Walgreens Beats Estimates for the Quarter Thanks to COVID-19 Vaccines and Tests
Walgreens Boots Alliance reported fourth-quarter earnings today, beating analysts’ estimates, thanks to increased sales of COVID tests and demands for vaccines.
See: Majority of US Companies May Require COVID-19 Vaccine, Survey FindsFind: Moderna Chairman Refuses To Share Vaccine Formula — Will Pfizer’s Popularity Hurt Its Stock Value?
The company provided 13.5 million vaccinations in the quarter and 34.6 million in fiscal 2021, according to a press release. This represents nearly double the company had expected to administer in the quarter, according to CNBC.
“Mandates are playing a role,” CEO Roz Brewer told CNBC. “There are many companies and organizations, cities and municipalities that are mandating and I think it’s forcing people to say ‘I need to go to work. So I have to get this vaccine.’ So it is creating an increase. And we’re seeing that in our stores.”
Walgreens reported adjusted earnings for its fiscal fourth quarter of $1.17, compared to a consensus estimate of $1.02 per share and revenue of $34.4 billion, above the consensus estimate of $33.3 billion, Barron’s reports.
Analysts at CFRA Research issued a Hold rating, reflecting concerns of intensifying competition, particularly from Amazon, according to a note sent to GOBankingRates.
“The competitive landscape is a concern. In November 2020, Amazon launched Amazon Pharmacy, which we think can transform the way millions of people purchase prescription drugs given that there are more than 120M Amazon Prime members in the U.S.,” according to the note. “Prime members will have exclusive savings to certain prescription drugs through Amazon’s new prescription drug savings program. WBA has been benefiting from administering COVID-19 vaccines as the margins are attractive and the incremental foot traffic has benefited front-end sales.
“However, vaccines are expected to significantly slow in the upcoming quarter, which, combined with accelerated investments in digital and healthcare, makes the next few quarters quite challenging.”
POLL: Do You Plan To Attend a Holiday Gathering Despite Delta and Grocery Shortages?Find: Small-Business Owners Describe Their Biggest Challenges With the Delta Surge
Walgreens shares were up 2.20% in pre-market trading and 3.7% this morning.
More From GOBankingRates
- 5 Things Most Americans Don’t Know About Social Security
- The Best Cash Back Credit Card Right Now
- 8 Best Cryptocurrencies To Invest In for 2021
- How Long $500K Will Last in Retirement in Each State
