Philips confirms in talks to sell factories

AMSTERDAM, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Dutch Philips Electronics NV on Friday confirmed it was in talks with several companies to sell factories that make mature products such as standard television sets, a move which could improve its profitability.

A Philips spokesman confirmed comments made by Chief Executive Gerard Kleisterlee in an interview with the Financial Times newspaper.

The spokesman declined to give any further details such as the number of jobs that could be lost or transferred, or the financial value of the operations.

Philips is Europe's largest maker of consumer electronics and lighting and number three in semiconductors.