Philips is likely to divest its lighting business in an IPO, rather than selling it to an external buyer. The move is part of Philips’ intent to consolidate its wide-ranging business to fewer areas, such as healthcare.
CEO Frans van Houten said that improvements in equity markets have made an IPO more likely than a private sale. A final decision will be taken in Q2.
Analysts estimate that Philips Lighting is worth around €5.5 billion.
