Philips said yesterday sales of energy-efficient lighting grew 16 per cent in the second quarter as more consumers have grown concerned about their carbon footprint and companies have begun to view rising energy costs as a problem.

The strong performance in lighting, bolstered by the acquisition last year of Genlyte, and a gain of €780m ($1.2bn) from the sale of shares in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) kept what the company called a "rapidly deteriorating macroeconomic environment" partially in check.