of 2023, we
remained focused on delivering for our customers. Our continued
focus on innovation resulted in six new products launching and the
R&D function was strengthened by an increased emphasis on
clinical and regulatory. We enhanced both our innovation pipeline
and service proposition using cash generated to acquire three
businesses.
We further simplified our
organisation, closed a small factory in the Netherlands and opened
a new Global Business Services centre in Kuala Lumpur, which in
combination with Lisbon and Bogota, will provide 24x7 support. Our
Centres of Excellence continued to positively impact the business,
with better pricing and greater salesforce productivity as the
Customer Relationship Management platform roll-out was completed
for our top 12 markets.
Further details on the progress
made under each pillar can be found on pages 6 and 7.
We achieved a strong financial performance
Group reported revenue of $2,142m
rose 3.4% (2022: $2,073m), and 3.2% on a
constant currency basis, lower than organic growth because of the
strategic exit of the non-core hospital care activities and related
industrial sales in 2022. Organic revenue growth was 7.2%, in line
with our latest guidance.
Adjusted operating profit rose
7.0% (10.2% on a constant currency basis). Adjusted operating
profit margin was 20.2% (2022: 19.5%) with mix/price, operations
productivity and G&A spend reduction more than offsetting
significant inflation, continued investment in R&D and
commercial capabilities, as well as a 60 bps foreign exchange
headwind. Over a two-year period Convatec has delivered 250bps of
improvement in its adjusted operating profit margin.
In 2022, the Group incurred costs
relating to the exit of the hospital care business. As a
result, and also benefitting from a higher gross margin, the
reported operating profit increased 26.7% over the previous
year.
Adjusted diluted EPS increased by
6.1% primarily due to improvements in adjusted operating profit and
a reduction in non-operating expenses more than offsetting an
increase in finance costs from higher market interest
rates.
Reported diluted EPS increased by
105.9% as the prior year was impacted by higher adjusting items
mostly relating to the exit of hospital care and the Triad
acquisition.
Capital expenditure during 2023
was $129m (2022: $144m) as we continued to invest for future
growth, expanding our manufacturing lines and developing new
digital technologies to deliver enhanced customer experiences
.
Free cash flow to equity increased
to $228m (2022: $105m). Equity cash conversion (free cash
flow to equity as a proportion of adjusted net profit) was 83%
(2022: 41.0%) primarily driven by a significantly lower working
capital outflow, the increase in EBITDA and lower capital
expenditure.
Net debt increased by $61m to
$1,129m, following three acquisitions and the payment of the first
year earnout for Triad Life Sciences acquisition, together totaling
$179m. Our net debt to EBITDA ratio remained unchanged at 2.1x. We
continue to target leverage of 2x over time but are comfortable
temporarily going higher for appropriate M&A
opportunities.
Revenue
Revenue increased by 3.4% on a
reported basis, and by 3.2% on a constant currency basis. Adjusting
for M&A and business restructuring1 Group revenue
rose 7.2% on an organic basis. This growth was broad-based
with strong growth in Advanced Wound Care,
Infusion Care and Continence Care and good growth in Ostomy
Care.
|
2023
$m
|
2022
$m
|
Reported growth /
(decline)
|
Foreign Exchange
impact
|
Constant
Currency2 growth / (decline)
|
Organic4
growth
|
Revenue by Category
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advanced Wound Care
|
695.3
|
620.7
|
12.0%
|
0.4%
|
11.6%
|
9.5%
|
Ostomy Care
|
608.3
|
583.0
|
4.3%
|
0.1%
|
4.2%
|
4.2%
|
Continence Care
|
457.2
|
425.4
|
7.5%
|
0.1%
|
7.4%
|
6.5%
|
Infusion Care
|
370.9
|
341.1
|
8.7%
|
0.0%
|
8.7%
|
8.7%
|
Revenue excluding hospital care
exit
|
2,131.7
|
1,970.2
|
8.2%
|
0.2%
|
8.0%
|
7.2%
|
Exit of hospital care and related
industrial sales5
|
10.7
|
102.3
|
(89.5)%
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Total
|
2,142.4
|
2,072.5
|
3.4%
|
0.2%
|
3.2%
|
7.2%
|
(5) Relates to residual stock being sold during
2023
Advanced Wound
Care
Revenue of $695 million increased
12.0% on a reported basis or 11.6% on a constant currency
basis. On an organic basis revenue rose by 9.5%. This
performance was enhanced by InnovaMatrix®, which
contributed to organic growth from April.
The business achieved strong sales
growth in North America supported by the growing position in the
wound biologics segment3, broad-based double-digit
growth in GEM despite some market softness in China in H2 and good
growth in Europe. Continued leadership in the antimicrobial segment
enhanced the overall performance of the division.
We continued to make strategic
progress in AWC during 2023, strengthening our position in the US
with the launch of ConvaFoamTM. Reaction from healthcare
professionals has been encouraging with a number of ongoing
evaluations as well as conversions from competitor product to
ConvaFoam. InnovaMatrix® continued to achieve strong
momentum in the large and rapidly growing wound biologics
segment3. Feedback from clinicians has been
positive.
In 2024 we will focus
on:
·
Rolling-out recent launches to new
markets:
o Launching ConvaFoamTM in Europe
o Launching new iterations of InnovaMatrix® in the
US
·
Continuing to develop the future 2025+ AWC
pipeline with:
o a
new nitric oxide dressing, a new enhanced hydrofibre dressing and
ConvaVacTM
·
Improving commercial performance:
o Further leverage Salesforce Effectiveness Centre of
Excellence (CoE) in our focus markets
o Further expand ATT salesforce and build synergies with
existing AWC sales team
Ostomy
Care
Revenue of $608 million was up
4.3% on a reported basis and increased 4.2% on constant currency
and organic bases. The Ostomy Care category comprises
Convatec ostomy products, our Flexi-SealTM sales (fecal management system product) and
non-Convatec ostomy products.
We are making positive progress
with the turnaround in Ostomy Care, particularly with Convatec
ostomy products, where revenue grew 6.3%. The business achieved double-digit growth in the
Global Emerging Markets as it continued to win share. In North
America 180 Medical grew ostomy sales well from a small base and
New Patient Starts remained stable. There was a good performance in
Europe although, as expected, further planned declines in
non-Convatec product sales via AmcareTM UK partially
offset this positive performance.
The launch of the ESENTATM brand of
accessories continued to progress well. As
anticipated, Flexi-SealTM finished close to flat
for the full year, having declined in the first half when it was
lapping tough comparatives.
Strategic progress continued in
the ostomy business, as the team prepared for the launch of
our new one-piece convex pouching system, Esteem
BodyTM with Leak DefenseTM in the US and
Europe. Leak DefenseTM refers to the exclusive
combination of Convatec's gold-standard adhesives
(Durahesive® and Modified Stomahesive®)
coupled with the comprehensive, soft convexity range, which
together are designed to adapt to the body for a secure seal that
can help prevent leaks and achieve
the desired wear time.
In 2024 we will focus
on:
·
Continuing to progress our innovation
pipeline:
o Launching our new Esteem
BodyTM in the
US and certain European markets
o Developing a new Flexi-SealTM Air
product
o Developing a 2-piece Body portfolio for the future
·
Further improving commercial execution across the
continuum of care:
o Bringing all the products we sell in the fast-growth
accessories market under the ESENTATM brand
o Improving new patient starts in the US, with continued
collaboration with Home Service Group ('HSG')
o Enhancing engagement with patients, through Me+, and the
interactions with healthcare professionals
Continence
Care
Revenue of $457 million rose 7.5%
on a reported basis and 7.4% on a constant currency, with modest
incremental contribution from the two acquisitions. On an organic
basis revenue rose 6.5%.
A strong operating performance was
supported by higher reimbursement pricing in the US during the year
and increasing patient adoption of Convatec products (Cure Medical
and GentleCathTM). The quality and breadth of the
Convatec product portfolio have resulted in it growing as a
proportion of overall sales, which is beneficial to the gross
margin. In the US
home service market (direct to consumer) we continued to gain share
by providing world-class customer service.
We further strengthened the Home
Service Group by acquiring A Better Choice Medical Supply LLC
(Michigan) and All American Medical Supply Corp (New York), two
North American continence care service businesses.
We made further progress building
international sales and management teams, which has resulted in
incremental sales in GEM and Europe which, although modest, were
supportive to overall growth. We launched our new and improved
GentleCathTM Air for Women 2.0 in Q4 2023 in France
which has been well received by healthcare professionals and
customers.
In 2024 we will focus
on:
·
Rolling-out launches to new markets:
o Launching GC Air for Women in additional European markets and
the US
o Introducing Cure products into European and GEM
markets
·
Further improving commercial execution
globally:
o Integrating recent HSG acquisitions in the US
o Continuing to build out and strengthen commercial teams in
Europe
o Leveraging improved customer service performance at Amcare
UK
Infusion
Care
Revenue of $371 million increased
8.7% on reported, constant currency and organic bases. This growth was primarily driven by sustained strong
demand for our innovative infusion sets for people with
diabetes. We supported our customers with multiple product
launches during 2023: Medtronic's 780G
insulin pump approval in the US, Beta Bionics iLet bionic pancreas
system launch in the US and soft launch of Tandem's Mobi
pump.
Our neriaTM brand
infusion sets, for non-insulin therapies, achieved strong
double-digit growth, and included the launch of AbbVie's new
Parkinson's drug therapy in Japan.
In 2024 we will focus
on:
·
Delivering for our diabetes customers given the
continued strong demand for our infusion sets:
o Scaling up MioAdvance Extended Wear Infusion Set following US
launch of Medtronic's 780G
o Supporting Tandem with the full launch of Mobi in the
US
o Supporting Beta Bionics following its iLet launch in the
US
o Supporting Ypsomed as they grow their durable pumps
business
·
Continuing to diversify patient base
o Providing Neria sets for AbbVie Parkinson's launch in Europe
and preparing for US launch, expected in 2024
o Increasing penetration with European distributors of infusion
sets for European palliative care and pain management
·
Enhancing operations:
o Increasing production capacity for future demand
o Optimising existing production lines and further improving
quality
Historical revenue data*
* Provided to reflect revised category definitions announced
in March'23 , following the exit of hospital
care.
Reported Revenue $m
|
2019
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023
|
Advanced Wound Care
|
570
|
547
|
592
|
621
|
695
|
Ostomy Care
|
569
|
590
|
615
|
583
|
608
|
Continence Care
|
342
|
363
|
405
|
426
|
457
|
Infusion Care
|
238
|
283
|
316
|
341
|
371
|
Group
|
1,719
|
1,783
|
1,928
|
1,971
|
2,131
|
Revenue from hospital care and
industrial sales
|
108
|
112
|
110
|
102
|
11
|
Total Reported Group
|
1,827
|
1,895
|
2,038
|
2,073
|
2,142
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Organic4 growth/(decline) %
|
2019
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023
|
Advanced Wound Care
|
0.5%
|
(2.7)%
|
9.2%
|
6.8%
|
9.5%
|
Ostomy Care
|
1.0%
|
4.5%
|
2.0%
|
1.7%
|
4.2%
|
Continence Care
|
5.4%
|
5.4%
|
3.4%
|
5.1%
|
6.5%
|
Infusion Care
|
2.2%
|
18.5%
|
11.5%
|
9.2%
|
8.7%
|
Group
|
2.3%
|
4.2%
|
5.3%
|
5.6%
|
7.2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Executing on our FISBE strategy
The execution of our FISBE (Focus,
Innovate, Simplify, Build, Execute) strategy is progressing
well.
Focus
We continued to focus on our top 12 markets, achieving
organic revenue growth of 8.4% compared with 7.2% globally. The US
was our largest market and grew strongly, supported by the
contribution from InnovaMatrix®. China, whilst
still a small part of the overall group, remained a key strategic
market where we continued to strengthen our position, growing
double-digit and winning market share in both Ostomy Care and
Advanced Wound Care.
Having laid the foundations for customer net promoter
score (NPS) insight gathering, through a series of pilots in
2023, during 2024 we will focus on
embedding actionable NPS insight more broadly across the
business.
Innovate
We continued to invest to
strengthen our Technology & Innovation capabilities and advance
our pipeline; we increased
adjusted R&D expenditure by 12.9% to $104 million (2022:
$92 million), equivalent to 4.8% of sales.
We started launching ConvaFoamTM in the
US, which is strengthening our competitive position in the
very large and growing foam segment. Feedback from evaluations has
been encouraging, with healthcare professionals particularly
positive about its exudate and adhesion properties.
In April, we acquired a highly innovative anti-infective
nitric oxide technology platform with a unique natural
antimicrobial mode of action, backed by compelling scientific and
clinical data. We will be looking to secure the first regulatory
approvals for the first wound care product in 2025.
We began launching our new compact
catheter, GentleCathTM
Air for Women with FeelCleanTM Technology in
France in Q4. This technology is designed for urethral protection
and to reduce the risk of UTIs.
In Infusion Care we continued to collaborate with a number of
partners within and outside diabetes and launched a number
of products during the period:
- Infusion set with Beta Bionics new iLet bionic pancreas
system
- Extended Wear Infusion Set in US with Medtronic
780G
- Infusion set for new Tandem Mobi pump, cleared by the FDA in
July
- Infusion set for AbbVie Parkinson's therapy launch in
Japan
Looking into 2024
we expect continued momentum with product
launches. In Q1 we have begun to launch our new one-piece convex
pouching system, Esteem BodyTM with Leak
DefenseTM in Europe and the US. It is very early days
but we are encouraged by the reaction from healthcare professionals
so far.
We will also be leveraging our
recent product launches by rolling them out in key
geographies:
- InnovaMatrix®
in certain GEM markets and, in the US, with new
iterations;
- Begin the roll-out of ConvaFoamTM in
Europe;
- GentleCath AirTM for Women in Europe and the
US;
supporting AbbVie's Parkinson's
drug launch in Europe and, later in the year, in the US.For 2025
and beyond we are also developing a richer pipeline with exciting
new innovations, including:
- AWC: an enhanced hydrofibre, Nitric oxide wound dressing and
ConvaVac (a single use negative pressure treatment);
- OC: Natura BodyTM;
- CC: GentleCathTM Air for Men v2.0; and
- IC: Further customer pump technology innovations including a
potential new Parkinson's therapy
Simplify
We continued to make progress
simplifying the organisation.
Adjusted G&A reduced to 8.1% of sales
(2022: 8.9%), declining 6.4% to $173 million
(2022: $185 million) as we continued to
transition activities to our Global Business Services centres;
allowing us to improve, standardise and automate processes,
build internal expertise and consolidate our corporate office
facilities footprint.
We opened a new GBS facility in
Kuala Lumpur to provide 24-7 business service support to the Group
in conjunction with Lisbon and Bogota, started the migration of HR
services and created a new IT Centre of Excellence.
As part of our Plant Network Optimisation initiative,
we closed a small factory in Roosendaal, the Netherlands, and
migrated machines to our larger and more efficient site in
Michalovce, Slovakia, which already manufactures similar Ostomy
products.
In 2024,
we intend to continue to embed our Global Business Services
network, driving further efficiencies in finance, IT and HR.
Our Global Quality and Operations function will continue to
introduce smart factory tools and automation to the manufacturing
footprint to drive enhanced productivity.
Build
Our Pricing Centre of Excellence
(CoE), in collaboration with our business units, supported the
delivery of 100 bps of pricing
improvement on gross margin.
During the year we further
developed our clinical and
regulatory functions with a step up in clinical evidence
generation and in scientific publications, and another year with
more than 80 patent filings.
In 2024,
we will continue to embed our CoEs within the business and drive
commercial excellence. For example our Marketing CoE will
drive our NPS customer loyalty measurement programme.
Execution
Our Salesforce CoE has continued to roll
out the single CRM platform to all of our Top 12 markets.
This is driving enhanced salesforce productivity by increasing call
rates and improving targeting to priority (A,B,X)
accounts.
Through improved commercial
execution we are winning share in
the Global Emerging Markets in both AWC and OC. Our sales in
GEM continued to grow double digit, with revenue in China growing
30% notwithstanding the broader industry slow-down since the
summer.
We have continued to focus on
execution excellence within our
Global Quality and Operations function, expanding capacity
in IC, increasing automation on certain AWC product lines and
further reducing complaints per million by c.12% during
2023.
We also made further progress embedding our Convatec Cares
responsible business strategy, which underpins our
commitment to embedding environmental, social and governance (ESG)
practices.
In line with our goal to achieve
net zero by 2045, we reduced Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas
emissions by 35% in 2023. We are pleased that our manufacturing
sites now use 100% renewable electricity. In addition, our Scope 1,
2 and 3 (near term) targets were validated by Science-Based Targets
Initiative (SBTi). We also received a 'B' from the Carbon
Disclosure Project (CDP) in their 2023 ratings, recognising our
progress.
Consistent with our commitment to
diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) and wellbeing, we
finished 2023 with 44% of the senior management team[1] being women, exceeding our 40% target.
Dividend
The Board recommends a 3% increase
in the full year dividend to 6.229 cents per share (2022: 6.047
cents). The payout ratio of 46% (2022: 48%) of adjusted EPS
remains modestly ahead of the target range of 35-45%. The
Board remains confident of the Group's future prospects and this
progressive dividend recommendation is consistent with the approach
over the last 3 years.
Taking into consideration the
recent trends in take up and the cost of operating, the Board has
taken the decision to terminate the scrip dividend
option.
2024 guidance and upgraded medium term
outlook
In 2024, we expect organic revenue
growth of 5-7%. We are also raising our medium-term organic revenue
growth to 5-7% p.a. (previously 4-6% p.a.), given growing
confidence in both the new product pipeline and improved commercial
execution. This reflects our expectations of high
single-digit growth in AWC and IC and mid single-digit growth in OC
and CC.
We remain focused on expanding our
operating margin by growing revenue, improving our mix/price and
delivering on our simplification and productivity agenda. In 2024
we expect further improvement in the adjusted operating margin to
at least 21%, on a constant currency, based on the current
geo-political backdrop and an inflation expectation of
3-5%.
We expect adjusted net finance
expense for 2024 to be $75-85 million. The adjusted book tax rate
is expected to be approximately 24% with the cash tax rate at
approximately 18%. We expect capex of $120-140million reflecting
the continued investments we are making across the
Group.
In the medium term, we are on
track to deliver a mid-20s% adjusted operating margin in 2026 or
2027. This requires on average 100bps or more of expansion
per annum, compared to the delivery of 125bps expansion per year
over the last 2 years in a high inflation
environment.
We have now pivoted to sustainable
revenue growth, have started to deliver margin expansion and expect
to achieve double digit compound growth in EPS and free cash flow
to equity over the medium term.
Principal risks
The Board reviews and agrees our
principal risks on a bi‐annual basis, taking account of our risk
appetite together with our evolving strategy, current business
environment and any emerging risks that could impact the business.
Our system of risk management and internal control continues to
develop, and updates to the principal risks and mitigation plans
are made as required in response to changes in our risk landscape.
Details of our enterprise risk management framework will be set out
in the Group's 2023 Annual Report and Accounts to be published
later in the month.
The Board has reviewed the
principal risks as at 31 December 2023 and made a number of changes
to reflect our assessment of their movement from those identified
in 2022, the effect on the Group, our evolving strategy and the
current business environment. The principal risks have been
assessed against the context of the global inflationary cost
pressures that are impacting all businesses at present and the
wider uncertain geopolitical climate. The overall profile for the
risks set out below remains largely unchanged over the financial
year in terms of their potential impact on our ability to
successfully deliver on our strategy:
· Operational Resilience and Quality;
· Information Systems, Security and Privacy;
· Innovation and Regulatory;
· People;
· Legal and Compliance;
· Environment and Communities; and,
· Tax
and Treasury.
The risk landscape has changed for
the following principal risks, since the publication of the 2022
Annual Report and Accounts:
· Strategy and Execution Delivery - strategically we are
pivoting into FISBE 2.0 and, with work carried out to date, this
principal risk is now considered normal business
activity.
· Customer and Markets - has been elevated as the consequences
of global macroeconomic factors may manifest themselves through
financial constraints impacting healthcare pricing and
reimbursement models.
· Political and Economic Environment - has been elevated
reflecting the continuing global inflationary pressure challenges
on all aspects of our cost base, as well as ongoing global supply
chain constraints and volatile geopolitical environment.
The Board assesses the overall
risk profile of the Group to ensure it is within our risk appetite.
In making this assessment the Board considered the broader risk
landscape (including the sustained levels of inflation and interest
rates, ongoing supply chain challenges and the continuing impacts
of the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East) on the business
environment and any continued or additional impact on the Group's
business and principal risks, coupled with the controls and
mitigations in place to address these challenges. In the main, as
our processes and risk mitigations further develop and mature, we
have continued to manage the challenges facing the wider business
landscape and build further resilience into our operations.
Principal risks continue to be appropriately mitigated and we work
to ensure that each risk remains within our risk
appetite.
Financial review
Revenue grew by 3.4% on a reported
basis, 3.2% on a constant currency basis and 7.2% on an organic
basis. Constant currency growth was lower than organic growth due
to the exit from the low-margin, low-growth hospital care
activities during 2022.
The adjusted operating profit
margin was 20.2%, representing an increase of 70bps over the
previous year. Adjusting for foreign exchange headwinds, the
expansion was 130bps, with pricing and mix benefits more than
offsetting inflation and continued investment in commercial and
R&D capabilities. Adjusted operating profit margin has
increased by 250bps over the past two years.
Adjusted diluted earnings per
share increased by 6.1% year-on-year to 13.4 cents per share,
primarily due to improvements in adjusted operating profit and a
reduction in adjusted non-operating expenses more than offsetting
an increase in finance expenses. Reported diluted EPS more than
doubled to 6.3 cents per share (2022: 3.1 cents per
share).
Net cash generated from operations
improved by 27.6% to $490.6 million ($384.5 million), with free
cash flow to equity increasing by 116.8% to $228.3 million (2022:
$105.3 million), driven by higher EBITDA and significantly better
changes in working capital compared to the previous year. Equity
cash conversion improved to 83.3% (2022: 41.0%).
We further enhanced the
competitive position of the Group during the year, with the
acquisition of an innovative anti-infective nitric oxide technology
platform to strengthen our Advanced Wound Care portfolio, and two
bolt-on acquisitions to strengthen our Home Services Group in the
US.
In November 2023, the Group
extended the term of its multicurrency revolving credit facility by
one year and this is now committed to November 2028. The Group's
term loan and $500.0 million senior unsecured notes remain in place
and are committed until 2027 and 2029 respectively.
We remain confident of delivering
sustainable future revenue growth and an adjusted operating margin
in the mid-20s by 2026 or 2027, with double-digit compound annual
growth in adjusted diluted EPS and free cash flow to
equity.
Reported and Adjusted results
The Group's financial performance,
measured in accordance with IFRS, is set out in the Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto on
pages 27 to 48 and referred to in this Annual Report as
"reported" measures.
The commentary in this Financial
review includes discussion of the Group's reported results and
alternative performance measures (or adjusted measures) (APMs).
Management and the Board use APMs as meaningful measures in
monitoring the underlying performance of the business. These
measures are disclosed in accordance with the ESMA guidelines and
are explained and reconciled to the most directly comparable
reported measures prepared in accordance with IFRS on
pages 21 to 26.
Revenue and the revenue growth on
constant currency and organic bases are non-IFRS
financial measures and should not be viewed as replacements of IFRS
reported revenue. Percentage movements throughout this report are
calculated on actual unrounded numbers.
Group financial performance
|
Reported
|
Reported
|
Adjusted1
|
Adjusted1
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
Revenue
|
2,142.4
|
2,072.5
|
2,142.4
|
2,072.5
|
Gross profit
|
1,200.6
|
1,103.9
|
1,320.7
|
1,245.6
|
Operating profit
|
262.7
|
207.3
|
431.8
|
403.7
|
Profit before income taxes
|
167.4
|
81.9
|
357.2
|
337.6
|
Net
profit
|
130.3
|
62.9
|
274.1
|
256.8
|
Basic earnings per share (cents
per share)
|
6.4¢
|
3.1¢
|
13.4¢
|
12.7¢
|
Diluted earnings per share (cents
per share)
|
6.3¢
|
3.1¢
|
13.4¢
|
12.6¢
|
Dividend per share (cents)
|
6.229¢
|
6.047¢
|
|
|
1 These non-IFRS financial measures are explained and
reconciled to the most directly comparable financial measures
prepared in accordance with IFRS on pages 21 to
26.
Revenue
Group reported revenue for the
year ended 31 December 2023 of $2,142.4 million (2022: $2,072.5
million) increased 3.4% year-on-year on a reported basis and 3.2%
on a constant currency basis.
Adjusting for foreign exchange and
acquisition and divestiture-related activities2, Group
revenue grew by 7.2% on an organic basis. This was driven by strong
growth in Advanced Wound Care, Infusion Care and Continence Care
and good growth in Ostomy Care. For more details about category
revenue performance, refer to pages 4 to 5.
2 Acquisitions were Starlight Science, A Better Choice Medical
Supply and All American Medical Supply in 2023 and Triad Life
Sciences in 2022. Divestitures related to the 2022 discontinuation
of hospital care, related industrial sales and associated Russia
operations (with the final discontinuances in early 2023).
Reported net profit
Reported gross margin increased
from 53.3% to 56.0%. This was largely driven by pricing and mix
benefits being partly offset by inflationary pressures and foreign
exchange headwinds. Prior year comparatives also included higher
one-time divestiture and termination costs primarily as a result of
the hospital care and related industrial sales exit in
2022.
Reported operating profit
increased by 26.7% to $262.7million, driven by improvements in the
reported gross margin being partially offset by an increase in
reported operating expenses of $41.3 million to $937.9 million.
Increases in selling and distribution expenses of $36.6 million to
$612.5 million and R&D of $18.0 million to $110.0 million were
partly offset by a reduction in other operating expenses of $11.3
million (down from $13.8 million in 2022).
Reported net finance costs
increased by $23.4 million to $75.5 million, primarily due to an
additional $28.8 million of interest expense on borrowings due to
higher market interest rates.
During the year, the fair value
movement of the contingent consideration arising on acquisitions
was $24.6 million (2022: $45.1 million).
Reported non-operating
income/(expense), net decreased by $33.0 million to $4.8 million
income (2022: $28.2 million expense) and principally consisted of
foreign exchange gains of $0.2 million (2022: $14.2 million loss)
and a gain of $3.9 million on divestiture-related activities
relating to the sale of the Unometer™ trademarks during the year.
The prior year also included the recycling of $12.2 million of
cumulative translation losses following the closure activities
associated with the hospital care exit and a $2.0 million loss on
divestitures.
The reported income tax expense
for the year ended 31 December 2023 was $37.1 million (2022: $19.0
million) and this is explained further in the Taxation section
below. The reported net profit was $130.3 million (2022: $62.9
million).
The basic reported earnings per
share rose 105.6% to 6.4 cents (2022: 3.1 cents), reflecting the
reported net profit divided by the basic weighted average number of
ordinary shares of 2,038,653,228 (2022: 2,023,839,657).
Adjusted net profit
Adjusted gross profit increased by
6.0% to $1,320.7 million (2022: $1,245.6 million). The adjusted
gross margin increased year-on-year from 60.1% to 61.6% due to a
combination of price, mix and productivity benefits of 460bps being
partially offset by inflation and foreign exchange headwinds of
250bps and 60bps respectively. The Group benefited from the impact
of reduced volumes of low-margin and low-growth products following
the hospital care exit in 2022 and the growing contribution from
Advanced Tissue Technology (ATT).
Adjusted operating expenses saw a
net increase of $47.0 million to $888.9 million, with increases in
adjusted selling and distribution expenses and adjusted R&D
partly offset by a reduction in adjusted general and administrative
expenses.
Increases in adjusted selling and
distribution expenses of $47.0 million to $611.9 million, primarily
driven by higher headcount associated with growing the business,
expansion in the acquired ATT business and higher labour inflation,
were only partially offset by the exit of hospital care.
Increases in adjusted R&D of
$11.9 million to $103.9 million reflected the continued investment
in our future pipeline of new products and new R&D talent
joining the business through the recent acquisitions over the past
few years.
Adjusted G&A decreased by
$11.9 million year-on-year to $173.1 million, reflecting the
Group's focus on simplification and productivity, notably as we
continued to build internal expertise and reduce external third
party spend whilst also seeing the benefits of transitioning more
activities to our Global Business Services (GBS) centre in Lisbon.
Adjusted G&A as a percentage of revenue fell to 8.1% (2022:
8.9%)
A reconciliation between reported
and adjusted operating expenses is provided in the Non-IFRS
financial information section on pages 21 to 26. The Group achieved
an adjusted operating profit of $431.8 million (2022: $403.7
million), delivering an adjusted operating margin of 20.2% (2022:
19.5%) despite ongoing inflationary headwinds and continued
investments for growth.
Adjusted net profit increased 6.7%
to $274.1 million (2022: $256.8 million). The increases in adjusted
operating expenses (as explained above), finance expenses (driven
by higher market interest rates) and adjusted income tax expense
(which is explained below) were more than offset by strong adjusted
gross margin improvement and a reduction in adjusted non-operating
expenses of $14.9 million (driven by favourable foreign exchange
impacts on intercompany transactions).
Adjusted basic and diluted EPS at
31 December 2023 were 13.4 cents and 13.4 cents respectively (2022:
12.7 cents and 12.6 cents).
Taxation
|
Year ended 31
December
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
|
$m
|
Effective tax
rate
|
$m
|
Effective tax rate
|
Reported income tax expense
|
(37.1)
|
22.2%
|
(19.0)
|
23.2%
|
Tax effect of adjustments
|
(38.5)
|
|
(41.7)
|
|
Other discrete tax items
|
(7.5)
|
|
(20.1)
|
|
Adjusted income tax expense
|
(83.1)
|
23.3%
|
(80.8)
|
23.9%
|
The Group's reported income tax
expense was $37.1 million (2022: $19.0 million). The decrease in
the reported effective tax rate was mainly driven by a one-off net
tax benefit following the successful resolution of an uncertain tax
position, which for the purpose of calculating the adjusted income
tax expense, was treated as an adjusting item.
The adjusted effective tax rate of
23.3% for the year ended 31 December 2023
(2022: 23.9%) was after reflecting the tax
impact of items treated as adjusting items (further details can be
found in the Reconciliation of reported earnings to adjusted
earnings table in the Non-IFRS financial information section on
page 23). The decrease in the adjusted effective tax rate was
principally driven by the impact of profit mix between
jurisdictions in which the Group had a taxable presence.
Adjusting items
Management and the Board will make
adjustments to the reported figures, where appropriate, to produce
more meaningful measures in monitoring the underlying performance
of the business - Alternative performance measures (APMs). The
Group's APM policy can be found in the Non-IFRS financial
information section on page 21 and in line with this, the following
adjustments were made to derive adjusted operating profit and
adjusted net profit.
|
Operating
profit
$m
|
Fair value movement of
contingent consideration
$m
|
Non-operating
income/(expense)
$m
|
Income tax
$m
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
Reported
|
262.7
|
207.3
|
(24.6)
|
(45.1)
|
4.8
|
(28.2)
|
(37.1)
|
(19.0)
|
Amortisation of acquired
intangibles
|
136.2
|
131.3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(32.6)
|
(29.2)
|
Acquisitions and
divestitures
|
10.1
|
56.6
|
24.6
|
45.1
|
(3.9)
|
14.2
|
(0.7)
|
(11.3)
|
Termination benefits and related
costs
|
9.5
|
7.1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(2.0)
|
(1.2)
|
Impairment of assets
|
-
|
1.4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Other adjusting items
|
13.3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(3.2)
|
-
|
Other discrete tax items
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(7.5)
|
(20.1)
|
Adjusted
|
431.8
|
403.7
|
-
|
-
|
0.9
|
(14.0)
|
(83.1)
|
(80.8)
|
Adjustments made to derive
adjusted operating profit in 2023 included the amortisation of
acquired intangibles of $136.2 million (2022: $131.3 million), of
which $93.2 million (2022: $93.0 million) resulted from intangible
assets arising from the spin-out from Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2008
and will be fully amortised by December 2026.
Acquisition and
divestiture-related costs of $10.1 million (2022: $56.6 million)
consisted of acquisition-related costs of $8.3 million (2022: $16.9
million) and divestiture-related costs of $1.8 million (2022: $39.7
million). Acquisition-related costs, which primarily consisted of
deal-related fees, also included the inventory fair value release
of $1.5 million (2022: $8.7 million) in respect of the Triad
acquisition in 2022. Divestiture-related costs of $1.8 million were
incurred as a result of the exit from the hospital care and related
industrial sales activities.
Termination costs of $9.5 million
were in respect of one-off, fundamental transformation projects and
primarily due to the migration of HR services to our Global
Business Services, the closure of the EuroTec factory in the
Netherlands and a restructuring of activities in Switzerland. The
latter two projects, in addition to the office footprint
optimisation programme previously announced, contributed to other
adjusting items of $13.3 million. These costs largely consisted of
legal and professional fees, the impairment of right-of-use assets
and property, plant and equipment and charges related to certain
office closures.
During the year, the fair value
movement of the contingent consideration arising on acquisitions
was S24.6 million (2022: $45.1 million).
Net adjustments of $3.9 million
made to non-operating income in 2023 wholly related to a gain made
from the sale of the UnoMeter™ trademarks, previously part of
hospital care. This is disclosed within Note 5 - Non-operating
income/(expense), net to the Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements.
Of the total $169.1 million of
adjusting items recognised within operating profit in the
Consolidated Income Statement in the year (excluding tax impact),
$16.1 million was cash-impacting in 2023 (2022: $11.1million).
There was also a cash outflow of $7.5 million during the year in
respect of adjusting items recorded as accruals in the prior year.
In 2024, the total cash impact of adjusting items recognised within
operating profit (including amounts accrued in previous years), is
currently expected to be of a similar quantum to the 2023 total.
For further information on Non-IFRS financial information, see
pages 21 to 26.
In the year to 31 December 2023,
other discrete tax items related to the tax benefit of $15.1
million resulting from a provision release following the successful
resolution of an uncertain tax position, partially offset by tax
expenses of $7.6 million in respect of a restructuring of
activities Switzerland. In the year to 31 December 2022, other
discrete tax items related to the tax benefit of $20.1 million
resulting from the recognition of deferred tax assets following the
acquisition of Triad Life Sciences. For further details on deferred
taxation see Note 6 - Income taxes to the Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements.
The Board, through the Audit and
Risk Committee, continuously reviews the Group's APM policy to
ensure that it remains appropriate, aligns with regulatory guidance
and represents the way in which the performance of the Group is
managed.
Acquisitions
During the year, the Group
completed three acquisitions. The acquisition of Starlight Science
Limited in April 2023 included the highly innovative anti-infective
nitric oxide technology platform, which complements the Group's
Advanced Wound Care portfolio and has potential applications across
the Group's other categories. In addition to the initial
consideration of $56.7 million (£45.3 million), the sellers may
earn contingent consideration up to a maximum of $163.9 million
(£131.0 million), in the form of (i) a milestone payment of $58.8
million (£47.0 million) due upon regulatory clearances in the US
and Europe; and (ii) earnout payments based on sales of products
over the lifetime of the acquired patents, with the maximum earnout
payable capped at $105.1 million (£84.0 million). The provisional
discounted fair value of the contingent consideration recognised at
the date of acquisition was $66.7 million.
We also completed two small
bolt-on acquisitions in 2023 (A Better Choice Medical Supply LLC
and All American Medical Supply Corp) for a combined net cash
outflow of $27.7 million to further strengthen our US Home Services
Group. There was no contingent consideration associated with these
two acquisitions.
During the year, $94.7 million was
paid in respect of contingent consideration associated with the
Triad Life Sciences acquisition, in addition to the $50.0 million
paid in 2022 following achievement of two short-term milestones. As
at 31 December 2023, the discounted fair value of the contingent
consideration payable in respect of the Group's acquisitions was
$138.0 million (2022: $140.0 million). Refer to Note 10 -
Acquisitions to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for
further details.
Reasonably possible changes in
certain key assumptions and forecasts may cause the calculated fair
value of the contingent consideration to vary materially within the
next financial year and accordingly, this has been identified as a
key source of estimation uncertainty. Refer to Note 1.2 - Critical
accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty to
the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further
details.
Dividends
Dividends are distributed based on
the distributable reserves of the Company, which are primarily
derived from the dividends received from subsidiary companies and
are not based directly on the Group's consolidated retained
earnings. The distributable reserves of the Company at 31 December
2023 were $1,539.4 million (2022:
$1,562.9 million).
The Board declared an interim
dividend of 1.769 cents per share in August 2023 and has
recommended a final 2023 dividend of 4.460 cents per share, which
would bring the full year dividend to 6.229 cents per share (2022:
6.047 cents per share), an increase of 3% and a pay-out ratio when
compared to adjusted net profit of 46% (2022: 48%). Our stated
policy is a pay-out ratio of 35% to 45% of adjusted net profit but
this is interpreted flexibly over time to reflect the underlying
performance of the business and the Board's confidence in its
future growth prospects. The Board has also taken the decision to
terminate the scrip dividend option.
Refer to Note 8 - Dividends to the
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further
information.
Cash Flow and Net Debt
|
Adjusted
|
|
2023
|
|
$m
|
EBITDA1
|
527.1
|
Working capital
movement1
|
(8.1)
|
(Loss) on foreign exchange
derivatives
|
(4.8)
|
Adjusting
items2
|
(23.6)
|
Capital expenditure
|
(129.2)
|
|
|
Operating cash flow1,3
|
361.4
|
Tax paid
|
(35.9)
|
|
|
Free cash to capital1,3
|
325.5
|
Net interest paid
|
(65.6)
|
Payment of lease
liabilities
|
(22.7)
|
Other4
|
(8.9)
|
|
|
Free cash to equity1,3
|
228.3
|
Dividends5
|
(110.7)
|
Acquisitions &
divestitures6
|
(178.8)
|
|
|
Movement in net debt
|
(61.2)
|
|
|
Net debt1 at 1 January
(excluding lease liabilities)
|
(1,068.1)
|
|
|
Net
debt1 at 31 December (excluding lease
liabilities)
|
(1,129.3)
|
1. These non-IFRS
financial measures are explained and reconciled to the most
directly comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with
IFRS in the Non-IFRS financial information section.
2. Details of
adjusting items are provided in the adjusting items cash movement
table in the Non-IFRS financial information section. Of the total
cash outflow of $23.6 million during the year, $7.5 million related
to accruals recorded in the prior year.
3. Compared to
2022, the cash flow measures have been simplified in respect of
their title. 'Net cash for cash conversion' has been renamed
'Operating cash flow' and 'Free cash flow (post-tax)' has been
renamed 'Free cash flow to capital'. In addition, a new measure has
been introduced, 'Free cash flow to equity' (as defined in the
Reconciliation of Operating cash flow, free cash to capital and
free cash to equity' table on page 25. The Directors consider that
these changes result in consistency of cash flow measures and
provide improved definition, clarity and insight.
4. Other consisted
of financing fees amortisation $2.8 million (2022: $6.6 million)
and net FX loss on cash and borrowings of $6.7 million (2022: $4.9
million) offset by proceeds from PPE sales of $0.6 million (2022:
nil).
5. Dividend cash
payments of $110.7 million were made to shareholders during the
year. This represented 87.3% of total dividends declared in the
period, with the remaining 12.7% electing to settle via scrip
dividends. The Board took the decision to terminate the scrip
dividend option during the year.
6. Net acquisition
and divestiture payments of $178.8 million consisted of the initial
consideration payment of $56.7 million in respect of the
acquisition of Starlight Sciences Limited, $27.7 million in respect
of the acquisitions of A Better Choice Medical Supply LLC and All
American Medical Supply Corp and $94.7 million in respect of the
Year 1 earn out associated with the 2022 acquisition of Triad Life
Sciences. These were offset by $0.3 million of income arising from
divestiture-related activities.
EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA increased by $27.1
million to $527.1 million (2022:
$500.0 million), with
the increase in adjusted gross profit of $75.1 million more than
offsetting the increase in adjusted operating expenses of $47.0
million. These are explained in the adjusted net profit commentary
section. A reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to the closest IFRS
measure is provided in the Non-IFRS financial information section
on pages 21 to 26.
Free cash flow to capital
Free cash flow to capital
increased by $138.1 million to $325.5 million (2022: $187.4 million), largely driven by a significantly lower working capital
outflow (resulting in a movement year-on-year of $90.5 million),
the increase in adjusted EBITDA of $27.1 million as explained
above, a reduction in capital expenditure spend of $15.0 million
and a reduction in cash tax paid of $17.0 million. These were
partly offset by an increase in adjusting cash outflow items of
$8.4 million, of which details are provided in the Non-IFRS
financial information section on page 25.
The Group invested $129.2 million
in capital expenditure (2022: $144.2 million) to increase
manufacturing capacity and automation and improve information
technology and digital tools.
The adjusted working capital
outflow of $8.1 million (2022: $98.6 million outflow) improved
significantly year-on-year, with increased inventory levels of
$53.9 million on an adjusted basis largely offset by a $30.2
million decrease in trade and other receivables, a $10.5 million
increase in trade and other payables and a $7.8 million reduction
in restricted cash.
Increased inventory levels
reflected strategic decisions to continue to build supply chain
resilience across the Group, which was achieved in the first half
of the year. There was a modest decline in inventory in the second
half of the year.
The decrease in trade and other
receivables reflected improving cash collections, coupled with a
receivables financing arrangement entered by the Group during the
year to normalise receivable terms for certain major customers,
equating to $27.4 million, and favourable movements in the
mark-to-market valuation of derivative financial assets.
The increase in trade and other
payables of $10.5 million reflected standardisation of supplier
payment terms implemented in the year as part of our simplification
and productivity initiatives, coupled with some favourable timing
impacts which will partly reverse in 2024. The increase was
partially offset by a decrease in derivative financial liabilities
as a result of the mark-to-market valuation at the year
end.
Operating cash
conversion1 was 83.7% (2022: 59.5%). The increase in the
ratio primarily reflected the significantly lower working capital
outflow as commented on above. Further details are provided in the
Non-IFRS financial information section.
1. The previous
ratio called 'Adjusted cash conversion', calculated as Operating
cash flow/Adjusted EBITDA, has been replaced by 'Operating cash
conversion' and is now calculated as Operating cash flow/Adjusted
operating profit. The Directors consider that this change results
in consistency of cash flow measures and provides improved
definition, clarity and insight.
Free cash flow to equity
Free cash flow to equity increased
by $123.0 million to $228.3 million (2022:
$105.3 million). This
was driven by an increase in free cash flow to capital of $138.1
million as explained above and a decrease in the amortisation of
financing fees of $3.8 million. These favourable movements were
partly offset by higher finance expense payments of $15.7 million
due to higher market interest rates.
Equity cash conversion2
was 83.3% (2022: 41.0%).
2. A new measure
has been introduced. 'Equity cash conversion' is calculated as Free
cash flow to equity/Adjusted net profit. The Directors consider
that this change results in consistency of cash flow measures and
provides improved definition, clarity and insight.
Borrowings and net debt
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
Borrowings
|
(1,226.9)
|
(1,211.9)
|
Lease liabilities
|
(85.5)
|
(88.3)
|
Total borrowings including lease
liabilities
|
(1,312.4)
|
(1,300.2)
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
97.6
|
143.8
|
Total borrowings including lease liabilities, net of
cash
|
(1,214.8)
|
(1,156.4)
|
Net debt (excluding lease
liabilities)
|
(1,129.3)
|
(1,068.1)
|
Net
debt (excluding leases)/adjusted EBITDA
|
2.1
|
2.1
|
As at 31 December 2023, the
Group's cash and cash equivalents were $97.6 million (31 December
2022 $143.8 million) and the debt outstanding on borrowings (net of
deferred financing fees) was $1,226.9 million (31 December 2022:
$1,211.9 million).
The Group's banking facilities
comprise of a multicurrency revolving credit facility of $950.0
million and a term loan of $250.0 million. In November 2023, the
Group extended the term of its multicurrency revolving credit
facility by an additional year and this is now committed to
November 2028. The term loan remains committed to November
2027.
The Group's $500.0 million senior
unsecured notes, issued in October 2021, remain in place with
maturity in October 2029.
As at 31 December 2023, $459.4
million of the multicurrency revolving credit facility remained
undrawn. This, combined with cash of $97.6 million, provided the
Group with total liquidity of $557.0 million at 31 December 2023
(31 December 2022: $616.6 million). Of this, $21.1 million was held
in territories where there are restrictions related to repatriation
(31 December 2022: $19.2 million).
The Group ended the period with
total borrowings, including IFRS 16 lease liabilities, of $1,312.4
million (2022: $1,300.2 million). Offsetting cash of $97.6 million
(2022: $143.8 million) and excluding lease liabilities, net debt
was $1,129.3 million (2022: $1,068.1 million), equivalent to 2.1x
adjusted EBITDA (2022: 2.1x adjusted EBITDA). For
further information on borrowings see Note 11 - Borrowings to the
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Covenants
At 31 December 2023, the Group was
in compliance with all financial and non-financial covenants
associated with the Group's outstanding debt.
The Group has two financial
covenants, being net leverage and interest cover, each of which is
defined, where applicable, within the borrowing documentation. The
table below summarises the Group's most restrictive covenant
thresholds and position as at 31 December 2023 and 2022.
|
Maximum covenant net
leverage
|
Actual covenant net
leverage
|
Minimum covenant interest
cover1
|
Actual covenant interest
cover1
|
31
December 2023
|
3.50x
|
2.30x
|
3.5x
|
7.0x
|
31 December 2022
|
3.50x
|
2.28x
|
3.5x
|
9.9x
|
*Interest cover is adjusted EBITDA/interest expense (net) and
net leverage is net debt/adjusted EBITDA in accordance with the
definitions contained in underlying borrowing documentation and are
not the same as the definitions of these measures presented in the
Non-IFRS financial information section on pages 21 to 26 and
applied in the commentary in this Financial
review.
Group financial position
|
2023
|
2022
|
Change
|
At
31 December
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
Intangible assets and
goodwill
|
2,234.1
|
2,149.5
|
84.6
|
Other non-current assets
|
609.6
|
553.2
|
56.4
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
97.6
|
143.8
|
(46.2)
|
Other current assets
|
772.4
|
745.5
|
26.9
|
Total assets
|
3,713.7
|
3,592.0
|
121.7
|
Current liabilities
|
(536.4)
|
(533.1)
|
(3.3)
|
Non-current liabilities
|
(1,484.6)
|
(1,449.2)
|
(35.4)
|
Equity
|
(1,692.7)
|
(1,609.7)
|
(83.0)
|
Total equity and liabilities
|
(3,713.7)
|
(3,592.0)
|
(121.7)
|
Intangible assets and goodwill
Intangible assets and goodwill
increased by $84.6 million to $2,234.1 million (2022: $2,149.5
million). This increase was primarily driven by intangible assets
and goodwill arising from the acquisitions during the year of
$162.7 million, combined with intangible asset additions of $37.6
million and the net effect of foreign exchange of $38.9 million,
being partially offset by the in-year amortisation of intangible
assets of $154.6 million.
No triggers of impairments were
identified during 2023.
Other non-current assets
Other non-current assets,
including property, plant and equipment (PP&E), right-of-use
assets (ROU assets), investment in financial assets, deferred tax
assets, restricted cash and other assets increased by $56.4 million
to $609.6 million (2022: $553.2 million). The increase reflected
the continued investment in our manufacturing facilities, with
additions in PP&E of $97.3 million and the net effect of
foreign exchange of $16.5 million being partly offset by
depreciation of $37.5 million and impairments of $2.7
million.
Included within other non-current
assets was the investment made in the preference shares of BlueWind
Medical in 2022. The fair value at 31 December 2023 decreased to
$22.9 million (2022: $30.7 million) due to a downgrade in revised
forecasts as a result of delays in obtaining regulatory approvals,
with the movement taken to Other Comprehensive Income. Restricted
cash reduced by $2.0 million primarily due to movements in amounts
held in escrow arising from the Group's acquisitions, whilst ROU
assets reduced by $4.7 million.
Current assets excluding cash and cash
equivalents
Current assets, excluding cash and
cash equivalents, increased by $26.9 million to $772.4 million
(2022: $745.5 million), primarily driven by an increase in
inventories of $59.2 million. Excluding a foreign exchange effect
of $9.8 million, inventory increased on a reported basis by $49.4
million and was largely to build resilience across the Group. This
was partly offset by reductions in trade and other receivables of
$5.6 million (net of foreign exchange effect of $9.8 million),
current tax receivable of $8.2 million, derivative financial assets
of $12.8 million and restricted cash of $5.7 million.
Derivative financial assets
decreased by $12.8 million due to movements in the mark-to-market
valuations at the year end, whilst restricted cash fell by $5.7
million, driven by movements in cash held in escrow that arose from
the Group's acquisitions.
Current liabilities
Current liabilities increased
modestly by $3.3 million to $536.4 million (2022: $533.1 million),
with an increase in trade and other payables of $42.1 million
largely offset by decreases in derivative financial liabilities of
$15.8 million, provisions of $16.5 million and current tax payable
of $6.9 million.
Trade and other payables increased
due to an extension to supplier payment terms following
standardisation as part of our simplification and productivity
initiatives, coupled with some favourable timing impacts which will
partly reverse in 2024. Derivative financial liabilities decreased
due to movements in the mark-to-market valuations at the year
end.
Overall, provisions increased by
$1.7 million, with provisions amounts less than one year decreasing
by $16.5 million and amounts greater than one year increasing by
$18.2 million. The overall increase was primarily due to an
increase in restructuring provisions of $3.7 million offset by a
reduction in contingent consideration payable of $2.0 million.
Refer to Note 13 - Provisions to the Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements for further commentary.
Non-current liabilities
Non-current liabilities increased
by $35.4 million to $1,484.6 million (2022: $1,449.2 million). This
included an increase in non-current borrowings of $15.0 million, an
increase in provisions of $18.2 million (see comments in current
liabilities above) and an increase in deferred tax liabilities of
$5.0 million primarily due to deferred tax recognised on the
acquisition of Starlight Science Limited in the year.
These were partially offset by a
reduction in lease liabilities of $3.2 million, as a result of the
office footprint optimisation programme that commenced in 2023 as
part of our simplification and productivity initiatives.
Going concern
In preparing their assessment of
going concern, the Directors considered available cash resources,
access to committed undrawn funding, financial performance and
forecast performance, including continued implementation of the
FISBE strategy, together with the Group's financial covenant
compliance requirements and principal risks and
uncertainties.
Management also applied the same
severe but plausible downside scenarios utilised in the preparation
of the Viability statement. Under each scenario, the Group retained
significant liquidity and covenant headroom throughout the going
concern period, i.e. 12 months from the date of this report. A
reverse stress test, before corporate level mitigations, was also
considered to demonstrate what reduction in revenue would be
required in the next 12 months to create conditions which may lead
to a potential covenant breach. For a breach of covenants to occur
in the next 12 months, before corporate mitigation, the Group would
need to experience a sustained revenue reduction of more than 10%
across all categories and markets. This was considered implausible
given the Group's strong global market position, diversified
portfolio of products and the corporate mitigations available to
the Board and management.
Accordingly, the Directors
continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Financial control environment
The Group closely monitors the
financial and IT general control environment (in respect of those
IT controls that have an implication on the financial processes)
using a formal control programme to confirm the effectiveness of
key reporting and IT controls across our global operations,
including self-certifications from control owners. Compliance
was high throughout the year.
The Internal Controls team acts as
the second of line of defence monitoring the controls framework,
including monitoring responses, undertaking random sample testing
of responses to supporting evidence and reviewing all notified
financial and IT control failures to ensure that appropriate
mitigating actions are taken to safeguard against risk of material
financial misstatement.
Independent assurance on the
control framework is given by the Internal Audit team, including
key controls in their reviews of specific markets and GBS. In
addition, key controls in the framework were tested by the external
audit team as part of their controls reliance approach in
2023.
In response to the developments in
corporate governance in the UK, the scope of the formal control
programme was extended to include key non-financial metrics
reported in the ARA, notably the ESG metrics currently in scope for
limited assurance.
Non-IFRS financial information
Non-IFRS financial information or
alternative performance measures (APMs) are those measures used by
the Board and management on a day-to-day basis in their assessment
of profit and performance and comparison between periods. The
adjustments applied to IFRS measures reflect the effect of certain
cash and non-cash items that the Board believes distort the
understanding of the quality of earnings and cashflows as, by their
size or nature, they are not considered part of the core operations
of the business. Adjusted measures also form the basis of
performance measures for remuneration, e.g. adjusted operating
profit.
It should be noted that the
Group's APMs may not be comparable to other similarly titled
measures used by other companies and should not be considered in
isolation or as a substitute for the equivalent measures calculated
and presented in accordance with IFRS.
In determining whether an item
should be presented as an allowable adjustment to IFRS measures,
the Group considers items which are significant either because of
their size or their nature and arise from events that are not
considered part of the core operations of the business. These tend
to be one-off events but may still cross more than one accounting
period. Recurring items may be considered, particularly in respect
of the amortisation of acquisition-related intangibles assets. If
an item meets at least one of these criteria, the Board, through
the Audit and Risk Committee, then exercises judgement as to
whether the item should be classified as an allowable adjustment to
IFRS performance measures.
The tax effect of the adjustments
is reflected in the adjusted tax expense to remove the tax impact
from adjusted net profit and adjusted earnings per
share.
Amortisation of acquisition-related intangible
assets
The Group's strategy is to
grow both organically and through acquisition, with acquisitions
being targeted to strengthen our position in
key geographies and/or business categories or which
provide access to new technology. The nature of the businesses
acquired includes the acquisition of significant intangible assets,
which are required to be amortised. The Board and management
regard the amortisation as a distortion to the quality of earnings
and it has no cash implications in the year. The amortisation
also distorts comparability with peer groups where such assets may
have been internally generated and, therefore, not reflected on
their balance sheet. Amortisation of acquisition-related intangible
assets is, by its nature, a recurring adjustment.
Acquisition-related activities
Costs directly related to
potential and actual strategic transactions which have been
executed, aborted or are in-flight are deemed adjusting
items.
Acquisition-related costs relate
to deal costs, integration costs and earn-out adjustments,
including the discounting impact which are incurred directly as a
result of the Group undertaking or pursuing an acquisition. Deal
costs are wholly attributable to the deal, including legal fees,
due diligence fees, bankers' fees/commissions and other direct
costs incurred as a result of the actual or potential transaction.
Integration costs are wholly attributable to the integration of the
target and based on integration plans presented at the point of
acquisition, including the cost of retention of key people where
this is in excess of normal compensation, redundancy of target
staff and early lease termination payments.
Adjusted measures in relation to
acquisitions also include aborted deal costs.
Divestiture-related activities
Divestiture-related activities
comprise the gains or losses resulting from disposal or divestment
of a business as a result of a sale, major business change or
restructuring programme. These include write-down of non-current
assets, provisions to recognise inventories at realisable value,
provisions for costs of exiting contracts and associated legal
fees, and any other directly attributable costs. Any income from
the ultimate disposal of a business or subsidiary is included in
the gain or loss.
Adjusted measures in relation to
divestitures also include aborted deal costs.
Impairment of assets
Impairments, write-offs and gains
and losses from defined programmes and where the Group considers
the circumstances of such event are not reflective of normal
business trading performance or when transactions relate to
acquisition-related intangible assets where the amortisation is
already excluded from the calculation of adjusted
measures.
Termination benefits and related costs
Termination benefits and other
related costs arise from material, one-time Group-wide initiatives
to reduce the ongoing cost base and improve efficiency in the
business, including divestitures from non-strategic activities. The
Board considers each project individually to determine whether its
size and nature warrants separate disclosure. Qualifying items are
limited to termination benefits (including retention) without
condition of continuing employment in respect of major Group-wide
change programmes. Where discrete qualifying items are identified
these costs are highlighted and excluded from the calculation of
adjusted measures. Due to their nature, these adjusted costs may
span more than one year.
Other adjusting items
Other adjusting items relate to
material, one-time initiatives which are part of the Group's
strategy to improve productivity in the business and optimise cash
flows. The Board considers each project individually to determine
whether its size and nature warrants separate disclosure.
Qualifying costs are limited to directly attributable costs of the
initiatives and any realignment costs. Due to the nature of the
initiatives, these adjusted costs may span more than one
year.
Organic revenue growth
Organic revenue growth represents
the change in organic revenue year on year. Organic revenue
represents reported revenue, as determined under IFRS, and excludes
the impact of acquisitions, divestitures and currency exchange
movements.
Cash flow measures
Operating cash flow is the net
cash generated from operations, as determined under IFRS, less
capital expenditure. Free cash flow to capital is defined as
operating cash flow less tax paid. Free cash flow to equity
reflects how effectively we are converting the profit we generate
into cash (after accounting for working capital, capital
investments, adjusting items, tax and interest).
Refer to page 25 for details on
how these measures are calculated.
Reconciliation of reported earnings to adjusted earnings for
the years ended 31 December 2023 and 2022
Year ended 31 December 2023
|
Revenue
|
Gross
profit
|
Operating costs
|
Operating
profit
|
Finance
expense, net
|
Fair
value movement of contingent consideration
|
Non-operating income, net
|
PBT
|
Income
tax
|
Net profit
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
As
reported
|
2,142.4
|
1,200.6
|
(937.9)
|
262.7
|
(75.5)
|
(24.6)
|
4.8
|
167.4
|
(37.1)
|
130.3
|
Amortisation of acquired
intangibles
|
-
|
110.4
|
25.8
|
136.2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
136.2
|
(32.6)
|
103.6
|
Acquisition-related costs
|
-
|
1.5
|
6.8
|
8.3
|
-
|
24.6
|
-
|
32.9
|
(1.4)
|
31.5
|
Divestiture-related
costs/(income)
|
-
|
3.6
|
(1.8)
|
1.8
|
-
|
-
|
(3.9)
|
(2.1)
|
0.7
|
(1.4)
|
Termination benefits and related
costs
|
-
|
2.1
|
7.4
|
9.5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9.5
|
(2.0)
|
7.5
|
Other adjusting items
|
-
|
2.5
|
10.8
|
13.3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
13.3
|
(3.2)
|
10.1
|
Total adjustments including tax
effect
|
-
|
120.1
|
49.0
|
169.1
|
-
|
24.6
|
(3.9)
|
189.8
|
(38.5)
|
151.3
|
Other discrete tax items
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
-
|
-
|
(7.5)
|
(7.5)
|
Adjusted
|
2,142.4
|
1,320.7
|
(888.9)
|
431.8
|
(75.5)
|
-
|
0.9
|
357.2
|
(83.1)
|
274.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortisation
|
|
|
|
18.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
|
60.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impairment/write-off of
assets
|
|
|
|
2.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based payments
|
|
|
|
14.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA
|
|
|
|
527.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended 31 December 2022
|
Revenue
|
Gross
profit
|
Operating costs
|
Operating profit
|
Finance
expense, net
|
Fair
value movement of contingent consideration
|
Non-operating (expense), net
|
PBT
|
Income
tax
|
Net
profit
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
As
reported1
|
2,072.5
|
1,103.9
|
(896.6)
|
207.3
|
(52.1)
|
(45.1)
|
(28.2)
|
81.9
|
(19.0)
|
62.9
|
Amortisation of acquired
intangibles
|
-
|
111.6
|
19.7
|
131.3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
131.3
|
(29.2)
|
102.1
|
Acquisition-related
costs1
|
-
|
8.7
|
8.2
|
16.9
|
-
|
45.1
|
-
|
62.0
|
(3.5)
|
58.5
|
Divestiture-related costs
|
-
|
16.6
|
23.1
|
39.7
|
-
|
-
|
14.2
|
53.9
|
(7.8)
|
46.1
|
Termination benefits and related
costs
|
-
|
4.8
|
2.3
|
7.1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7.1
|
(1.2)
|
5.9
|
Impairment of assets
|
-
|
-
|
1.4
|
1.4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1.4
|
-
|
1.4
|
Total adjustments including tax
effect
|
-
|
141.7
|
54.7
|
196.4
|
-
|
45.1
|
14.2
|
255.7
|
(41.7)
|
214.0
|
Other discrete tax items
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
-
|
-
|
(20.1)
|
(20.1)
|
Adjusted
|
2,072.5
|
1,245.6
|
(841.9)
|
403.7
|
(52.1)
|
-
|
(14.0)
|
337.6
|
(80.8)
|
256.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortisation
|
|
|
|
16.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
|
61.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impairment/write-off of
assets
|
|
|
|
1.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based payments
|
|
|
|
16.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA
|
|
|
|
500.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1. The comparatives
have been re-presented, as outlined in Note 1.5 to the Financial
Statements.
Adjusted operating profit margin
of 20.2% (2022: 19.5%) is calculated as adjusted operating profit
of $431.8 million (2022: $403.7 million) divided by revenue of
$2,142.4 million (2022: $2,072.5 million). A reconciliation of
adjusted operating profit to its closest IFRS measure is shown in
the table above.
Reconciliation of reported operating costs to adjusted
operating costs for the years ended 31 December 2023 and 31
December 2022
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
S&D
|
G&A
|
R&D
|
Other
|
Operating
costs
|
|
S&D
|
G&A
|
R&D
|
Other
|
Operating costs
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
As
reported
|
(612.5)
|
(212.9)
|
(110.0)
|
(2.5)
|
(937.9)
|
|
(575.9)
|
(214.9)
|
(92.0)
|
(13.8)
|
(896.6)
|
Amortisation of acquired
intangibles
|
-
|
19.8
|
6.0
|
-
|
25.8
|
|
-
|
19.7
|
-
|
-
|
19.7
|
Acquisition-related costs
|
-
|
6.8
|
-
|
-
|
6.8
|
|
-
|
8.2
|
-
|
-
|
8.2
|
Divestiture-related
costs/(income)
|
(1.0)
|
(0.4)
|
-
|
(0.4)
|
(1.8)
|
|
9.0
|
1.7
|
|
12.4
|
23.1
|
Impairment of assets
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1.4
|
1.4
|
Termination benefits and related
costs
|
1.6
|
5.7
|
0.1
|
-
|
7.4
|
|
2.0
|
0.3
|
-
|
-
|
2.3
|
Other adjusting items
|
-
|
7.9
|
-
|
2.9
|
10.8
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Adjusted
|
(611.9)
|
(173.1)
|
(103.9)
|
-
|
(888.9)
|
|
(564.9)
|
(185.0)
|
(92.0)
|
-
|
(841.9)
|
Reconciliation of reported basic and diluted earnings per
share to adjusted earnings per share for the years ended 31
December 2023 and 31 December 2022
|
2023
|
Adjusted
2023
|
2022
|
Adjusted
2022
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
Net profit attributable to the
shareholders of the Group
|
130.3
|
274.1
|
62.9
|
256.8
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Number
|
Basic weighted average ordinary
shares in issue
|
|
2,038,653,228
|
|
2,023,839,657
|
Diluted weighted average ordinary
shares in issue
|
|
2,052,589,260
|
|
2,040,247,468
|
|
Cents per
share
|
Cents per
share
|
Cents
per share
|
Cents
per share
|
Basic earnings per share
|
6.4
|
13.4
|
3.1
|
12.7
|
Diluted earnings per
share
|
6.3
|
13.4
|
3.1
|
12.6
|
Adjusted diluted EPS has increased
by 6.1% and is calculated as adjusted diluted EPS for the current
period less adjusted diluted EPS for the prior year, divided by the
prior year adjusted diluted EPS. This is calculated on actual
unrounded numbers.
Reconciliation of Operating cash flow, Free cash flow to
capital, Free cash flow to equity
|
Year ended 31
December
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
Net
cash generated from operations
|
490.6
|
384.5
|
Less: acquisition of property, plant
and equipment and intangible assets
|
(129.2)
|
(144.2)
|
Operating cash flow1
|
361.4
|
240.3
|
Tax paid
|
(35.9)
|
(52.9)
|
Free cash flow to capital1
|
325.5
|
187.4
|
Net interest paid
|
(65.6)
|
(49.9)
|
Payment of lease
liabilities
|
(22.7)
|
(20.7)
|
Financing fee
amortisation
|
(2.8)
|
(6.6)
|
Foreign exchange (loss) on cash and
borrowings
|
(6.7)
|
(4.9)
|
Proceeds from sale of property,
plant and equipment
|
0.6
|
-
|
Free cash flow to equity1
|
228.3
|
105.3
|
1. The
cash flow measures have also been simplified. 'Net cash for cash
conversion' has been renamed 'Operating cash flow' and 'Free cash
flow (post-tax)' has been renamed 'Free cash flow to capital'. In
addition, a new measure has been introduced, 'Free cash flow to
equity' (as defined in the table above). The Directors consider
that these changes result in consistency of cash flow measures and
provide improved definition, clarity and insight.
Free cash flow to equity has
increased by 116.8% to $228.3 million (2022: $105.3 million) and is
calculated as the movement in free cash flow to equity year-on-year
divided by the free cash flow to equity in the prior year. A
reconciliation of free cash flow to equity to its closest IFRS
measure is shown in the table above.
Reconciliation of reported and adjusted working capital
movement
|
Year ended 31
December
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
Reported working capital movement
|
(1.3)
|
(62.5)
|
Increase/(decrease) in respect of
acquisitions and divestitures
|
3.1
|
(39.2)
|
(Decrease)/increase in termination
benefits
|
(6.1)
|
3.1
|
(Decrease) in respect of other
adjusting items
|
(3.8)
|
-
|
Adjusted working capital movement
|
(8.1)
|
(98.6)
|
Cash outflows from adjusting items
|
Year ended 31
December
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
Acquisition and divestitures
adjustments
|
(13.6)
|
(5.0)
|
Termination benefits and related
costs adjustments
|
(3.4)
|
(10.2)
|
Other adjusting items
|
(6.6)
|
-
|
Cash outflows from adjusting items
|
(23.6)
|
(15.2)
|
Cash flow conversion
|
Year ended 31
December
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
Operating cash conversion1
|
83.7%
|
59.5%
|
|
|
|
Equity cash conversion1
|
83.3%
|
41.0%
|
1. 'Adjusted cash
conversion', previously calculated as Operating cash flow/Adjusted
EBITDA, has been replaced by 'Operating cash conversion' and is
calculated as Operating cash flow/Adjusting operating profit. In
addition, a new measure has been introduced. 'Equity cash
conversion' is calculated as Free cash flow to equity/Adjusted net
profit. The Directors consider that these changes result in
consistency of cash flow measures and provide improved definition,
clarity and insight.
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Income Statement
For
the year ended 31 December 2023
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
Notes
|
$m
|
$m
|
Revenue
|
2
|
2,142.4
|
2,072.5
|
Cost of sales
|
|
(941.8)
|
(968.6)
|
Gross profit
|
|
1,200.6
|
1,103.9
|
|
|
|
|
Selling and distribution
expenses
|
|
(612.5)
|
(575.9)
|
General and administrative
expenses
|
|
(212.9)
|
(214.9)
|
Research and development
expenses
|
|
(110.0)
|
(92.0)
|
Other operating expenses
|
3
|
(2.5)
|
(13.8)
|
Operating profit
|
|
262.7
|
207.3
|
|
|
|
|
Finance income
|
4
|
5.2
|
5.5
|
Finance
expense1
|
4
|
(80.7)
|
(57.6)
|
Fair value movement of contingent
consideration1
|
13
|
(24.6)
|
(45.1)
|
Non-operating income/(expense),
net1
|
5
|
4.8
|
(28.2)
|
Profit before income taxes
|
|
167.4
|
81.9
|
Income tax expense
|
6
|
(37.1)
|
(19.0)
|
Net
profit
|
|
130.3
|
62.9
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share (cents per
share)
|
|
6.4¢
|
3.1¢
|
Diluted earnings per share (cents
per share)
|
|
6.3¢
|
3.1¢
|
1 The comparatives have been re-presented as outlined in Note
1.5 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
All amounts are attributable to
shareholders of the Group and wholly derived from continuing
operations.
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive
Income
For
the year ended 31 December 2023
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
Notes
|
$m
|
$m
|
Net
profit
|
|
130.3
|
62.9
|
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to the
Consolidated Income Statement
|
|
|
|
Remeasurement of defined benefit
pension plans, net of tax
|
|
(0.2)
|
8.4
|
Fair value movement on equity
investments
|
9
|
(7.8)
|
-
|
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to the
Consolidated Income Statement
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency
translation
|
|
54.9
|
(113.6)
|
Realisation of cumulative
translation adjustments
|
|
-
|
12.2
|
Effective portion of changes in fair
value of cash flow hedges
|
12
|
0.7
|
(7.7)
|
Changes in fair value of cash flow
hedges reclassified to the Consolidated Income Statement
|
12
|
(0.8)
|
16.5
|
Costs of hedging
|
12
|
(0.5)
|
(1.1)
|
Income tax in respect of items that
may be reclassified
|
|
0.1
|
2.4
|
Other comprehensive income/(expense)
|
|
46.4
|
(82.9)
|
Total comprehensive income/(expense)
|
|
176.7
|
(20.0)
|
All amounts are attributable to
shareholders of the Group and wholly derived from continuing
operations.
Consolidated Statement of Financial
Position
As at 31 December 2023
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
Notes
|
$m
|
$m
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
Non-current assets
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and
equipment
|
|
473.8
|
400.4
|
Right-of-use assets
|
|
74.7
|
79.4
|
Intangible
assets1
|
|
935.3
|
924.9
|
Goodwill1
|
|
1,298.8
|
1,224.6
|
Investment in financial
assets
|
9
|
22.9
|
30.7
|
Deferred tax assets
|
6
|
21.2
|
26.6
|
Derivative financial
assets
|
12
|
-
|
0.2
|
Restricted cash
|
|
5.3
|
7.3
|
Other non-current
receivables
|
|
11.7
|
8.6
|
|
|
2,843.7
|
2,702.7
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
Inventories
|
|
396.1
|
336.9
|
Trade and other
receivables1
|
|
333.7
|
339.3
|
Current tax
receivable1
|
|
16.5
|
24.7
|
Derivative financial
assets
|
12
|
13.6
|
26.4
|
Restricted cash
|
|
12.5
|
18.2
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
97.6
|
143.8
|
|
|
870.0
|
889.3
|
Total assets
|
|
3,713.7
|
3,592.0
|
Equity and liabilities
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
Trade and other payables
|
|
388.7
|
346.6
|
Lease liabilities
|
|
20.7
|
20.3
|
Current tax payable
|
|
26.6
|
33.5
|
Derivative financial
liabilities
|
12
|
16.7
|
32.5
|
Provisions
|
13
|
83.7
|
100.2
|
|
|
536.4
|
533.1
|
Non-current liabilities
|
|
|
|
Borrowings
|
11
|
1,226.9
|
1,211.9
|
Lease liabilities
|
|
64.8
|
68.0
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
88.2
|
83.2
|
Provisions
|
13
|
71.3
|
53.1
|
Derivative financial
liabilities
|
12
|
0.9
|
0.3
|
Other non-current
liabilities
|
|
32.5
|
32.7
|
|
|
1,484.6
|
1,449.2
|
Total liabilities
|
|
2,021.0
|
1,982.3
|
Net
assets
|
|
1,692.7
|
1,609.7
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
Share capital
|
|
251.5
|
250.7
|
Share premium
|
|
181.0
|
165.7
|
Own shares
|
|
(0.6)
|
(1.5)
|
Retained deficit
|
|
(888.7)
|
(892.2)
|
Merger reserve
|
|
2,098.9
|
2,098.9
|
Cumulative translation
reserve
|
|
(122.2)
|
(177.1)
|
Other reserves
|
|
172.8
|
165.2
|
Total equity
|
|
1,692.7
|
1,609.7
|
|
|
|
|
Total equity and liabilities
|
|
3,713.7
|
3,592.0
|
1 The comparatives have been re-presented as outlined in Note
1.5 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended 31 December 2023
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
Notes
|
$m
|
$m
|
Cash flows from operating activities
|
|
|
|
Net profit
|
|
130.3
|
62.9
|
Adjustments for
|
|
|
|
Depreciation of property, plant and
equipment
|
|
37.5
|
39.7
|
Depreciation of right-of-use
assets
|
|
22.7
|
22.1
|
Amortisation of intangible
assets
|
|
154.6
|
147.4
|
Income tax
|
6
|
37.1
|
19.0
|
Non-operating (income)/expense,
net1
|
5
|
(9.6)
|
26.5
|
Fair value movement of contingent
consideration
|
13
|
24.6
|
45.1
|
Finance costs,
net1
|
4
|
75.5
|
52.1
|
Share-based payments
|
|
14.6
|
16.7
|
Impairment/write-off of intangible
assets
|
|
-
|
6.3
|
Impairment/write-off of property,
plant and equipment
|
|
2.7
|
9.2
|
Impairment/write-off of right-of-use
assets
|
|
1.9
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
Change in assets and
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
Inventories
|
|
(49.4)
|
(36.3)
|
Trade and other
receivables
|
|
18.7
|
(54.3)
|
Derivative financial
assets
|
|
11.5
|
(9.3)
|
Other non-current
receivables
|
|
(1.1)
|
3.0
|
Restricted cash
|
|
7.8
|
(11.8)
|
Trade and other
payables1
|
|
21.1
|
14.7
|
Derivative financial
liabilities
|
|
(13.4)
|
20.7
|
Provisions1
|
|
4.8
|
9.8
|
Other non-current
payables1
|
|
(1.3)
|
1.0
|
Net
cash generated from operations
|
|
490.6
|
384.5
|
Interest received
|
|
5.2
|
5.5
|
Interest paid
|
|
(70.8)
|
(55.4)
|
Payment of contingent consideration
arising from acquisitions
|
13
|
(21.7)
|
-
|
Income taxes paid
|
|
(35.9)
|
(52.9)
|
Net
cash generated from operating activities
|
|
367.4
|
281.7
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities
|
|
|
|
Acquisition of property, plant and
equipment and intangible assets
|
|
(129.2)
|
(144.2)
|
Proceeds from sale of property,
plant and equipment
|
|
0.6
|
-
|
Acquisitions, net of cash
acquired
|
10
|
(84.4)
|
(123.3)
|
Payment of contingent consideration
arising from acquisitions
|
13
|
(73.0)
|
(50.0)
|
Net cash inflow/(outflow) arising
from divestitures
|
|
0.3
|
(0.1)
|
Investment in financial
assets
|
9
|
-
|
(30.7)
|
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
|
(285.7)
|
(348.3)
|
Cash flows from financing activities
|
|
|
|
Repayment of borrowings
|
|
-
|
(842.5)
|
Proceeds from borrowings
|
11
|
9.4
|
714.2
|
Payment of lease
liabilities
|
|
(22.7)
|
(20.7)
|
Dividends paid
|
8
|
(110.7)
|
(88.1)
|
Net
cash used in financing activities
|
|
(124.0)
|
(237.1)
|
Net
change in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
(42.3)
|
(303.7)
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the
year
|
|
143.8
|
463.4
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash
equivalents
|
|
(3.9)
|
(15.9)
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the
year
|
|
97.6
|
143.8
|
1 The comparatives have been re-presented as outlined in Note
1.5 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
1. Basis of preparation
1.1 General information
Convatec Group Plc (the Company)
is a public limited company incorporated in the United Kingdom
under the Companies Act of 2006. The Company's registered office is
7th Floor 20 Eastbourne Terrace, London, W2 6LG, United
Kingdom.
The Company and its subsidiaries
(collectively, the Group) are a global medical products and
technologies group focused on therapies for the management of
chronic conditions, with leading market positions in advanced wound
care, ostomy care, continence care and infusion care.
The announcement is based on the
Group's Consolidated Financial Statements which have been prepared
in accordance with United Kingdom adopted international accounting
standards and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as
issued by the International Accounting Standards Board
(IASB).
The Financial Statements are
presented in US dollars (USD), reflecting the profile of the
Group's revenue and operating profit, which are primarily generated
in US dollars and US dollar-linked currencies. All values are
rounded to $0.1 million except where otherwise
indicated.
The financial information set out
in this announcement does not constitute the Group's statutory
accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023 and 2022 but is
derived from those accounts. Statutory accounts for 2022 have been
delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those for 2023 will be
delivered following the Company's Annual General Meeting. The
auditor's reports on the 2023 and 2022 accounts were unqualified,
did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis without
qualifying their report and did not contain a statement under
section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
1.2 Critical accounting judgements and key sources of
estimation uncertainty
The preparation of financial
statements, in conformity with United Kingdom adopted international
accounting standards and International Financial Reporting
Standards (IFRS), requires management to make judgements, estimates
and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies
and the reported value of assets and liabilities, income and
expense. Actual results may differ from these estimates or
judgements of likely outcome. Management regularly reviews, and
revises as necessary, the accounting judgements that significantly
impact the amounts recognised in the Consolidated Financial
Statements and the sources of estimation uncertainty that are
considered to be key estimates due to their potential to give rise
to material adjustments in the Group's Consolidated Financial
Statements within the next financial year.
In preparing the Consolidated
Financial Statements, no critical accounting judgements have been
identified. Management have identified one key source of estimation
uncertainty in respect of the provision for contingent
consideration on acquisitions. The nature of the uncertainty
arises from both the estimation of the undiscounted amounts
expected to be paid and the estimation of the timing of discrete
payments.
The underlying drivers of the
contingent consideration are determined in accordance with the
contractual terms of the purchase agreements for each relevant
acquisition and may vary depending on the amounts or timing of
product revenues (including future revenues, which are inherently
uncertain), particularly when it relates to products which are
relatively new to market or not yet launched), the future
achievement of regulatory clearance for new products, or other
uncertainties deriving from the purchase agreement, which may be
subject to negotiation. The Group estimates provisions for
contingent consideration based on information available at the
balance sheet date that includes forecasts that run up to 20 years
into the future and expectations of when future events that trigger
payments will happen. Future payment forecasts are discounted to
present value in accordance with the requirements of IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and
Contingent Assets.
Actual results may differ from
estimates or there may be delays to estimated timetables for
regulatory clearances which would lead to a change in estimate of
provisions for contingent consideration and may vary materially
within the next financial year. At 31 December 2023 the
discounted estimate of provisions for contingent consideration was
$138.0 million (see Note 10 - Acquisitions). Management has
determined that a reasonable possible range of discounted outcomes
within the next financial year is $50.0 million to $156.0
million.
1.3 Going concern
As discussed in the Financial
review on pages 9 to 20, the overall financial performance of the
business remains strong with a robust liquidity
position.
As at 31 December 2023, the Group
held cash and cash equivalents of $97.6 million (31 December 2022:
$143.8 million), and borrowings of $1,226.9 million (31 December
2022: $1,211.9 million). The borrowings as at 31 December 2023
comprised of senior notes of $500.0 million, term loan of $250.0
million, and drawn multicurrency revolving credit facilities of
$490.6 million, net of unamortised financing fees of $13.7 million.
During the year, the term of the $950.0 million multicurrency
revolving credit facility was extended by an additional year and is
now committed to November 2028. The term loan and senior notes
remain repayable in 2027 and 2029 respectively. $459.4 million of
the multicurrency revolving credit facilities remained undrawn as
at 31 December 2023, which together with cash and cash equivalents
of $97.6 million, provided the Group with total liquidity of $557.0
million as at that date (2022: $616.6 million). The principal
financial covenants remain unchanged and as at 31 December 2023,
the Group was in compliance with its financial
covenants.
In preparing their assessment of
going concern, the Directors have considered available cash
resources, financial performance and forecast performance,
including strategy delivery, together with the Group's financial
covenant compliance requirements and principal risks and
uncertainties. The Directors have used cash flow forecasts and
actual performance in 2023, the Board approved 2024 budget and
longer-term strategic plan as foundations. The forecasts reflected
the full potential funding requirements in relation to the
remaining estimated contingent consideration payable in relation to
the Group's acquisitions. The Directors have considered a going
concern period to 31 December 2025, which is at least 12 months
from the date of approval of the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
Accordingly, at the time of
approving these Consolidated Financial Statements, the Directors
have a reasonable expectation that the Group and the Company will
have adequate liquid resources to meet their respective liabilities
as they become due and will be able to sustain its business model,
strategy and operations and remain solvent for a period of at least
12 months from 5 March 2024.
1.4 Accounting standards
New standards, interpretations and amendments applied for the
first time
On 1 January 2023, the Group
adopted the following amendments which are mandatorily effective
for the period beginning 1 January 2023:
· Disclosure of Accounting
Policies (Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement
2);
· Definition of Accounting
Estimates (Amendments to IAS 8);
· Deferred Tax Related to
Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction
(Amendments to IAS 12);
· IFRS 17 - Insurance
contracts; and
· International Tax Reform -
Pillar Two Model Rules (Amendments to IAS 12).
The adoption during the year of
the amendments and interpretations has not had a material impact on
the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Apart from these changes, the
accounting policies set out in the Notes have been applied
consistently to both years presented in these Consolidated
Financial Statements.
New standards, interpretations and amendments not yet
effective
There are a number of standards,
amendments to standards and interpretations which have been issued
by the IASB that are effective in future accounting periods that
the Group has decided not to adopt early.
The following amendments are
effective for the period beginning 1 January 2024:
· IFRS 16 Leases (Amendment -
Liability in a Sale and Leaseback);
· IAS 1 Presentation of
Financial Statements (Amendment - Classification of Liabilities as
Current or Non-current); and
· IAS 1 Presentation of
Financial Statements (Amendment - Non-current liabilities with
Covenants).
The Group is currently assessing
the impact of these new accounting standards and amendments and
does not believe these will have a material impact on the
Group.
Other interpretations and amendments
In addition to these issued
standards, there are a number of other interpretations, amendments
and annual improvement project recommendations that have been
issued but not yet effective that have not yet been adopted by the
Group because application is not yet mandatory, or they are not
relevant for the Group.
1.5 Prior year re-presentation
Certain line items in the primary
statements have been disaggregated to provide greater clarity, and
accordingly, the corresponding 2022 comparative amounts have been
re-presented for consistency and comparability between
periods.
Within the Consolidated Income
Statement, the fair value movement of contingent consideration has
been presented separately. The 2022 comparative amount includes
$15.6 million that was previously included within finance expense,
and $29.5 million previously included within non-operating
income/(expense), net.
Within the Consolidated Statement
of Financial Position, intangible assets of $924.9 million and
goodwill of $1,224.6 million are now disclosed separately; and
current tax receivable of $24.7 million is disclosed separately
from trade and other receivables.
Within the Consolidated Statement
of Cash Flows, trade and other payables and other non-current
payables have been re-presented to separately disclose the cash
impact of movements in provisions of $9.8 million.
There is no impact on net profit,
net assets, cash flows or any subtotals presented
previously.
2. Revenue and segmental information
The Board considers the Group's
business to be a single segment entity engaged in the development,
manufacture and sale of medical products, services and
technologies. R&D, manufacturing and central support functions
are managed globally for the Group, supporting all categories of
sales. Revenues are managed both on a category and regional basis.
This note presents the performance and activities of the Group as a
single segment.
Pages 4 to 5 of the Chief
Executive's Review provide further detail of category
revenue.
|
During the year ended 31 December
2023, management reassessed its Chief Operating Decision Maker
(CODM) and determined that Convatec's Executive Leadership Team
(CELT) is now the CODM and no longer the Chief Executive Officer.
The CODM is the function that allocates resources and evaluates the
Group's global product portfolios on a revenue basis and evaluates
profitability and associated investment on an enterprise-wide basis
due to shared infrastructures and support functions between the
categories. The financial information provided to CELT for
decision-making purposes is produced on both a category and
geographic basis. Resources are allocated on a Group-wide basis,
with a focus on both category and the key markets but primarily
based on the merits of individual proposals. The change in CODM
does not impact the Group's single segment assessment.
Revenue by category
The Group generates revenue across
four major product categories. The following chart sets out the
Group's revenue for the year ended 31 December by
category:
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
Advanced Wound Care
|
695.3
|
620.7
|
Ostomy Care
|
608.3
|
583.0
|
Continence Care
|
457.2
|
425.4
|
Infusion Care
|
370.9
|
341.1
|
Revenue excluding hospital care exit
|
2,131.7
|
1,970.2
|
Revenue from hospital care exit1
|
10.7
|
102.3
|
Total
|
2,142.4
|
2,072.5
|
1.
Following the exit of hospital care in 2022, effective from 1
January 2023, Flexi-SealTM, our faecal management
system, moved from the Continence & Critical Care category to
the Ostomy Care category. The remaining industrial sales,
predominantly continence-related supplies for B2B customers, moved
from Infusion Care to Continence Care. Continence & Critical
Care has been renamed to Continence Care. The 2022 comparatives
have been re-presented to reflect these changes and to separately
disclose revenue associated with the hospital care exit.
Geographic information
Geographic markets
The following chart sets out the
Group's revenue by geographic market in which third party customers
are located:
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
Europe
|
647.8
|
688.6
|
North America
|
1,186.0
|
1,090.3
|
Rest of World
(RoW)1
|
308.6
|
293.6
|
Total
|
2,142.4
|
2,072.5
|
1. Rest of
World (RoW) comprises all countries in Asia Pacific, Latin America
(including Mexico and the Caribbean), the Middle East (including
Turkey) and Africa.
3. Other operating expenses
Other operating expenses were as
follows:
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
Impairment of intangible
assets
|
-
|
1.4
|
Impairment of property, plant and
equipment and right-of-use assets
|
2.5
|
12.4
|
|
2.5
|
13.8
|
Other operating expenses in the
year consisted of $2.9 million of impairments in respect of
property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets as a result
of the Group's transformation projects, offset by $0.4 million
reversal of property, plant and equipment that was impaired in 2022
from the hospital care exit. The $13.8 million in the year ended 31
December 2022 related to the impairments of property, plant and
equipment and intangible assets arising from the exit from hospital
care and industrial sales-related activities.
4. Finance income and expense
Finance expenses arise from
interest on the Group's borrowings and lease liabilities. Finance
income arises from interest earned on investment of surplus
cash.
|
Finance costs, net for the year
ended 31 December were as follows:
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
Finance
income
|
|
|
Interest income on cash and cash
equivalents
|
5.2
|
5.5
|
Total finance income
|
5.2
|
5.5
|
|
|
|
Finance
expense
|
|
|
Interest expense on
borrowings
|
(75.2)
|
(46.4)
|
Other financing-related
fees1
|
(7.2)
|
(8.2)
|
Interest expense on interest rate
derivatives
|
-
|
(1.4)
|
Interest expense on lease
liabilities
|
(3.5)
|
(3.3)
|
Capitalised
interest2
|
5.4
|
2.0
|
Other finance costs
|
(0.2)
|
(0.3)
|
Total finance expense
|
(80.7)
|
(57.6)
|
|
|
|
Finance costs, net
|
(75.5)
|
(52.1)
|
1. Other
financing-related fees include the amortisation of deferred
financing fees associated with the multicurrency revolving credit
facilities, term loan facilities and senior notes.
2. Capitalised
interest was calculated using the Group's weighted average interest
rate over the year of 5.7% (2022: 3.4%), and will be treated as tax
deductible.
5. Non-operating income/(expense), net
Non-operating income/(expense),
net was as follows:
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
Notes
|
$m
|
$m
|
Net foreign exchange
gain/(loss)1
|
|
3.7
|
(13.5)
|
Realisation of cumulative
translation adjustments
|
|
-
|
(12.2)
|
(Loss)/gain on foreign exchange
forward contracts
|
12
|
(4.3)
|
15.8
|
Gain/(loss) on foreign exchange cash
flow hedges
|
12
|
0.8
|
(16.5)
|
Gain/(loss) on
divestiture2
|
|
3.9
|
(2.0)
|
Other non-operating
income
|
|
0.7
|
0.2
|
Non-operating income/(expense),
net3
|
|
4.8
|
(28.2)
|
1. The foreign
exchange gain in 2023 primarily relate to the foreign exchange
impact on intercompany transactions, including loans transacted in
non-functional currencies. The Group uses foreign exchange forward
contracts to manage these exposures in accordance with the Group's
foreign exchange risk management policy.
2. As part of the
hospital care exit, the UnoMeter™ trademarks were sold during the
year, resulting in a gain of $3.9 million (2022: loss of $2.0
million arose from the sale of a subsidiary as part of the hospital
care exit).
3. Of the total net
non-operating expense, $4.8 million (2022: $1.7 million) relates to
mark-to-market derivatives, the cash flow impact of which has been
shown within the changes in working capital section of the
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
6. Income taxes
The note below sets out the
current and deferred tax charges, which together comprise the total
tax expense in the Consolidated Income Statement.
|
6.1 Taxation
The Group's income tax expense is
the sum of the total current and deferred tax expense.
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
Current tax
|
|
|
Overseas taxation
|
46.1
|
46.8
|
Adjustment to prior years
|
(5.5)
|
(2.0)
|
Total current tax expense
|
40.6
|
44.8
|
Deferred tax
|
|
|
Origination and reversal of
temporary differences
|
2.0
|
(3.7)
|
Change in tax rates
|
1.6
|
(3.2)
|
Adjustment to prior years
|
(4.5)
|
1.2
|
Benefit from previously unrecognised
tax losses
|
(2.6)
|
(20.1)
|
Total deferred tax benefit
|
(3.5)
|
(25.8)
|
Income tax expense
|
37.1
|
19.0
|
The adjustment to prior years
included a net tax benefit of $15.1 million following the
successful resolution of an uncertain tax position.
In 2022, the deferred tax movement
included a benefit of $20.1 million in respect of the recognition
of previously unrecognised tax losses in the US following the
acquisition of Triad Life Sciences Inc.
6.2 Reconciliation of effective tax rate
The effective tax rate for the
year ended 31 December 2023 was 22.2%, as compared with 23.2% for
the year ended 31 December 2022.
Tax
reconciliation to UK statutory rate
The table below reconciles the
Group's profit before income taxes at the UK statutory rate to the
Group's total income tax expense:
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
|
$m
|
|
$m
|
|
Profit before income taxes
|
167.4
|
|
81.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit before income taxes
multiplied by rate of corporation tax in the UK of 23.52% (2022:
19.0%)
|
39.4
|
|
15.6
|
|
Difference between UK and overseas
tax rates1
|
1.6
|
|
3.0
|
|
Non-deductible/non-taxable
items
|
7.2
|
|
14.4
|
|
Change in recognition of deferred
tax assets
|
2.6
|
|
1.0
|
|
Recognition of previously
unrecognised US deferred tax assets
|
(2.6)
|
|
(20.1)
|
|
Movement in provision for uncertain
tax positions
|
(17.5)
|
|
2.5
|
|
Other2
|
6.4
|
|
2.6
|
|
Income tax expense and effective tax rate
|
37.1
|
22.2%
|
19.0
|
23.2%
|
1.
This includes changes in tax rates based on
substantively enacted legislation across various tax jurisdictions
as of 31 December.
2.
Includes tax on unremitted earnings and prior year
adjustments.
The Group has worldwide operations
and therefore is subject to several factors that may affect future
tax charges, principally the levels and mix of profitability in
different tax jurisdictions, transfer pricing regulations, tax
rates imposed and tax regime reforms. The calculation of the
Group's tax expense involves a degree of estimation and judgements
in respect of certain items for which the tax treatment cannot be
finally determined until resolution has been reached with the
relevant tax authority, specifically in relation
to open tax and transfer pricing matters. Due to the high volume of
intercompany transactions, the Group's evolving business model and
the increasing complexity in interaction between multiple tax laws
and regulations, transfer pricing requires judgement in determining
the appropriate allocation of profits between jurisdictions. The
Group assessed the impact of ongoing changes to the Group's
operating model, the supporting documentation for the tax and
transfer pricing positions, existing tax authority challenges, and
the likelihood of new challenges by tax
authorities.
The Group continues to believe it
has made adequate provision for uncertain tax positions on open
issues in accordance with IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax
Treatments. The ultimate liability for such matters may vary from
the amounts provided and is dependent upon the outcome of
discussions with relevant tax authorities or, where applicable,
appeal proceedings. The movement includes resolutions of uncertain
tax positions in the year.
The Group is monitoring tax
reforms driven by the OECD's BEPS Pillar One and Pillar Two to
reform international taxation rules. The Group has assessed the
potential tax impact based on OECD model rules and draft and
substantively enacted legislation in jurisdictions in which the
Group operates and expects the tax impact to not be material in the
foreseeable future. The United Kingdom enacted Pillar Two rules in
the UK Finance (No.2) Act 2023 in 2023. This has no impact on the
Group's results for the year ended 31 December 2023. The Group has
applied the temporary exception as detailed in the IASB
announcement "International Tax Reform - Pillar Two Model Rules",
which amended IAS 12 Income Taxes, and therefore has not recognised
nor disclosed information about deferred tax assets and liabilities
related to Pillar Two income taxes.
7. Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is
calculated based on the Group's net profit for the year
attributable to shareholders divided by the weighted average number
of ordinary shares in issue during the year. The weighted average
number of shares is net of shares purchased by the Group and held
as own shares.
Diluted earnings per share take
into account the dilutive effect of all outstanding share options
priced below the market price in arriving at the number of shares
used in its calculation.
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
Net profit attributable to the
shareholders of the Group ($m)
|
130.3
|
62.9
|
|
Basic weighted average ordinary
shares in issue (number)
|
2,038,653,228
|
2,023,839,657
|
|
Dilutive impact of share awards
(number)
|
13,936,032
|
16,407,811
|
|
Diluted weighted average ordinary
shares in issue (number)
|
2,052,589,260
|
2,040,247,468
|
|
Basic earnings per share (cents per
share)
|
6.4¢ per
share
|
3.1¢ per
share
|
|
Diluted earnings per share (cents
per share)
|
6.3¢ per
share
|
3.1¢ per
share
|
|
The calculation of diluted
earnings per share does not contain any share options that were
non-dilutive for the year (2022: 404,241), because the average
market price of the Group's ordinary shares exceeded the exercise
price (2022: the exercise price exceeded the average market price
of the Group's ordinary shares).
8. Dividends
Dividends paid and proposed were
as follows:
|
Pence per
share
|
Cents per
share
|
Total
|
Settled in
cash
|
Settled via
scrip
|
No of scrip shares
issued
|
|
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
|
Final dividend 2021
|
3.161
|
4.154
|
77.8
|
58.9
|
18.9
|
7,192,010
|
Interim dividend 2022
|
1.410
|
1.717
|
34.8
|
29.2
|
5.6
|
2,107,103
|
Paid in 2022
|
4.571
|
5.871
|
112.6
|
88.1
|
24.5
|
9,299,113
|
Final dividend 2022
|
3.657
|
4.330
|
92.4
|
87.7
|
4.7
|
1,717,549
|
Interim dividend 2023
|
1.380
|
1.769
|
34.4
|
23.0
|
11.4
|
4,199,962
|
Paid in 2023
|
5.037
|
6.099
|
126.8
|
110.7
|
16.1
|
5,917,511
|
Final dividend 2023
proposed
|
3.517
|
4.460
|
91.4
|
|
|
|
The Company previously operated a
scrip dividend scheme, allowing shareholders to elect to receive
their dividend in the form of new fully paid ordinary shares.
During 2023, the Board took the decision to terminate the scrip
dividend option.
The final dividend proposed for
2023, to be distributed on 23 May 2024 to shareholders on the
register at the close of business on 26 April 2024, is based upon
the issued and fully paid share capital as at 31 December 2023 and
is subject to shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting on
16 May 2024. The dividend will be declared in US dollars and will
be paid in Sterling at the chosen exchange rate of $1.268/£1.00
determined on 5 March 2024.
The interim and final dividends
for 2023 give a total dividend for the year of 6.229 cents per
share (2022: 6.047 cents per share).
9. Investment in financial assets
The investment is in relation to
the Group's investment in BlueWind Medical Limited in 2022 and the
Group considers this investment to be strategic in nature and it is
not held for trading.
The Group made an irrevocable
election on initial recognition to designate the investment at fair
value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI). It was initially
recorded at fair value plus transaction costs and will be
remeasured at subsequent reporting dates to fair value. The fair
value of the investment at 31 December 2023 was $22.9 million (31
December 2022: $30.7 million), with the movement of $7.8 million
taken to the Statement of Other Comprehensive Income, within the
'Fair value movement on equity investments' line. No dividends were
recognised during the period.
In line with IFRS 13 Fair Value
Measurement, this investment has been classified as Level 3 in the
fair value hierarchy as its measurement is derived from significant
unobservable inputs by reference to available information,
including the current market value of similar instruments, recent
financing rounds and discounted cash flows of the underlying net
assets.
The fair value of the investment
has been determined by using an average of three valuation
methodologies, those being the precedent transaction method, the
income approach method and the probability-weighted expected return
model. The table below summarises the various methodologies used by
the Group to fair value the investment, the inputs and the
sensitivities applied.
10. Acquisitions
During the year to 31 December
2023, the Group completed the acquisitions of:
(1) Starlight Science
Limited (Starlight), a pre-commercial UK-based company.
(2) A Better Choice
Medical Supply LLC (ABCMS), a US-based
intermittent catheter provider.
(3) All American
Medical Supply Corp (AAMS), a New York home supplier of urinary
catheters and compression stockings.
This note provides details of the
transactions and the acquisition accounting that has been recorded
to reflect the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities
assumed as well as the intangible assets and goodwill recognised
upon acquisition. This note also provides details of any fair value
changes identified post-acquisition in respect of previous
acquisitions that the Group has completed.
|
Starlight Science Limited (Starlight)
On 18 April 2023, the Group
completed its acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Starlight
Science Limited (Starlight), a UK-based company owned by 30
Technology Limited. The acquisition of Starlight included the
anti-infective nitric-oxide technology platform and new product
pipeline, which complements the Group's Advanced Wound Care
portfolio and strengthens the Group's ability to provide
best-in-class solutions for patients.
In addition to the initial
consideration of $56.7 million (£45.3 million), the sellers may
earn contingent consideration up to a maximum of $163.9 million
(£131.0 million), in the form of (i) milestone payment of $58.8
million (£47.0 million) due upon regulatory clearances in the US
and Europe; and (ii) earnout payments based on sales of products
over the lifetime of the acquired patents, with the maximum earnout
capped at $105.1 million (£84.0 million).
The provisional discounted fair
value of the contingent consideration at the date of acquisition
was $66.7 million, discounted at 19.1%. Following completion of
acquisition accounting, any changes in the fair value of the
contingent consideration will be recorded in the Consolidated
Income Statement in accordance with the Group's accounting
policies.
A
Better Choice Medical Supply LLC (ABCMS)
On 5 July 2023, the Group
completed its acquisition of 100% of the share capital of A Better
Choice Medical Supply LLC (ABCMS), a US-based intermittent catheter
provider, to further strengthen the Group's Home Service Group. The
company was founded in 2008 and is based out of White Lake,
Michigan. The consideration for the acquisition was $26.6 million
which included $3.0 million of deferred consideration paid into
escrow. There is no earn out associated with this
acquisition.
All American Medical Supply Corp (AAMS)
On 4 October 2023, the Group
completed its acquisition of 100% of the share capital of All
American Medical Supply Corp (AAMS), New York-focused home supplier
of urinary catheters and compression stockings, to further
strengthen the Group's Home Service Group. The company was founded
in 2009 and is based out of Long Island, New York. The
consideration for the acquisition was $1.5 million which included
$0.3 million of deferred consideration paid into escrow. There is
no earn out associated with this acquisition.
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Each of the transactions meet the
definition of a business combination and have been accounted for
under the acquisition method of accounting. The following table
summarises the provisional fair values of the assets acquired and
liabilities assumed as at the acquisition dates:
|
Starlight
|
ABCMS
|
All
American
|
Total
|
|
Provisional
|
Provisional
|
Provisional
|
Provisional
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
Non-current assets
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant &
equipment
|
0.4
|
-
|
-
|
0.4
|
Right-of-use assets
|
1.3
|
0.3
|
-
|
1.6
|
Intangible assets
|
112.5
|
4.3
|
-
|
116.8
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
-
|
Trade and other
receivables
|
0.1
|
0.6
|
0.1
|
0.8
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
-
|
0.2
|
-
|
0.2
|
Total assets acquired
|
114.3
|
5.4
|
0.1
|
119.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and other payables
|
(0.1)
|
(0.2)
|
-
|
(0.3)
|
Lease liabilities
|
(0.2)
|
-
|
-
|
(0.2)
|
Non-current liabilities
|
|
|
|
-
|
Lease liabilities
|
(1.1)
|
(0.3)
|
-
|
(1.4)
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
(12.5)
|
-
|
-
|
(12.5)
|
Total liabilities assumed
|
(13.9)
|
(0.5)
|
-
|
(14.4)
|
Net assets acquired
|
100.4
|
4.9
|
0.1
|
105.4
|
Goodwill
|
23.0
|
21.5
|
1.4
|
45.9
|
Total
|
123.4
|
26.4
|
1.5
|
151.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
Initial cash
consideration
|
56.7
|
23.5
|
1.2
|
81.4
|
Deferred purchase consideration paid
into escrow1
|
-
|
3.0
|
0.3
|
3.3
|
Working capital
adjustment2
|
-
|
(0.1)
|
-
|
(0.1)
|
Contingent
consideration
|
66.7
|
-
|
-
|
66.7
|
Total consideration
|
123.4
|
26.4
|
1.5
|
151.3
|
Analysis of cash outflow in the Consolidated Statement of
Cash Flows
|
Starlight
|
ABCMS
|
All
American
|
Total
|
|
Provisional
|
Provisional
|
Provisional
|
Provisional
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
Initial cash
consideration
|
56.7
|
23.5
|
1.2
|
81.4
|
Deferred purchase consideration paid
into escrow1
|
-
|
3.0
|
0.3
|
3.3
|
Working capital
adjustment2
|
-
|
(0.1)
|
-
|
(0.1)
|
Cash and cash equivalents
acquired
|
-
|
(0.2)
|
-
|
(0.2)
|
Net cash outflow from acquisitions, net of cash
acquired
|
56.7
|
26.2
|
1.5
|
84.4
|
1. $3.0 million for the
acquisition of ABCMS and $0.3 million for the acquisition of All
American was paid on closing into escrow as security and indemnity
by the sellers for their obligations under the Merger
Agreements. The escrow amounts are
expected to be released within 2 years of the respective
acquisition dates, subject to terms specified in the Merger
Agreements.
2. This is the Group's
calculation of the working capital adjustment and forms part of the
initial consideration. The final amount was determined in
accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement and was finalised
and paid by the reporting date.
The fair values of the assets
acquired and liabilities assumed are provisional at 31 December
2023. The Group will finalise these amounts as it obtains the
information necessary to complete the measurement process. Any
changes resulting from facts and circumstances that existed as of
the acquisition dates may result in retrospective adjustments to
the provisional amounts recognised at the acquisition date. The
Group will finalise these amounts no later than one year from the
acquisition dates.
The provisional fair value of
trade and other receivables amounted to $0.8 million, with a gross
contractual amount of $0.9 million. At the acquisition date, the
Group's best estimate of the contractual cash flows expected not be
collected amounted to $0.1 million.
The goodwill recorded, which is
not deductible for tax purposes, represents the cost savings,
operating synergies and future growth opportunities expected to
result from combining the operations of the acquisitions with those
of the Group.
The Starlight acquisition is
included in the Advanced Wound Care CGU group, whilst ABCMS and
AAMS are included in the Continence Care CGU group.
Acquisition-related costs
The Group incurred $6.2 million of
acquisition-related costs directly related
to the acquisitions completed or aborted in the year ended 31
December 2023, primarily in respect of legal and advisers' fees.
The acquisition-related costs have been recognised in general and
administrative expenses in the Consolidated Income
Statement.
Revenue and profit
As Starlight is in a
pre-commercial state, there is no revenue to date. The loss for the
period from the acquisition date to 31 December 2023 was $2.5
million, before recognising acquisition-related intangible asset
amortisation charges of $6.0 million. If the acquisition had been
completed at 1 January 2023, reported Group revenue would have
remained unchanged and the Group profit for the period would have
been $0.6 million lower for the year ended 31 December 2023, before
recognising acquisition-related intangible asset amortisation
additional charges of $6.0 million.
The revenue of ABCMS for the
period from the acquisition date to 31 December 2023 was $3.5
million and net profit for the period was $1.6 million, before
recognising acquisition-related intangible asset amortisation
charges of $0.7 million. If the acquisition had been completed on 1
January 2023, reported Group revenue would have been $4.3 million
higher and Group profit for the year would have been $0.8 million
higher, before recognising acquisition-related intangible asset
amortisation charges of $0.7 million.
The revenue of AAMS for the period
from the acquisition date to 31 December 2023 was $0.9 million and
net profit for the period was $0.4 million. No intangible assets
were identified during the purchase price allocation therefore
there is no acquisition-related intangible asset amortisation
charge. If the acquisition had been completed at 1 January 2023,
reported Group revenue would have been $0.7 million higher and net
profit would have remained unchanged.
Fair value of contingent consideration at reporting
date
Contingent consideration arising
on business combinations is classified as a recurring fair value
measurement within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, in line
with IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurements. Key unobservable inputs in
respect of the Group's acquisitions include actual results,
management forecasts and an appropriate discount rate.
As at 31 December 2023, the
discounted fair value of the contingent consideration payable in
respect of the Group's acquisitions was $138.0 million (2022:
$140.0 million).
Management has determined that the
potential range of undiscounted outcomes at 31 December 2023 is
between $52.4 million and $265.4 million, from a maximum
undiscounted amount of $354.2 million.
The table below shows an
indicative basis of the sensitivity to the income statement and
balance sheet at 31 December 2023.
|
Sales
forecast
|
|
Discount
rate
|
5%
|
10%
|
-5%
|
-10%
|
|
1%
|
2%
|
-1%
|
-2%
|
Increase/(decrease) in financial
liability and loss/(gain) in income statement
|
8.3
|
16.9
|
(8.3)
|
(16.5)
|
|
(2.3)
|
(4.4)
|
2.4
|
5.0
|
11. Borrowings
The Group's sources of borrowing
for funding and liquidity purposes derive from senior notes and
credit facilities including a committed revolving credit
facility.
|
The Group's borrowings as at 31
December were as follows:
|
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
|
Year of
|
Face value
|
Face
value
|
|
Currency
|
maturity
|
$m
|
$m
|
Revolving Credit
Facility1
|
USD/Euro
|
2028
|
490.6
|
477.2
|
Term Loan
|
USD
|
2027
|
250.0
|
250.0
|
Senior Notes
|
USD
|
2029
|
500.0
|
500.0
|
Interest-bearing borrowings
|
|
|
1,240.6
|
1,227.2
|
Financing
fees2
|
|
|
(13.7)
|
(15.3)
|
Total carrying value of borrowings
|
|
|
1,226.9
|
1,211.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current portion of borrowings
|
|
|
-
|
-
|
Non-current portion of borrowings
|
|
|
1,226.9
|
1,211.9
|
1. Included within
the Revolving Credit Facility was €100.0 million ($110.4 million)
and £8.0 million ($8.2 million) at 31 December 2023 (2022: €145.0
million ($155.2 million)), representing 22.5% of RCF debt
denominated in Euros, 2.1% of RCF debt denominated in GBP and 75.4%
denominated in US dollars.
2. Financing fees
of $13.7 million (2022: $15.3 million) related to the remaining
unamortised fees incurred on the credit facilities of $7.8 million
(2022: $8.4 million) and on the senior notes of $5.9 million (2022:
$6.9 million).
Credit facilities
The credit facilities held by the
Group are committed and available for the refinancing of certain
existing financial indebtedness and general corporate purposes. The
Group's bank credit facility of $1.2 billion, which was refinanced
in November 2022, comprises of a $250.0 million term loan and a
$950.0 million multicurrency revolving credit facility. As at 31
December 2023, the term loan was fully drawn and $490.6 million of
the revolving credit facility was drawn, with $459.4 million
undrawn. During the year, the Group extended the term of its
multicurrency revolving credit facility by an additional year and
this is now committed to November 2028 (originally committed for a
five-year term to November 2027). Transaction costs directly
attributable to the extension have been capitalised and are
amortised over the term of the facility using the effective
interest rate method. The term loan remains committed for a
five-year term to November 2027.
Senior notes
Unsecured senior notes of $500.0
million are subject to an interest cover financial covenant as
defined in the indentures which is a minimum of 2.0 times, with
testing required annually at 31 December on the last 12 calendar
months' financial performance.
Financial covenants
The principal financial covenants
are based on a permitted net debt to covenant-adjusted
EBITDA1 ratio and interest cover test as defined in the
credit facilities agreement. Testing is required on a semi-annual
basis, at June and December, based on the last 12 months' financial
performance. At 31 December 2023, the permitted net debt to
covenant-adjusted EBITDA1 ratio was a maximum of 3.50
times and the interest cover a minimum of 3.50 times, terms as
defined by the credit facilities agreement. In accordance with the
credit facilities agreement, the net debt to covenant-adjusted
EBITDA1 ratio can increase to a maximum 4.00 times for
permitted acquisitions or investments.
The Group was in compliance with
all financial and non-financial covenants at 31 December 2023, with
significant available headroom on the financial covenants (in
excess of $603.3 million debt headroom on net debt to
covenant-adjusted EBITDA1[2]).
Excluding the impact of interest
rate swaps, the weighted average interest rate on borrowings for
the year ended 31 December 2023 was 5.7% (2022: 3.4%). The increase
in the weighted average interest rate was due to rising underlying
reference base rates on debt with floating rates.
Borrowings measured at fair value
The senior notes are listed and
their fair value at 31 December 2023 of $450.1 million (2022:
$430.8 million) has been obtained from quoted market data and
therefore categorised as a Level 1 measurement in the fair value
hierarchy under IFRS 13, Fair
Value Measurements. For the Group's other borrowings, the
fair value is based on discounted cash flows using a current
borrowing rate and is categorised as a Level 2 measurement. At 31
December 2023, the estimated fair value of the Group's other
borrowings was $774.9 million (2022: $762.4 million).
12. Financial instruments
A derivative financial instrument
is a contract that derives its value from the performance of an
underlying variable, such as foreign exchange rates or interest
rates. The Group uses derivative financial instruments to manage
foreign exchange and interest rate risk arising from its operations
and financing. Derivative financial instruments used by the Group
are foreign exchange forwards and interest rate swaps.
The Group utilises interest rate
swap agreements, designated as cash flow hedges, to manage its
exposure to variability in expected future cash outflows
attributable to the changes in interest rates on the Group's
committed borrowing facilities.
|
The Group holds interest rate swap
agreements to fix a proportion of variable interest on US dollar
and EURO denominated debt, in accordance with the Group's risk
management policy. The interest rate swaps are designated as
hedging instruments in a cash flow hedging relationship.
In accordance with Group policy,
the Group uses forward foreign exchange contracts, designated as
cash flow hedges, to hedge certain forecast third-party foreign
currency transactions. When a commitment is entered into a layered
approach is taken when hedging the currency exposure, ensuring that
no more than 100% of the transaction exposure is covered. The
currencies hedged by forward foreign exchange contracts are US
dollars, Swiss francs, Pound sterling, Danish krone and Japanese
yen.
The Group further utilises foreign
exchange contracts and swaps classified as FVTPL to manage
short-term foreign exchange exposure.
Cash flow hedges
The fair values are based on
market values of equivalent instruments at 31 December. The
following table presents the Group's outstanding interest rate
swaps, which were designated as cash flow hedges at 31
December:
|
|
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
Currency
|
Effective
date
|
Maturity
date
|
Notional
amount
|
Fair
value1
assets/
(liabilities)
|
Notional
amount
|
Fair
value1
assets/
(liabilities)
|
|
|
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
3 Month LIBOR Float to Fixed
Interest Rate Swap
|
USD
|
24 Jan
2020
|
24 Jan
2023
|
-
|
-
|
275.0
|
2.0
|
6 Month term SOFR Float to Fixed
Interest Rate Swap
|
USD
|
23 Jan
2023
|
23 Jan
2024
|
90.0
|
0.4
|
90.0
|
0.2
|
6 Month term SOFR Float to Fixed
Interest Rate Swap
|
USD
|
23 Jan
2023
|
23 Jul
2024
|
40.0
|
0.1
|
40.0
|
-
|
6 Month term SOFR Float to Fixed
Interest Rate Swap
|
USD
|
23 Jan
2023
|
23 Jan
2025
|
50.0
|
0.2
|
50.0
|
(0.3)
|
6 Month term SOFR Float to Fixed
Interest Rate Swap
|
USD
|
3 Aug
2023
|
3 Aug
2024
|
50.0
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6 Month term SOFR Float to Fixed
Interest Rate Swap
|
USD
|
3 Aug
2023
|
3 Feb
2025
|
50.0
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6 Month term SOFR Float to Fixed
Interest Rate Swap
|
USD
|
3 Aug
2023
|
4 Aug
2025
|
50.0
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6 Month term EURIBOR Float to Fixed
Interest Rate Swap
|
EUR
|
29 Sep
2023
|
29 Sep
2024
|
55.2
|
(0.2)
|
-
|
-
|
6 Month term SOFR Float to Fixed
Interest Rate Swap
|
USD
|
29 Sep
2023
|
29 Sep
2025
|
40.0
|
(0.5)
|
-
|
-
|
1. The
fair values of the interest rate swaps were disclosed in
non-current derivative financial liabilities, current derivative
financial liabilities and current derivative assets in the
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. There was no
ineffectiveness recognised in the Consolidated Income
Statement.
Foreign exchange forward contracts
The following table presents the
Group's outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts valued at
FVTPL and foreign currency forward contracts designated as cash
flow hedges, disclosed in current derivative financial assets and
liabilities, at 31 December:
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
Term
|
Notional
amount
|
Fair value assets/
(liabilities)
|
|
Notional
amount
|
Fair
value assets/ (liabilities)
|
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
Foreign exchange
contracts
|
≤ 3
months
|
453.0
|
8.0
|
|
996.6
|
21.3
|
Foreign currency forward exchange
contracts designated as cash flow hedges
|
≤ 12
months
|
195.9
|
4.4
|
|
72.7
|
3.1
|
Derivative financial assets
|
|
648.9
|
12.4
|
|
1,069.3
|
24.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign exchange
contracts
|
≤ 3
months
|
760.7
|
(15.2)
|
|
703.7
|
(30.2)
|
Foreign currency forward exchange
contracts designated as cash flow hedges
|
≤ 12
months
|
53.3
|
(1.3)
|
|
132.8
|
(2.3)
|
Derivative financial liabilities
|
|
814.0
|
(16.5)
|
|
836.5
|
(32.5)
|
During the year ended 31 December
2023, the Group realised a net loss of $4.3 million (2022: $15.8
million gain) on foreign exchange forward contracts designated as
FVTPL in Note 5 - Non-operating income/(expenses), net in the
Consolidated Income Statement.
Impact of hedging on other comprehensive
income
The following table presents the
impact of hedging on other comprehensive income:
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
Recognised in other comprehensive
income:
|
|
|
|
Effective portion of changes in fair
value of cash flow hedges:
|
|
|
|
Interest rate swaps
|
|
(1.3)
|
3.3
|
Foreign currency forward exchange
contracts designated as cash flow hedges
|
|
2.0
|
(11.0)
|
Changes in fair value of cash flow
hedges reclassified to the Consolidated Income Statement
|
|
(0.8)
|
16.5
|
Cost of hedging
|
|
(0.5)
|
(1.1)
|
Total
|
|
(0.6)
|
7.7
|
13. Provisions
A provision is an obligation
recognised when there is uncertainty over the timing or amount that
will be paid. Provisions recognised by the Group are primarily in
respect of restructuring, decommissioning, dilapidations, legal
liabilities and contingent consideration. The contingent
consideration provision recognised by the Group is in respect of
acquisitions and includes amounts contingent on future events such
as development milestones and sales performance.
|
The movements in provisions are as
follows:
|
Dilapidations
|
Restructuring
|
Legal
|
Contingent
consideration
|
Total
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
$m
|
1
January 2023
|
2.8
|
10.3
|
0.2
|
140.0
|
153.3
|
Contingent consideration from
acquisitions
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
66.7
|
66.7
|
Charged to income
statement
|
1.0
|
13.9
|
0.4
|
-
|
15.3
|
Fair value movement of contingent
consideration
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
24.6
|
24.6
|
Released to income
statement
|
-
|
(2.2)
|
-
|
-
|
(2.2)
|
Utilised
|
(1.3)
|
(8.3)
|
-
|
(94.7)
|
(104.3)
|
Foreign exchange
|
(0.1)
|
0.3
|
-
|
1.4
|
1.6
|
31
December 2023
|
2.4
|
14.0
|
0.6
|
138.0
|
155.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
|
|
83.7
|
Non-current
|
|
|
|
|
71.3
|
The expected payment profile of the
discounted provisions at 31 December was as follows:
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
$m
|
$m
|
Within 1 year
|
83.7
|
100.2
|
2 to 5 years
|
58.8
|
53.1
|
More than 5 years
|
12.5
|
-
|
Total
|
155.0
|
153.3
|
Dilapidation provisions
Dilapidation provisions are in
respect of contractual obligations, on the expiry of a lease, to
return leased properties in the condition which is specified in the
individual leases.
Restructuring provisions
Restructuring provisions are in
respect of the Group's strategic transformation activities. All
restructuring provisions are supported by detailed plans and a
valid expectation has been raised in those affected as required by
the Group's accounting policy.
Legal provision
The legal provision of $0.6
million is in respect of ongoing cases. Legal issues are often
subject to uncertainties over the timing and the final amounts of
any settlement.
Contingent consideration
As at 31 December 2023, the
discounted fair value of the contingent consideration payable in
respect of the Group's acquisitions was $138.0 million. During the
year, contingent consideration of $66.7 million was recognised in
respect of the Starlight acquisition and payments of $94.7 million
were made in respect of the Triad Life Sciences acquisition ($73.0
million recognised within cash flows from investing activities and
$21.7 million recognised within cash flows from operating
activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows). The net
charge to the income statement in respect of changes in the fair
value of contingent consideration (based on the best estimates of
the amounts payable as at 31 December 2023) was $24.6 million. In
addition, there was a foreign exchange movement of $1.4 million
from the re-translation of non-USD denominated balances.
Refer to Note 10 - Acquisitions
for further details.
14. Commitments and contingencies
Capital commitments
At 31 December 2023, the Group had
non-cancellable commitments for the purchase of property, plant and
equipment, capitalised software and development of $22.3 million
(2022: $39.3 million).
Contingent liabilities
Other than disclosed elsewhere in
these financial statements, there were no contingent liabilities
recognised as at 31 December 2023 and 31 December 2022.
15.
Subsequent events
The Group has evaluated subsequent
events through to 5 March 2024, the date the Consolidated Financial
Statements were approved by the Board of Directors.
On 5 March 2024, the Board
proposed the final dividend in respect of 2023 subject to
shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting on 16 May 2024,
to be distributed on 23 May 2024. See Note 8- Dividends to the
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further
details.
16.
Responsibility statement of the directors on the Annual
Report
The Responsibility Statement below
has been prepared in connection with the 2023 Annual Report.
Certain parts thereof are not included within this
announcement.
We confirm to the best of our
knowledge:
· The
Financial Statements, prepared in accordance with United Kingdom
adopted international accounting standards which have been prepared
in accordance with United Kingdom adopted international accounting
standards and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as
issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), give
a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position
and profit and loss of the Company and the undertakings included in
the consolidation taken as a whole;
· The
Strategic Report includes a fair review of the development and
performance of the business and the position of the Company and the
undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole,
together with a description of the principal risks and
uncertainties they face; and
· The
Annual Report and Financial Statements, taken as a whole, are fair,
balanced and understandable and provide the information necessary
to assess the Group's and Company's performance, business model and
strategy.
This Responsibility Statement was
approved by the Board of Directors on 5 March 2024 and is signed on
its behalf by:
Karim Bitar
Jonny Mason
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
5
March 2024
5 March
2024