Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBA) subsided Thursday, on earnings reports.
The drug store chain, based in Deerfield, Illinois, said Thursday that sales increased 11.3% to $131.5 billion. Operating income increased 15.4% to $6.4 billion. Adjusted operating income increased 3.5% to $7.8 billion. EPS increased 33.6% to $5.05. Adjusted EPS increased 18% to $6.02. Net cash provided by operating activities was $8.3 billion. Free cash flow was $6.9 billion
Fiscal 2018 net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance increased 23.2% to $5.0 billion.
Moreover, the company introduced guidance of 7-12% growth in fiscal 2019 adjusted EPS at constant currency rates. At current exchange rates, this results in an estimated range of $6.40 to $6.70 for fiscal 2019 adjusted EPS.
The guidance also assumes continued execution of our previously announced $10-billion share repurchase program, including the expected repurchase of approximately $3 billion worth of shares in fiscal 2019.
CEO Stefano Pessina said, "We are pleased to have delivered double-digit percentage growth in earnings per share while returning $6.8 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends in fiscal 2018. The integration of the acquired Rite Aid stores is on track, and our pharmacy market share in the U.S. increased year-over-year on an annual basis.
"We are making progress on our partnership strategy both in the U.S. and internationally, including our most recent announcements with LabCorp, Kroger and Alibaba, which will provide additional opportunities for future growth."
Shares lost 52 cents to $71.79.
