Walgreens Bites The Covid Dust

Fiscal Third Quarter Highlights

Despite the earnings miss, Walgreens topped revenue expectations as sales grew 8.6% YoY to $35.42 billion, exceeding the expected $34.24 billion as retail pharmacy and health-care segments expanded. However, due to a lower operating income, the resulting net profit amounted to $118 million as it tanked a 59% YoY, with adjusted EPS of $1.00, below the expected $1.07.

The U.S. retail pharmacy segment brought in $28 billion in sales as it grew 4.4% YoY with comparable sales at individual locations increasing 7% YoY. Pharmacy sales also increased 6.3% YoY with comparable rising nearly 10% due to price inflation in brand medications.

Total number of filled prescriptions rose only 0.1% for a total of 305 million with Covid vaccines administered during the period plummeting 83% YoY from 4.7 million to 800,000.

U.S. health-care segment contributed $2 billion to total revenue, which is $1.4 billion more compared to last year’s quarter. CEO Rosalind Brewer stated that the company will be increasing its cost-cutting program to $4.1 billion while working to improve profitability of the whole segment. 

The partnership with primary-care provider VillageMD was a bright spot, with revenue growing 22%. At-home health-care provider CareCentrix saw sales rising 15%, with the increase being owed to additional service offerings.

Full Year Guidance

Walgreens lowered its earnings guidance to a range between $4.00 to $4.05 per share while the prior forecast was in the range between $4.45 to $4.65 per share.

Even with the delay, the Amazon threat is looming

DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as investing advice.

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

To add Benzinga News as your preferred source on Google, click here.