Content about Company Earnings Announcement

March 22, 2011
Walgreens achieves record sales, Rx growth

Walgreens announced on Tuesday record sales and earnings for the second quarter as it celebrated a milestone of filling 1-in-every-5 retail prescriptions for the first time in the company's history.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens announced on Tuesday record sales and earnings for the second quarter as it celebrated a milestone of filling 1-in-every-5 retail prescriptions for the first time in the company's history.

Net earnings for the quarter were $739 million, or 80 cents per diluted share, compared with $669 million, or 68 cents per share, in the year-ago period.

March 3, 2011
Inflation, higher fuel prices to drive 2011 grocer gains

Kroger on Thursday beat analysts’ quarterly consensus, posting 46 cents in earnings per share (adjusted for a goodwill impairment charge) that exceeded consensus by 2 cents EPS, with a higher-than-expected identical-store sales lift of 3.8% (excluding fuel).

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Thursday beat analysts’ quarterly consensus, posting 46 cents in earnings per share (adjusted for a goodwill impairment charge) that exceeded consensus by 2 cents EPS, with a higher-than-expected identical-store sales lift of 3.8% (excluding fuel).

Same-store sales were particularly strong across natural food, bakery and deli/meat, Kroger chairman and CEO David Dillon told analysts during a conference call. “We were particularly pleased by sales growth in our drug and merchandise departments,” Dillon said.

March 3, 2011
Rite Aid's February sales increase

February sales at Rite Aid increased 1% over the prior-year period, while the chain's front-end and pharmacy same-store sales increased 1.1% and 0.9%, respectively.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — February sales at Rite Aid increased 1% over the prior-year period, while the chain's front-end and pharmacy same-store sales increased 1.1% and 0.9%, respectively.

Total drug store sales for the five-week period increased 0.1% to about $2.44 billion, Rite Aid reported.

February 25, 2011
MedfusionRx acquisition boosts SXC's 2010 sales

Pharmacy benefit manager SXC Health Solutions had revenues of $1.95 billion in 2010, compared with $1.44 billion in 2009, according to an earnings report released Thursday.

LISLE, Ill. — Pharmacy benefit manager SXC Health Solutions had revenues of $1.95 billion in 2010, compared with $1.44 billion in 2009, according to an earnings report released Thursday.

Profit for the year was $64.7 million, compared with $46.1 million in 2009.

February 24, 2011
Safeway's EPS above analyst expectations

Safeway surprised analysts Thursday morning with fourth-quarter earnings per share of 62 cents, well above a consensus of 57 cents among analysts.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway surprised analysts Thursday morning with fourth-quarter earnings per share of 62 cents, well above a consensus of 57 cents among analysts.

Total sales were up 0.9% to $12.8 billion in the fourth quarter. Higher fuel sales and an increase in the Canadian exchange rate were offset by reduced sales due to store closures and a 0.8% decline in identical-store sales, excluding fuel, the grocer reported. Same-store sales, excluding fuel, declined 0.5%. Fuel sales rose 23%.

Share value on the NYSE was up 14 cents in mid-day trading to $22.19.

February 22, 2011
Medco's Q4, fiscal-year sales rise

Sales at Medco Health Solutions increased to $16.9 billion during fourth quarter 2010 and to $66 billion for the fiscal year as a whole, representing respective 11.1% and 10.3% increases over the same periods the year before, the pharmacy benefit manager said Tuesday.

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. — Sales at Medco Health Solutions increased to $16.9 billion during fourth quarter 2010 and to $66 billion for the fiscal year as a whole, representing respective 11.1% and 10.3% increases over the same periods the year before, the pharmacy benefit manager said Tuesday.

Profits for the quarter were $378.5 million, a 10.8% increase over fourth quarter 2009, while profits for the year were $1.4 billion, an 11.5% increase over fiscal year 2009.

February 18, 2011
NewsBytes on WAG's Rx purchasing team, WMT's Duncan Mac Naughton, CVS Q4 results and more

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens this month rounded out the pharmacy purchasing team led by Jeff Berkowitz, who joined the company in the fall as SVP pharmaceutical development and market access.


February 15, 2011
Winn-Dixie closes gap toward quarterly black

Operations at Winn-Dixie Stores continued to improve across the second quarter, helping to drive shares up by 11 cents to $6.92 per share in mid-day trading.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Operations at Winn-Dixie Stores continued to improve across the second quarter, helping to drive shares up by 11 cents to $6.92 per share in mid-day trading.

“Overall I feel good about our progress this quarter,” Peter Lynch, Winn-Dixie chairman, CEO and president, told analysts Tuesday morning during a conference call. “[We] continued to improve sales through strategic adjustments to our promotional activity.”

February 10, 2011
Whole Foods Q1 income jumps 79%, same-store sales up 9.1%

Whole Foods Market’s first-quarter net income surged 79% to $88.7 million, on an increase in customer visits and a rise in average transactions. The natural and organic foods grocer raised 2011 profit outlook on its strong results, which beat expectations.

AUSTIN, Texas — Whole Foods Market’s first-quarter net income surged 79% to $88.7 million, on an increase in customer visits and a rise in average transactions. The natural and organic foods grocer raised 2011 profit outlook on its strong results, which beat expectations.

February 4, 2011
Generics, specialty drugs drive AmerisourceBergen's Q1

AmerisourceBergen on Friday reported revenue of $19.9 billion, up 2.9%, for the first quarter ended Dec. 31.

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. — AmerisourceBergen on Friday reported revenue of $19.9 billion, up 2.9%, for the first quarter ended Dec. 31.

February 3, 2011
Fred’s falls short of January expectations

Fred's on Wednesday reported a fiscal 2010 sales increase of 3% to $1.8 billion for the year ended Jan. 29. Comparable sales were up 2.2%, versus an increase of 0.4% in the prior year.

MEMPHIS — Fred's on Wednesday reported a fiscal 2010 sales increase of 3% to $1.8 billion for the year ended Jan. 29. Comparable sales were up 2.2%, versus an increase of 0.4% in the prior year.

January comp increases of 2.1%, however, fell well short of the 3.9% analyst consensus tallied by Thomson Reuters, a factor that may have had more influence in driving the company’s stock down 37 cents to $13.31 on Wednesday’s trading. Winter weather played a role in those not-as-good-as-expected results, the retailer reported.

February 3, 2011
Kinray acquisition drives Cardinal Health's Q2

Second-quarter revenue for Cardinal Health rose 2%, thanks in part to its acquisition of pharmaceutical distributor Kinray.

DUBLIN, Ohio — Second-quarter revenue for Cardinal Health rose 2%, thanks in part to its acquisition of pharmaceutical distributor Kinray.

Revenue for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2010, totaled $25.4 billion, compared with the prior-year period. Similarly, Cardinal Health's earnings per share from continuing operations jumped 21% to 69 cents.

February 2, 2011
Victoza, NovoSeven drive Novo Nordisk's sales

A collection of relatively new products helped drive up sales and profits at Novo Nordisk, the Danish drug maker said Wednesday.

BAGSVÆRD, Denmark — A collection of relatively new products helped drive up sales and profits at Novo Nordisk, the Danish drug maker said Wednesday. 

Sales increased by 22% in the North American markets when measured in local currencies, and by 29% when measured in Danish kroner, the company said. Operating profits were $3.5 billion, a 16% increase over 2009.

February 1, 2011
Generics move McKesson profits up

McKesson Corp. on Monday reported revenue of $28.2 billion for its fiscal third quarter, ended Dec. 31, 2010. Third-quarter earnings per diluted share were 60 cents, which included a pre-tax average wholesale price litigation charge of $189 million ($133 million after-tax, or 52 cents per diluted share).

SAN FRANCISCO — McKesson Corp. on Monday reported revenue of $28.2 billion for its fiscal third quarter, ended Dec. 31, 2010. Third-quarter earnings per diluted share were 60 cents, which included a pre-tax average wholesale price litigation charge of $189 million ($133 million after-tax, or 52 cents per diluted share).

February 1, 2011
ReportersNotebook — Chain Pharmacy, 2/7/11

SUPPLIER NEWS — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug made by Watson Pharmaceuticals for cancer-related breakthrough pain, Watson said. The drug is a generic version of Cephalon’s Fentora, which had sales of around $179 million during the 12-month period ended in November 2010, according to IMS Health.





January 31, 2011
Caraco reports quarterly earnings

Caraco Pharmaceutical Labs had sales of $40.4 million during the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, and $268.2 million during the first nine months of the fiscal year, the company said in an earnings report released Sunday.

DETROIT — Caraco Pharmaceutical Labs had sales of $40.4 million during the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, and $268.2 million during the first nine months of the fiscal year, the company said in an earnings report released Sunday.

Caraco, whose fiscal year 2011 ended Dec. 31, 2010, said that it included sales of products that it owns and products that it distributes in the figures. The latest numbers compared with $52 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2010 and $178.4 million during the first nine months of fiscal year 2010.

January 31, 2011
Ingles Markets unveils Q1 results

Off to a strong start for fiscal year 2011, Ingles Markets on Monday reported a 3.8% rise in net sales for its first quarter ended Dec. 25, 2010.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Off to a strong start for fiscal year 2011, Ingles Markets on Monday reported a 3.8% rise in net sales for its first quarter ended Dec. 25, 2010.

Net income totaled $7.7 million for the quarter, a 28.3% jump from the year-ago period.

Comparable-store sales, the retailer noted, increased 2.9%, both including and excluding gasoline sales.

January 27, 2011
Expanding market shares drive sales for P&G

Procter & Gamble announced on Thursday that second-quarter sales rose 2% as the company works to expand market shares in more parts of the world.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble announced on Thursday that second-quarter sales rose 2% as the company works to expand market shares in more parts of the world.

Net sales for the quarter rose 2% to $21.3 billion, driven by 6% volume growth, which was offset partially by unfavorable foreign exchange and mix impacts. Organic sales grew 3%.

Net earnings dropped 28% to $3.3 billion, or $1.11 per diluted share, compared with $4.7 billion, or $1.49 per diluted share, in the year-ago period. Net earnings from continuing operations totaled $1.11 per share, up 10%.

January 27, 2011
Q4, full-year earnings up for Novartis

Swiss drug maker Novartis posted sales of $14.2 billion for fourth quarter 2010 and $50.6 billion for the year as a whole, according to an earnings report released Thursday.

BASEL, Switzerland — Swiss drug maker Novartis posted sales of $14.2 billion for fourth quarter 2010 and $50.6 billion for the year as a whole, according to an earnings report released Thursday.

That compared with sales of $12.9 billion and $44.3 billion during fourth quarter 2009 and 2009 as a whole, respectively. Profits for the year were nearly $10 billion, an 18% increase from $8.4 billion in 2009, though profits for the quarter decreased by 2%, from fourth quarter 2009’s $2.32 billion to $2.27 billion in fourth quarter 2010.

January 21, 2011
Delhaize moves ahead with New Game Plan

Delhaize Group on Thursday said that while its U.S. revenues dropped 1% to $18.8 billion, the retail conglomerate hopes to keep its business afloat by going forward with its New Game Plan.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Delhaize Group on Thursday said that while its U.S. revenues dropped 1% to $18.8 billion, the retail conglomerate hopes to keep its business afloat by going forward with its New Game Plan.

January 12, 2011
Walgreens’ mission: To be nation’s top source for ‘health and daily living needs,’ leaders say

Bolstered by a strong recent uptrend in sales and earnings and by clear signs that its massive realignment is beginning to bear real fruit, Walgreens’ top executives delivered an upbeat assessment of the company’s progress and its potential as a multichannel retail and healthcare powerhouse at the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting Wednesday.

CHICAGO — Bolstered by a strong recent uptrend in sales and earnings and by clear signs that its massive realignment is beginning to bear real fruit, Walgreens’ top executives delivered an upbeat assessment of the company’s progress and its potential as a multichannel retail and healthcare powerhouse at the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting Wednesday.

January 11, 2011
Supervalu looks to Save-A-Lot banner for growth

There were three takeaways to come out of Supervalu’s third-quarter analyst call Tuesday morning: The deep discount banner Save-A-Lot will be the most significant catalyst for growth going forward; Supervalu aggressively is addressing pricing issues that have had consumers who are more accustomed to the “hi” in the grocer’s "hi-lo" pricing strategy shopping elsewhere; and while traditional Supervalu banners Acme, Shaw’s and even Jewel-Osco do not have a “For Sale” sign on their respective front lawns, at least not yet, they can be had for the right price.

MINNEAPOLIS — There were three takeaways to come out of Supervalu’s third-quarter analyst call Tuesday morning: The deep discount banner Save-A-Lot will be the most significant catalyst for growth going forward; Supervalu aggressively is addressing pricing issues that have had consumers who are more accustomed to the “hi” in the grocer’s "hi-lo" pricing strategy shopping elsewhere; and while traditional Supervalu banners Acme, Shaw’s and even Jewel-Osco do not have a “For Sale” sign on their respective front lawns, at least

January 6, 2011
Costco's sales rise in December

Net sales for December at Costco rose 11% to nearly $9.2 billion for the five weeks ended Jan. 2, compared with the year-ago period.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Net sales for December at Costco rose 11% to nearly $9.2 billion for the five weeks ended Jan. 2, compared with the year-ago period.

Same-store sales rose 4%, while international same-store sales rose 12%.

Costco currently operates 582 warehouses, including 425 in the United States and Puerto Rico.

January 5, 2011
Coming off strong Q1, Walgreens' Dec. sales grow

Shortly after announcing a record-setting first quarter last month, Walgreens reported on Wednesday that its December sales rose 7.5% to $6.8 billion.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Shortly after announcing a record-setting first quarter last month, Walgreens reported on Wednesday that its December sales rose 7.5% to $6.8 billion.

The chain said that Duane Reade stores, which Walgreens acquired in April 2010, contributed 2.5 percentage points.

Meanwhile, Walgreens also raked in a 9.5% increase for its total front-end sales, thanks to a spike in customer traffic and basket size. Pharmacy sales for the chain, which accounted for 58.6% of total sales for the month, saw a 6% boost.

December 23, 2010
Rite Aid expected to make biggest recovery in 2011

Rite Aid stock is expected to make the biggest stock-price recovery in 2011, according to a poll of TheStreet readers.

NEW YORK — Rite Aid stock is expected to make the biggest stock-price recovery in 2011, according to a poll of TheStreet readers.

According to the poll, published Thursday morning on TheStreet.com, 28.2% of voters believe the drug store will experience the largest rally of the most depressed stocks of 2010. This in spite of the fact that Rite Aid earlier this week restated year-end projections following an underperforming quarter.