Royal Philips NV’s split with its lighting division will probably involve selling shares in the unit as the Dutch manufacturer shifts focus to health technology. In a recent statement outlining the agenda for its annual shareholders meeting scheduled for 7 May, the company said: “It is the current intention to effectuate the separation of the lighting business through an initial public offering,” though other options for the division are still being reviewed, including a private sale. The separation of the division, the world’s biggest maker of lamps and light bulbs, mirrors Munich-based Siemens AG’s move in mid-2013 to spin off Osram Licht AG as an industry-wide shift toward more-efficient light-emitting diodes adds to competition. Since its debut on the Frankfurt exchange, Osram’s stock has surged more than 72%, even as the manufacturer has struggled with cheaper LEDs from competitors. The total value of Philips and the businesses it is selling off may reach about EUR 25.5 billion (USD 28.9 billion), according to the average estimate of five analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. That figure follows an estimated EUR 8.5 billion reduction stemming from restructuring and other costs, net debt and the value of the company’s innovation, groups and services support unit.
