Development of Business free cash flow Audited

In 2013, the Merck Serono division’s business free cash flow amounted to € 1,876 million, which represents only a slight decline compared with the very high level of € 1,880 million in 2012. The increase in EBITDA pre one-time items by € 130 million, or 7.1%, positively affected the business free cash flow. However, the changes in trade accounts receivable achieved in 2012 could not be reached in 2012. In 2013, receivables declined by only € –43 million, whereas in 2012 this balance sheet item was significantly reduced by € –180 million.

XLS

Merck Serono | Business free cash flow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

€ million

2013

2012

Change in %

EBITDA pre one-time items

1,955.0

1,824.7

7.1

Investments in property, plant and equipment, software as well as advance payments for intangible assets

–164.3

–160.5

2.4

Changes in inventories

41.7

35.8

16.3

Changes in trade accounts receivable

43.3

180.2

–75.9

Business free cash flow

1,875.7

1,880.2

–0.2

The development of business free cash flow in the individual quarters in comparison with 2012 is presented in the following table:

Merck Serono | Business free cash flow and change by quarter 1

Merck Serono – Business free cash flow and change by quarter (bar chart)