Walgreen Boots Stock Price, News & Analysis

Western Union (NYSE: WU) and Walgreens (NASDAQ: WBA) announced a renewed five-year agreement, allowing customers to access Western Union's Money Transfer and bill payment services at approximately 9,000 Walgreens locations across the U.S. This partnership reflects both companies' commitment to delivering convenient financial services. Western Union's global network enables fast money transfers, enhancing customer engagement. The collaboration highlights Western Union's ongoing investment in expanding its omni-channel product offerings to meet diverse consumer financial needs.

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) has appointed Bryan C. Hanson to its board of directors, effective October 27, 2022. With over 30 years in healthcare and technology, Hanson brings significant expertise to the company, serving on both the compensation and leadership performance committee and the finance and technology committee. Currently, he is the president and CEO of Zimmer Biomet. WBA's executive chairman, Stefano Pessina, and CEO Roz Brewer expressed optimism about his contribution to WBA's consumer-centric healthcare strategy.

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.