Content about Company Earnings Announcement

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Winn-Dixie's transformational remodel initiative is setting the stage for a strong 2012, the company reported Tuesday morning during its first-quarter conference call.

SAN FRANCISCO — McKesson said its distribution solutions and technology solutions businesses helped drive the company's operating results for the second quarter ended Sept. 30.

For its distribution solutions business, McKesson reported that revenue was up 10% to $29.4 billion. The increase, the wholesaler said, was primarily driven by growth in U.S. pharmaceutical direct distribution and services revenues (which rose to nearly $26 billion), as well as the acquisition of US Oncology, the company said.

MINNEAPOLIS — Hyper-local initiatives and the rollout of sales tools at Supervalu, along with inflation, are helping to drive better-than-expected comparable sales for the company's second-quarter results, Supervalu reported Wednesday morning.

LONGUEUIL, Québec — Jean Coutu Group on Tuesday reported revenue of 635.2 million Canadian dollars (US $598.5 million) during the second quarter ended Aug. 27, an increase of 1.5%. Net profit per share came in at C$0.29, including a C$0.10 gain on sale of Rite Aid's shares, compared with C$0.18 during the second quarter of fiscal year 2011.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens mitigated projected repercussions out of the chain's withdrawal from the Express Scripts pharmacy network come January, as the Walgreens/Express Scripts failed negotiations again dominated the pharmacy's quarterly analyst call Tuesday morning. All told, Express Scripts represents $5.3 billion in revenue to Walgreens, but the Chicago-based pharmacy is working toward retaining the prescription business from several employers and payers, "consistent with their contractual obligations," executives emphasized.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Southeastern discount banner Fred's on Thursday morning reported that the consumer continues to be challenged by economic pressures. "In key markets we continue to see swings in sales [tied to] the payroll cycle," Bruce Efird, Fred's president and CEO, told analysts during a conference call this morning. Efird also reported an increase in government assistance utilization.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target reported second-quarter earnings per share of $1.03 that beat analysts’ estimates by a nickel, and the company elevated its full-year profit forecast amid ongoing success of key initiatives.

Retail sales increased 5.1% to $15.9 billion from $15.1 billion, thanks to a 3.9% same-store sales increase and the addition of several new stores. Operating profit for the retail business increased at a slower rate, rising 4.6% to about $1.15 billion from nearly $1.1 billion.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Par Pharmaceutical had sales of $224.2 million and profits of $9.05 million during second quarter 2011, the drug maker said Wednesday.

These compared with respective sales and second-quarter profits of $255.5 million and $18.4 million in second quarter 2010.

For the first six months of fiscal year 2011, the company had sales of $435.8 million and a loss of $99.9 million, compared with $537 million in sales and profits of $44.7 million during the first six months of 2010.

SAN FRANCISCO — A little less than a month following the company's IdeaShare 2011 conference held here, McKesson reported a strong first-quarter headwind that will help support many of the initiatives announced at the show, particularly for its Health Mart independent pharmacy group.

NEW YORK — Revlon, which has been taking steps to improve its capital structure, posted a boost in second-quarter net sales, largely due to the inclusion of the recently acquired Sinful Colors brand and higher net sales of Revlon color cosmetics.

"In the second quarter of 2011, consistent with our strategy of driving profitable growth, we delivered top line growth of 4%, while supporting our brands at appropriate levels and maintaining competitive operating margins," Revlon president and CEO Alan Ennis said.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu on Tuesday reported first-quarter fiscal 2012 net sales of $11.1 billion (down 3.7% versus last year) and net earnings of $74 million (up 10.4%), or 35 cents per diluted share. Posted net earnings beat the analyst consensus of 33 cents per diluted share.