AMSTERDAM – U.S. asset management firm Artisan Investments has raised its stake in Philips (NYSE: PHG) to 10%, sending the healthcare technology group’s shares rising on Wednesday, a week after the Dutch company’s biggest shareholder also increased its holding.
At 1045 GMT, Philips shares were up 1.66% at 23.90 euros, outperforming the Dutch stock market blue-chip AEX (+1.05%) and the Stoxx Europe 600 healthcare index (-0.1%).
After raising its stake, Artisan Investments now owns 94.13 million shares in Philips, or about 10% of the company, according to a regulatory filing published earlier.
“Artisan has owned more than 9% in Philips for quite some time and has recently increased their stake to 10% after (our) Q1 results. We see this as a signal of trust in our strategy and plan,” a Philips spokesperson told Reuters.
Artisan Investments is now Philips’ second-largest shareholder behind Exor, the investment arm of Italy’s Agnelli family, which increased its stake to 17.51% last week.
Philips reported a better-than-expected first-quarter profit on April 29, with its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, and amortization (EBITA) jumping 8% to 388 million euros ($417.22 million).
The company also announced a smaller-than-expected settlement on the same day to resolve claims over recalled breathing devices in the U.S.
($1 = 0.9300 euros)
(Source: ReutersReuters)
Zabih Ullah is a seasoned finance writer with more than ten years of experience. He is highly skilled at analyzing market trends, decoding economic data, and providing insightful commentary on various financial topics. Driven by his curiosity, Zabih stays updated with the latest developments in the finance industry, ensuring that his readers receive timely and relevant news and analysis. Read Full Bio
