Alcon Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Results
February 28, 2023- Fourth quarter 2022 sales of $2.2 billion, up 1%, or 7% constant currency(1) (cc)
- Full year 2022 sales of $8.7 billion, up 5%, or up 11% cc
- Full year 2022 diluted EPS of $0.68, down 11%, or up 37% cc; core diluted EPS(2) of $2.24 up 4%, or 23% cc
- 2023 outlook reflects mid-to-high single digit sales growth, continued margin expansion and high teens earnings growth
Ad Hoc Announcement Pursuant to Art. 53 LR
GENEVA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Alcon (SIX/NYSE:ALC), the global leader in eye care, reported its financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022. For the fourth quarter of 2022, sales were $2.2 billion, an increase of 1% on a reported basis and 7% on a constant currency basis(1), as compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Alcon reported a loss per share of $0.20 and core diluted earnings per share(2) of $0.42 in the fourth quarter of 2022.
David J. Endicott, Alcon’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “The Alcon team delivered a strong 2022 despite a consistently challenging macroeconomic environment, including inflationary pressure, supply chain headwinds and a strong US dollar. Alcon’s performance is a testament to the resilience of our markets and the underlying strength of our business as we continue to drive growth and earnings while operating more efficiently.”
Mr. Endicott continued, “As we look to 2023, we will continue to focus on accelerating innovation, commercial execution and ultimately delivering sales and earnings growth to create long-term shareholder value.”
Fourth quarter and full year 2022 key figures
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Three months ended |
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Twelve months ended |
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2022 |
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2021 |
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2022 |
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2021 |
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Net sales ($ millions) |
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2,155 |
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2,134 |
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8,654 |
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8,222 |
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Operating margin (%) |
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1.0% |
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8.5% |
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7.8% |
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7.1% |
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Core operating margin (%)(2) |
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16.4% |
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16.3% |
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18.2% |
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17.6% |
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Diluted (loss)/earnings per share ($) |
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(0.20) |
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0.28 |
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0.68 |
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0.76 |
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Core diluted earnings per share ($)(2) |
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0.42 |
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0.56 |
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2.24 |
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2.15 |
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(1) |
Constant currency is a non-IFRS measure. Refer to the ‘Footnotes’ section for additional information. |
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(2) |
Core results, such as core operating margin and core diluted EPS, are non-IFRS measures. Refer to the ‘Footnotes’ section for additional information. |
Fourth quarter and full year 2022 results
Sales for the fourth quarter of 2022 were $2.2 billion, an increase of 1% on a reported basis and 7% on a constant currency basis, compared to the fourth quarter of 2021. Sales for the full year 2022 were $8.7 billion, an increase of 5% on a reported basis and 11% on a constant currency basis, compared to the full year 2021.
The following table highlights net sales by segment for the fourth quarter and full year 2022:
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Three months ended |
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Change % |
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Twelve months ended |
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Change % |
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($ millions unless indicated otherwise) |
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2022 |
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2021 |
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$ |
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cc(1) |
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2022 |
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2021 |
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$ |
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cc(1) |
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Surgical |
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Implantables |
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434 |
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416 |
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4 |
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11 |
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1,725 |
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1,522 |
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13 |
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20 |
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Consumables |
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636 |
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639 |
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— |
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6 |
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2,499 |
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2,388 |
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5 |
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10 |
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Equipment/other |
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204 |
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204 |
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— |
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7 |
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821 |
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793 |
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4 |
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10 |
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Total Surgical |
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1,274 |
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1,259 |
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1 |
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8 |
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5,045 |
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4,703 |
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7 |
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13 |
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Vision Care |
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Contact lenses |
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530 |
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533 |
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(1 |
) |
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6 |
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2,192 |
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2,139 |
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2 |
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9 |
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Ocular health |
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351 |
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342 |
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3 |
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8 |
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1,417 |
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1,380 |
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3 |
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7 |
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Total Vision Care |
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881 |
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875 |
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|
1 |
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|
7 |
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3,609 |
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3,519 |
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|
3 |
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|
8 |
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Net sales to third parties |
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2,155 |
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2,134 |
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|
1 |
|
|
7 |
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8,654 |
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8,222 |
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|
5 |
|
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11 |
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Surgical driven by international markets and solid demand for cataract products
For the fourth quarter of 2022, Surgical net sales, which include implantables, consumables and equipment/other, were $1.3 billion, an increase of 1% on a reported basis and 8% on a constant currency basis versus the fourth quarter of 2021.
- Implantables net sales of $434 million increased 4%, reflecting improving market conditions in most international markets, increased demand for our portfolio of advanced technology intraocular lenses, led by Vivity, and sales of the Hydrus Microstent. Implantables growth was partially offset by declines in South Korea, as well as unfavorable currency impacts of 7%. Implantables net sales increased 11% in constant currency.
- Consumables net sales were $636 million, in line with the prior year period, reflecting improving market conditions in most international markets, offset by unfavorable currency impacts of 6%. Consumables net sales increased 6% in constant currency.
- Equipment/other net sales were $204 million, in line with the prior year period, as increased demand in international markets for cataract equipment and service was offset by declines in refractive equipment and unfavorable currency impacts of 7%. Equipment/other net sales increased 7% in constant currency.
For the full year 2022, Surgical net sales increased 7%, or 13% on a constant currency basis, versus the full year 2021.
Vision Care benefited from silicone hydrogel contact lenses and eye drops, offset by significant supply chain challenges in contact lens care
For the fourth quarter of 2022, Vision Care net sales, which include contact lenses and ocular health, were $0.9 billion, an increase of 1% on a reported basis and 7% on a constant currency basis, versus the fourth quarter of 2021.
- Net sales of contact lenses were $530 million, a decrease of 1%, as strong sales in the United States and slower international growth were more than offset by unfavorable currency impacts of 7%. Sales were led by silicone hydrogel contact lenses, including the Precision1 and Total families of products, partially offset by declines in legacy lenses. Net sales of contact lenses increased 6% in constant currency.
- Ocular health net sales were $351 million, an increase of 3%, primarily driven by the portfolio of eye drops, including recently acquired ophthalmic pharmaceutical products and Systane. This growth was significantly offset by unfavorable currency impacts of 5% and supply chain challenges, primarily in contact lens care. Ocular health net sales increased 8% in constant currency.
For the full year 2022, Vision Care net sales increased 3%, or 8% on a constant currency basis, as compared to the full year 2021.
Operating income
Fourth quarter 2022 operating income was $21 million and operating margin was 1.0%. Operating margin decreased 7.5 percentage points, including a negative 3.1 percentage point impact from currency.
The current year period operating margin was impacted by legal settlement costs, increased transformation costs, increased inflationary impacts, acquisition and integration related expenses and increased investment in research and development, primarily following the acquisition of Aerie. This was partially offset by improved underlying operating leverage from higher sales and favorability from incentive compensation. Operating margin decreased 4.4 percentage points on a constant currency basis.
Adjustments to arrive at core operating income(2) in the current year period were $332 million, mainly due to $151 million of amortization and $78 million of transformation costs. Excluding these and other adjustments, fourth quarter 2022 core operating income was $353 million.
Fourth quarter 2022 core operating margin of 16.4% increased 0.1 percentage points, reflecting improved underlying operating leverage from higher sales and favorability from incentive compensation. This was offset by increased inflationary impacts, increased investment in research and development, primarily following the acquisition of Aerie and a negative 2.3 percentage point impact from currency. Core operating margin increased 2.4 percentage points on a constant currency basis.
Operating income for the full year 2022 was $672 million and operating margin was 7.8%. Adjustments to arrive at core operating income for the full year 2022 were $899 million, mainly due to $588 million of amortization and $119 million of transformation costs. Excluding these and other adjustments, core operating income for the full year 2022 was $1.6 billion and core operating margin was 18.2%.
Diluted losses/earnings per share (EPS)
Fourth quarter 2022 loss per share was $0.20 compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.28 in the prior year period. The loss in the current year period was driven by the recognition of tax expense for an Advance Pricing Agreement between Swiss and US tax authorities related to fiscal years 2019 through 2022, lower operating income due to legal settlement costs, increased transformation costs and acquisition and integration related costs and higher interest expense. Core diluted earnings per share of $0.42 decreased 25%, or 4% on a constant currency basis.
Diluted earnings per share for the full year 2022 of $0.68 decreased 11% versus the prior year period, or increased 37% on a constant currency basis. Core diluted earnings per share of $2.24 increased 4%, or 23% on a constant currency basis.
Proposed dividend
The Company’s Board of Directors proposed a dividend of CHF 0.21 per share, based on 2022 financial results. The Company’s shareholders will vote on this proposal at the 2023 Annual General Meeting on May 5, 2023.
Balance sheet and cash flow highlights
The Company ended 2022 with a cash position of $1.0 billion. Cash flows from operations for the full year 2022 totaled $1.2 billion, compared to $1.3 billion in the prior year. The current year includes increased cash outflows from changes in net working capital, the negative impact of foreign currency on operating results and a legal settlement payment. Both periods were impacted by tax payments and semi-annual interest payments.
Free cash flow(3) was $581 million in the full year 2022, compared to $645 million in the previous year. The decrease in free cash flow was primarily driven by lower cash flows from operations, partially offset by lower purchases of property, plant and equipment.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company completed a private offering of $700 million of 5.375% senior notes due 2032 and $600 million of 5.750% senior notes due 2052. The funds borrowed through this issuance, together with cash, were used to repay the remaining Facility B term loan and the bridge loan facility entered into in connection with the acquisition of Aerie. Following these transactions, financial debts totaled $4.6 billion at the end of 2022. The Company ended 2022 with a net debt(4) position of $3.7 billion.
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(3) |
Free cash flow is a non-IFRS measure. Refer to the ‘Footnotes’ section for additional information. |
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(4) |
Net (debt)/liquidity is a non-IFRS measure. Refer to the ‘Footnotes’ section for additional information. |
2023 outlook
The Company published its 2023 outlook as per the table below.
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2023 outlook(5) |
February |
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Net sales (USD) |
$9.2 to $9.4 billion |
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Change vs. prior year (cc)(1) |
+6% to +8% |
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Core operating margin(2) |
19.5% to 20.5% |
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Interest expense and Other financial income & expense |
$260 to $280 million |
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Core effective tax rate(6) |
17% to 19% |
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Core diluted EPS(2) |
$2.55 to $2.65 |
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Change vs. prior year (cc)(1) |
+16% to +20% |
This outlook assumes the following:
- Market growth slightly below historical averages;
- Exchange rates as of end-January prevail through year-end;
- Inflation and supply chain disruptions ease in the second half of the year;
- Approximately 497 million weighted-averaged diluted shares.
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(5) |
The forward-looking guidance included in this press release cannot be reconciled to the comparable IFRS measures without unreasonable effort, because we are not able to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate amount or nature of exceptional items in the fiscal year. Refer to the ‘Footnotes’ section for additional information. |
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(6) |
Core effective tax rate, a non-IFRS measure, is the applicable annual tax rate on core taxable income. Refer to the ‘Footnotes’ section for additional information. |
Webcast and Conference Call Instructions
The Company will host a conference call on February 28, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Central European Time / 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2022 earnings results. The webcast can be accessed online through Alcon’s Investor Relations website, investor.alcon.com. Listeners should log on approximately 10 minutes in advance. A replay will be available online within 24 hours after the event.
Today, Alcon will issue its 2022 Annual Report, which will be available on https://investor.alcon.com/financials/annual-reports/default.aspx. Alcon will also file its 2022 Annual Report on Form 20-F with the US Securities and Exchange Commission today, and will post this document on https://investor.alcon.com/financials/sec-filings/default.aspx. Alcon shareholders may receive a hard copy of either of these documents, each of which contains our complete audited financial statements, free of charge, upon request.
The Company’s 2022 Annual Report, interim financial report and supplemental presentation materials can be found online through Alcon’s Investor Relations website at the beginning of the conference, or by clicking on the link:
Footnotes (pages 1-5)
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(1) |
Constant currency (cc) is a non-IFRS measure. Growth in constant currency (cc) is calculated by translating the current year’s foreign currency items into US dollars using average exchange rates from the historical comparative period and comparing them to the values from the historical comparative period in US dollars. An explanation of non-IFRS measures can be found in the ‘Non-IFRS measures as defined by the Company’ section. |
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(2) |
Core results, such as core operating margin and core EPS, are non-IFRS measures. For additional information, including a reconciliation of such core results to the most directly comparable measures presented in accordance with IFRS, see the explanation of non-IFRS measures and reconciliation tables in the ‘Non-IFRS measures as defined by the Company’ and ‘Financial tables’ sections. |
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(3) |
Free cash flow is a non-IFRS measure. For additional information regarding free cash flow, see the explanation of non-IFRS measures and reconciliation tables in the ‘Non-IFRS measures as defined by the Company’ and ‘Financial tables’ sections. |
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(4) |
Net (debt)/liquidity is a non-IFRS measure. For additional information regarding net (debt)/liquidity, see the explanation of non-IFRS measures and reconciliation tables in the ‘Non-IFRS measures as defined by the Company’ and ‘Financial tables’ sections. |
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(5) |
The forward-looking guidance included in this press release cannot be reconciled to the comparable IFRS measures without unreasonable efforts, because we are not able to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate amount or nature of exceptional items in the fiscal year. Refer to the section ‘Non-IFRS measures as defined by the Company’ for more information. |
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(6) |
Core effective tax rate, a non-IFRS measure, is the applicable annual tax rate on core taxable income. For additional information, see the explanation regarding reconciliation of forward-looking guidance in the ‘Non-IFRS measures as defined by the Company’ section. |
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains, and our officers and representatives may from time to time make, certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “intend,” “commitment,” “look forward,” “maintain,” “plan,” “goal,” “seek,” “target,” “assume,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding our liquidity, revenue, gross margin, operating margin, effective tax rate, foreign currency exchange movements, earnings per share, our plans and decisions relating to various capital expenditures, capital allocation priorities and other discretionary items such as our transformation program, market growth assumptions, our sustainability and diversity plans, targets, goals and expectations, and generally, our expectations concerning our future performance.
Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties and risks that are difficult to predict such as:
- cybersecurity breaches or other disruptions of our information technology systems;
- compliance with data privacy, identity protection and information security laws;
- our ability to comply with the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 and other applicable anti-corruption laws, particularly given that we have entered into a three-year Deferred Prosecution Agreement with the US Department of Justice;
- the impact of a disruption in our global supply chain or important facilities;
- supply constraints and increases in the cost of energy;
- our ability to forecast sales demand and manage our inventory levels and the changing buying patterns of our customers;
- our ability to manage environmental, social and governance matters to the satisfaction of our many stakeholders, some of which may have competing interests;
- our success in completing and integrating strategic acquisitions;
- the success of our research and development efforts, including our ability to innovate to compete effectively;
- global and regional economic, financial, legal, tax, political and social change;
- our ability to comply with all laws to which we may be subject;
- pricing pressure from changes in third party payor coverage and reimbursement methodologies;
- our ability to properly educate and train healthcare providers on our products;
- our reliance on outsourcing key business functions;
- our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;
- the impact of unauthorized importation of our products from countries with lower prices to countries with higher prices;
- the ability to obtain regulatory clearance and approval of our products as well as compliance with any post-approval obligations, including quality control of our manufacturing;
- our ability to protect our intellectual property;
- our ability to service our debt obligations;
- the need for additional financing through the issuance of debt or equity;
- the effects of litigation, including product liability lawsuits and governmental investigations;
- effect of product recalls or voluntary market withdrawals;
- the accuracy of our accounting estimates and assumptions, including pension and other post-employment benefit plan obligations and the carrying value of intangible assets;
- legislative, tax and regulatory reform;
- the impact of being listed on two stock exchanges;
- the ability to declare and pay dividends;
- the different rights afforded to our shareholders as a Swiss corporation compared to a US corporation; and
- the effect of maintaining or losing our foreign private issuer status under U.S. securities laws.
Additional factors are discussed in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Form 20-F. Should one or more of these uncertainties or risks materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of its filing, and we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Intellectual Property
This report may contain references to our proprietary intellectual property. All product names appearing in italics or ALL CAPS are trademarks owned by or licensed to Alcon Inc. Product names identified by a “®” or a “™” are trademarks that are not owned by or licensed to Alcon or its subsidiaries and are the property of their respective owners.
Non-IFRS measures as defined by the Company
Alcon uses certain non-IFRS metrics when measuring performance, including when measuring current period results against prior periods, including core results, percentage changes measured in constant currencies, free cash flow, and net (debt)/liquidity.
Because of their non-standardized definitions, the non-IFRS measures (unlike IFRS measures) may not be comparable to the calculation of similar measures of other companies. These supplemental non-IFRS measures are presented solely to permit investors to more fully understand how Alcon management assesses underlying performance. These supplemental non-IFRS measures are not, and should not be viewed as, a substitute for IFRS measures.
Core results
Alcon core results, including core operating income and core net income, exclude all amortization and impairment charges of intangible assets, excluding software, net gains and losses on fund investments and equity securities valued at fair value through profit and loss (“FVPL”), fair value adjustments of financial assets in the form of options to acquire a company carried at FVPL, obligations related to product recalls, and certain acquisition related items. The following items that exceed a threshold of $10 million and are deemed exceptional are also excluded from core results: integration and divestment related income and expenses, divestment gains and losses, restructuring charges/releases and related items, legal related items, gains/losses on early extinguishment of debt or debt modifications, past service costs for post-employment benefit plans, impairments of property, plant and equipment and software, as well as income and expense items that management deems exceptional and that are or are expected to accumulate within the year to be over a $10 million threshold.
Taxes on the adjustments between IFRS and core results take into account, for each individual item included in the adjustment, the tax rate that will finally be applicable to the item based on the jurisdiction where the adjustment will finally have a tax impact. Generally, this results in amortization and impairment of intangible assets and acquisition-related restructuring and integration items having a full tax impact. There is usually a tax impact on other items, although this is not always the case for items arising from legal settlements in certain jurisdictions.
Alcon believes that investor understanding of its performance is enhanced by disclosing core measures of performance because, since they exclude items that can vary significantly from period to period, the core measures enable a helpful comparison of business performance across periods. For this same reason, Alcon uses these core measures in addition to IFRS and other measures as important factors in assessing its performance.
A limitation of the core measures is that they provide a view of Alcon operations without including all events during a period, such as the effects of an acquisition, divestment, or amortization/impairments of purchased intangible assets and restructurings.
Constant currencies
Changes in the relative values of non-US currencies to the US dollar can affect Alcon’s financial results and financial position. To provide additional information that may be useful to investors, including changes in sales volume, we present information about changes in our net sales and various values relating to operating and net income that are adjusted for such foreign currency effects.
Contacts
Investor Relations
Daniel Cravens
Allen Trang
+ 41 589 112 110 (Geneva)
+ 1 817 615 2789 (Fort Worth)
[email protected]
Media Relations
Steven Smith
+ 41 589 112 111 (Geneva)
+ 1 817 551 8057 (Fort Worth)
[email protected]