Philips sales stagnant in 3rd quarter, posts loss after losing patent infringement suit

Royal Philips NV, the world's largest lighting maker, has reported a 104 million-euro ($132 million) loss for the third quarter, mostly due to a one-off charge after losing a patent infringement lawsuit against Masimo Corp. of the U.S.

The loss compares with net profit of 282 million euros in the same period a year earlier, but includes the $466 million award a U.S. jury handed to Masimo. Philips is appealing.

Sales dipped 1 percent to 5.55 billion euros, while operating margins — before charges — declined to 9.7 percent from 11.4 percent of sales.

Chief Executive Frans van Houten, who last month issued a profit warning and announced plans to split the company, said Philips is "facing sustained softness in a number of markets," including China and Russia.