Key performance indicators of the Group and its businesses

The three key performance indicators of net sales, EBITDA pre, and operating cash flow (OCF) are the most important financial factors for assessing operational performance. Accordingly, we refer to these KPIs in the “Report on Economic Position”, the “Report on Risks and Opportunities”, and the “Report on Expected Developments”. As the most important indicators of financial business performance, the KPIs are key elements of our performance management system.

Net Sales

Net sales are defined as the revenues from the sale of goods, services rendered to external customers, and commission income and profit sharing from collaborations, net of value-added-tax, and after sales deductions such as rebates or discounts. Net sales are the main indicator of our business growth and therefore an important parameter of external as well as internal performance measurement. In addition, organic sales growth compared with the target is used for internal performance management. Organic sales growth shows the percentage change in net sales versus a comparative period, adjusted for exchange rate and portfolio effects. Exchange rate effects may arise as a result of foreign exchange fluctuation between the functional non-euro currency of a consolidated company and the reporting currency (euro). By contrast, portfolio effects reflect sales changes due to acquisitions and divestments of consolidated companies or businesses.

EBITDA pre

EBITDA pre is the main performance indicator measuring ongoing operational profitability and is used internally and externally. To permit a better understanding of the underlying operational performance, the operating result is adjusted to exclude depreciation and amortization, impairment losses and reversals of impairment losses, as well as adjustments. These adjustments are restricted to the following categories: integration expenses, IT expenses for certain projects, restructuring expenses, gains/losses on the divestment of businesses, acquisition expenses, and other adjustments. The classification of specific income and expenses as adjustments follows clear rules and is subject to strict governance at the Group level. Within the scope of internal performance management, EBITDA pre permits process efficiency increases without influencing the performance of the operating business through exceptional items or restructuring expenses. The following table shows the composition of EBITDA pre in fiscal 2023 compared with the previous year. The IFRS figures have been modified to reflect the elimination of adjustments included in the respective functional costs.

Operating cash flow (OCF)

Operating cash flow results from Merck’s current business activities and describes the cash generated from operating activities. It is influenced mainly by EBITDA pre, income tax, the financial result and changes in net working capital.