Walgreen Boots Alliance, the largest pharmacy chain in the United States, released fourth quarter and fiscal 2017 results.
GAAP diluted earnings per share were $0,76, down 20,0% over the prior year quarter due to costs related to the Rite Aid transaction (the first competitor of Walgreen Boots), mainly related to the cancellation of the merger agreement.
Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $1,31, up 22,4% at constant exchange rates. Sales increased 5,3% to $30,1 billion, up 6,4% at constant exchange rates;
GAAP operating income decreased 2,3% to $1,1 billion; adjusted operating income increased by 21,2% to $1,9 billion (+22,3% at constant exchange rates).
For fiscal 2017, sales increased 0,7% to $118,2 billion. The company completed a $5,0 billion share repurchase and added an additional $1 billion to the program.
Walgreen Boots Alliance estimates fiscal 2018 guidance in the range of $5,40 to $5,70 for diluted earnings per share
adjusted.
Stefano Pessina, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, said: “We are pleased to announce that the company has
recorded a good performance. Our business areas have achieved significant improvements, while managing to
effectively counterbalance the pressures related to the reimbursement of prescription medicines, and to face the competition on the markets
rapidly evolving retail”.
“In the coming year – continued Pessina – we intend to increase this solid underlying growth, supported by the expansion of our pharmacy network in the United States, through the upcoming acquisitions of Rite Aid stores.”
