Walgreen Boots Stock Price, News & Analysis

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) has declared a quarterly dividend of 48 cents per share, unchanged from the previous quarter and representing a 0.5% increase from the same quarter last year. The payment date is set for December 12, 2022, with record date November 15, 2022. This marks the company's 360th consecutive quarter of dividend payments and 47 years of raised dividends, showcasing its long-standing commitment to shareholder returns.

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) announced that CEO Roz Brewer and CFO James Kehoe will present at the Credit Suisse 31st Annual Healthcare Conference on November 9, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific time in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. The presentation will be available via a live webcast on the WBA investor relations website. WBA, a leader in integrated healthcare and retail pharmacy, operates approximately 13,000 locations globally and is committed to improving health services and community well-being.

Walgreens has announced a significant update to its retail pharmacy operations, removing task-based metrics from performance reviews for its 24,000+ pharmacists. This initiative aims to enhance patient care and experiences by allowing pharmacists to focus on clinical services rather than administrative tasks. The company has invested over $190 million in fiscal year 2022 and plans an additional $265 million for fiscal year 2023 to support its pharmacies. These changes align with Walgreens' broader strategy to improve healthcare delivery and community engagement.

Walgreens launched the 2022-2023 Flu Index to track flu activity, showing it is over 10 times higher compared to last season and has doubled in the last two weeks. This initiative aims to encourage flu vaccinations amid rising flu cases across the United States. Notably, Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi have reported the highest flu activity. The CDC recommends flu shots for everyone aged 6 months and older, especially before the holiday season.

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) reported its fourth quarter and fiscal year results for 2022, highlighting a loss per share of $0.48, a decline from earnings of $0.41 in the prior year. Adjusted EPS fell by 31.8% to $0.80. Sales for the fourth quarter totaled $32.4 billion, down 5.3% year-over-year. Despite challenges, WBA raised its long-term U.S. Healthcare sales target to $11-$12 billion by fiscal year 2025, predicting low-teens adjusted EPS growth. The company's management expressed confidence in its strategic transformation towards becoming a consumer-centric healthcare leader.

Walgreens announces the availability of updated COVID-19 boosters, authorized by the FDA and recommended by the CDC, for individuals aged 5 and older at select locations. The boosters provide enhanced protection against COVID-19 variants, including Omicron BA.4 and BA.5. Parents are encouraged to schedule appointments for their children online or via the Walgreens app. With rising COVID-19 cases in the UK, Walgreens emphasizes vaccination as a critical preventive measure. The company has administered over 70 million COVID-19 vaccinations and is noted as the largest pediatric vaccine provider among retail pharmacies.

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) has announced its plan to fully acquire CareCentrix for approximately $392 million, enhancing its presence in the $75 billion homecare sector. This acquisition follows WBA's previous 55% investment in CareCentrix in August 2022. The deal is expected to close by March 2023, subject to customary conditions. CareCentrix manages care for over 19 million members and generated pro forma sales of $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2021. The move aligns with WBA's strategy to transform into a consumer-centric healthcare company.

Walgreens has partnered with Lexie Hearing to offer Lexie Lumen hearing aids over-the-counter at Walgreens stores nationwide starting October 17. This initiative is a response to the OTC Hearing Aid Act, allowing consumers to buy hearing aids without a prescription. Priced at $799 or as low as $39 per month, the hearing aids come with a complete solution including batteries and a 45-day money-back guarantee. The collaboration aims to make affordable hearing aids more accessible to the approximately 37.5 million Americans with hearing difficulties.

Walgreens has announced its commitment as a founding sponsor of the Sustainable Medicines Partnership (SMP), aimed at promoting sustainable medicine practices over a four-year period. The SMP will focus on integrated projects to reduce waste and environmental impact, guided by six sustainability pillars. Walgreens has previously disposed of over 3 million pounds of unused medications through its safe disposal program. The partnership aligns with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals and includes collaboration with various stakeholders to measure and optimize the carbon footprint of medicines.