Consolidated data
Key figures - IFRS
| In € millions | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net sales | 21,960 | 20,907 | 21,199 | 19,553 | 20,247 | 21,474 | 20,719 | 17,891 |
| % change | +5.0% | -1.4% | +8.4% | -3.4% | -5.7% | +3.6% | +15.8% | +20.8% |
| Total employee benefit costs | 5,871 | 5,542 | 5,785 | 5,292 | 5,292 | 5,377 | 5,021 | 4,836 |
| as a % of net sales | 26.7% | 26.5% | 27.3% | 27.1% | 26.1% | 25.0% | 24.2% | 27.0% |
| Average number of employees (full time equivalent) | 107,800 | 105,700 | 105,800 | 106,700 | 105,700 | 107,300 | 108,300 | 105,100 |
| Research and development expenses | 641 | 718 | 689 | 656 | 643 | 622 | 592 | 545 |
| as a % of net sales | 2.9% | 3.4% | 3.3% | 3.4% | 3.2% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 3.0% |
| EBITDA from recurring activities 1 | 4,087 | 4,084 | 3,934 | 3,286 | 3,285 | 3,445 | 2,878 | 2,660 |
| Operating income from recurring activities | 2,742 | 2,692 | 2,577 | 2,170 | 2,234 | 2,423 | 1,945 | 1,695 |
| Operating margin from recurring activities | 12.5% | 12.9% | 12.2% | 11.1% | 11.0% | 11.3% | 9.4% | 9.5% |
| Operating income | 2,631 | 2,791 | 2,207 | 1,991 | 1,974 | 2,469 | 1,945 | 1,945 |
| Operating margin | 12.0% | 13.3% | 10.4% | 10.2% | 9.7% | 11.5% | 9.4% | 9.5% |
| Cost of net debt | 176 | 203 | 184 | 130 | 94 | 155 | 206 | 236 |
| Other financial income and expenses | (0) | 20 | (30) | (43) | (15) | (22) | 236 | 10 |
| Income before taxes | 2,354 | 2,464 | 1,869 | 1,651 | 1,702 | 2,307 | 1,996 | 1,498 |
| Income tax | 661 | 797 | 706 | 620 | 575 | 736 | 534 | 449 |
| Effective tax rate | 28.1% | 32.3% | 37.8% | 37.5% | 33.8% | 31.9% | 26.8% | 30.0% |
| Net income | 1,693 | 1,667 | 1,163 | 1,031 | 1,127 | 1,571 | 1,462 | 1,049 |
| as a % of net sales | 7.7% | 8.0% | 5.5% | 5.3% | 5.6% | 7.3% | 7.1% | 5.9% |
| Dividends 2 | 585 | 522 | 463 | 464 | 438 | 378 | 314 | 147 |
| Cash flows from operating activities | 2,741 | 2,764 | 2,695 | 2,522 | 3,089 | 2,926 | 1,196 | 1,322 |
| as a % of net sales | 12.5% | 13.2% | 12.7% | 12.9% | 15.3% | 13.6% | 5.8% | 7.4% |
| Gross purchases of intangible assets and PP&E | 1,771 | 1,811 | 1,804 | 1,883 | 1,980 | 1,996 | 1,711 | 1,100 |
| as a % of net sales | 8.1% | 8.7% | 8.5% | 9.6% | 9.8% | 9.3% | 8.3% | 6.1% |
| Net debt 3 | 716 | 944 | 1,008 | 707 | 142 | 1,053 | 1,814 | 1,629 |
| Equity | 11,261 | 10,646 | 9,542 | 9,523 | 9,256 | 8,501 | 8,101 | 8,127 |
| Gearing | 6% | 9% | 11% | 7% | 2% | 12% | 22% | 20% |
| Net debt 3 / EBITDA 1 | 0.18 | 0.23 | 0.26 | 0.22 | 0.04 | 0.31 | 0.63 | 0.61 |
| Cash flows from operating activities / Net debt 3 | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS |
| Operating income from recurring activities / Net interest expense 4 | 15.9 | 13.3 | 12.8 | 16.0 | 15.7 | 14.2 | 9.2 | 9.1 |
| Free cash flow 5 | 662 | 1,024 | 653 | 322 | 1,154 | 1,075 | -19 | 426 |
| ROE 6 | 15.0% | 15.7% | 12.2% | 10.8% | 12.2% | 18.5% | 18.1% | 12.9% |
| ROCE 7 | 11.9% | 12.1% | 12.2% | 11.1% | 11.9% | 12.8% | 10.9% | 10.5% |
1 As defined in note 3.7.2 to the consolidated financial statements.
2 Including the dividends paid in shares.
3 Net debt: financial liabilities - cash and cash equivalents (excluding cash flows from cash management financial assets and borrowing collaterals) +/- derivative assets, as defined in note 26 to the consolidated financial statements.
4 Net interest charge: interest financing expenses - interest income from cash and equivalents.
5 Free cash flow: cash flows from operating activities - cash flows from investing activities (excluding cash flows from cash management financial assets and borrowing collaterals), as defined in section 3.5.3.
6 ROE: net income attributable to shareholders/shareholders equity excluding non-controlling interests.
7 ROCE: Net Operating Profit After Tax (NOPAT)/capital employed (intangible assets and PP&E + long-term financial assets + working capital requirement), as defined in section 3.6.
