Our Q4 2018 performance at a glance
Sales amounted to EUR 5.6 billion, with 5% comparable sales growth
Comparable order intake for the quarter increased 10%
Income from continuing operations increased to EUR 723 million, compared to EUR 476 million in Q4 2017
Adjusted EBITA margin improved by 70 basis points, despite a 40 basis points adverse currency effect, to 17.4% of sales, compared to 16.7% of sales in Q4 2017
Income from operations increased to EUR 769 million, compared to EUR 723 million in Q4 2017
Operating cash flow increased to EUR 1,293 million, compared to EUR 1,202 million in Q4 2017; free cash flow increased to EUR 1,019 million, compared to EUR 948 million in Q4 2017
Full-year highlights
Sales increased to EUR 18.1 billion, with 5% comparable sales growth
Comparable order intake increased 10% year-on-year
Income from continuing operations increased to EUR 1,310 million, compared to EUR 1,028 million in 2017
Adjusted EBITA margin improved by 100 basis points to 13.1% of sales, compared to 12.1% of sales in 2017
Income from operations amounted to EUR 1,719 million, compared to EUR 1,517 million in 2017
Operating cash flow totaled EUR 1.8 billion, compared to EUR 1.9 billion in 2017; free cash flow amounted to EUR 984 million, including a EUR 176 million outflow related to pension liability de-risking and an early bond redemption, compared to EUR 1,185 million in 2017
Proposal to increase dividend by 6% to EUR 0.85 per share; start of new EUR 1.5 billion share buyback program