Q4 2023 Summary
Published Jan 10, 2025, 5:10 PM UTC- GE HealthCare has a strong order backlog exceeding $19 billion, including $2.5 billion in multiyear enterprise deals, providing revenue visibility into 2024 and 2025.
- The company is a leader in theranostics, with unique capabilities across PET CT, PET MR, and the 12-head StarGuide system. The acquisition of MIM Software enhances their competitive edge in this rapidly growing market.
- GE HealthCare's focus on innovation and R&D is driving growth. With a new product vitality index of 26%, over 25% of their products are new, leading to higher gross margins and margin expansion.
- GE HealthCare expects negative revenue growth in China during the first half of 2024 due to anticorruption measures and challenging year-over-year comparisons, potentially impacting overall growth.
- Revenue growth and margin expansion in Q1 2024 are anticipated to be below full-year expectations due to strong prior-year performance, indicating a possible slow start to the year.
- Anticipated positive pricing impact in 2024 is lower (1–2%) compared to 2023 (approximately 3%), which may result in reduced contribution to revenue growth and margins from pricing actions.
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China Sales Outlook
Q: What's the outlook for China growth in 2024?
A: Management expects a decline in China revenue in the first half of 2024 due to strong comparators from H1 2023 when they grew over 20% organically. Growth is expected to resume in the second half, leading to overall growth in China for the full year. -
Margin Expansion Outlook
Q: What's the outlook for margin expansion in 2024?
A: They anticipate 50 to 80 basis points of margin expansion, primarily driven by gross margin improvements from lean initiatives and pricing. R&D spending will increase as a percentage of sales, contributing to long-term growth. -
Revenue Growth Guidance
Q: How confident are you in the 4% organic growth guidance?
A: They view the 4% organic growth guidance for 2024 as solid despite challenging comps. A strong order book over $19 billion, including $2.5 billion in multiyear deals, provides good visibility into future revenues. -
Capital Allocation Priorities
Q: How are you prioritizing uses of cash in 2024?
A: With a 95% free cash flow conversion in 2023 and $1 billion debt paydown, they plan to reinvest in the business, pursue strategic M&A, strengthen the balance sheet, and continue paying dividends. -
Flurpiridaz Market Potential
Q: When do you expect Flurpiridaz approval, and its market impact?
A: Approval is expected in the second half of 2024 based on typical timelines. Flurpiridaz could significantly improve specificity and sensitivity in myocardial perfusion imaging, potentially capturing a substantial portion of the 9 million annual MPI tests in the U.S. over time. -
Photon Counting CT Progress
Q: What's the progress with photon counting CT technology?
A: They are making good progress on their photon counting CT platform, which could revolutionize CT imaging. Industry-wide adoption is expected over a 10-year period, particularly in the premium segment. -
AI Monetization Strategy
Q: How will you monetize AI-enabled technologies?
A: Strategies include higher pricing for AI-enhanced hardware and offering SaaS-based software capabilities. In 2024, they plan to build out their go-to-market and monetization models, including cloud-based applications and partnerships. -
Multiyear Contracts Impact
Q: How are multiyear contracts affecting your orders?
A: They've secured over $2.5 billion in multiyear enterprise deals, providing 2–3 years of revenue visibility. They only book orders within a 2-year window, so longer-term deals are not fully reflected in current order numbers. -
Service Pricing Uplift
Q: Are you seeing pricing uplift in service agreements?
A: Yes, they've achieved price increases across service offerings through multiyear contracts with escalators. Services are high-margin, and gaining market share increases future service contract revenues. -
Theranostics Opportunities
Q: How are you approaching theranostics opportunities?
A: With unique products like the 12-head StarGuide system and capabilities in manufacturing tracers and cyclotrons, they are well-positioned to play multiple roles in theranostics growth.