Express Scripts Reports Mixed Q4 Results

Shares of Express Scripts

are trading lower in the after-hours following the release of the company's Q4 earnings results. Currently, shares are lower by 0.25%, trading at $51.50; they ended the regular session lower by 1.30%, at $51.63. Express Scripts reported Q4 EPS of $0.82 on revenues of $12.1 billion; the Street was looking for $0.85 per share on revenues of $11.6 billion. Revenues increased 7.1% year over year. "Through our unwavering focus on innovation, service and alignment, we achieved a historically high level of client retention," stated George Paz, chairman and chief executive officer. "The pending merger with Medco will allow us to combine our complementary strengths and accelerate our clinical offerings designed to improve health outcomes while lowering healthcare costs for our clients and patients." Express Scripts, Inc. is a pharmacy benefit management operating in North America, offering a range of services to its clients, which include health maintenance organizations, health insurers, third-party administrators, employers, union-sponsored benefit plans, workers' compensation plans and Government health programs.