Walgreen Boots Stock Price, News & Analysis

Walgreens (WBA) has expanded COVID-19 booster shot eligibility, now offering Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines nationwide following FDA and CDC guidelines. As of September 24, Pfizer booster doses were also authorized. Eligible individuals include seniors, long-term care residents, and those with underlying health conditions. Despite increasing vaccination rates among Hispanic and Black adults, disparities persist. Walgreens aims to address vaccine hesitancy through community-focused initiatives, having administered nearly 60% of COVID vaccines to people of color. Appointments can be scheduled online or via phone.

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) has declared a quarterly dividend of 47.75 cents per share, maintaining the previous quarter's rate and marking a 2.1% increase from last year. The dividend will be payable on December 10, 2021, to shareholders of record as of November 15, 2021. WBA has paid dividends for 356 consecutive quarters and has increased the dividend for 46 consecutive years. This commitment reflects the company’s stability and confidence in its financial outlook.

Walgreens has launched the Flu Index® for the 2021-2022 season, showing a 23% increase in flu activity nationwide compared to last season. This index, now in its eighth year, aims to help communities track flu activity and encourage vaccinations. Las Vegas and Texas markets lead in flu activity due to heightened interactions as COVID restrictions ease. The CDC advises vaccination by the end of October. The index highlights disparities in flu vaccination rates among Black and Hispanic communities, prompting Walgreens to enhance outreach efforts for underserved populations.

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) has launched Walgreens Health, a new consumer-focused healthcare strategy, supported by majority investments in VillageMD and CareCentrix. This initiative aims to enhance primary care and home care services, improving health outcomes and reducing costs. Key objectives include transforming core operations, optimizing capital allocation, and building a high-performance culture. The company anticipates 4% adjusted EPS growth over the next three years, with a flat growth prediction for fiscal 2022. WBA's investments in VillageMD and CareCentrix total $1.19 billion, expanding its presence in the healthcare market.

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) announces a $5.2 billion investment in VillageMD, increasing its ownership stake from 30% to 63%. This investment will enable the opening of over 600 co-located primary care practices within Walgreens stores across more than 30 U.S. markets by 2025, expanding to 1,000 by 2027. The initiative aims to enhance access to primary care, particularly in underserved communities, where more than 75% of Americans live within five miles of a Walgreens location. VillageMD plans to conduct an IPO in 2022.

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) reported strong fourth quarter and fiscal year results, with fourth quarter EPS of $0.41, a 6.4% increase year-over-year, and adjusted EPS up 29.5% to $1.17. Sales from continuing operations rose 12.8% to $34.3 billion, reflecting robust growth across U.S. and International segments. Fiscal 2021 EPS increased significantly to $2.30, with total annual sales of $132.5 billion. Free cash flow for the year was $4.2 billion. The company surpassed its COVID-19 vaccination goal, administering over 34.6 million vaccinations during the fiscal year.

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) has announced two significant executive appointments. Holly May is appointed as the Executive Vice President and Global Chief Human Resources Officer, bringing extensive HR experience from Abercrombie & Fitch and Starbucks. Anita Allemand joins as Chief Transformation and Integration Officer, focusing on healthcare innovation and transformation strategies. Both will report to CEO Roz Brewer. May's start date is set for late October, while Allemand's is October 29, signaling a strategic shift in leadership as the company aims to enhance its healthcare offerings.

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) has reached a significant milestone, distributing life-changing vitamins and minerals to over 300 million women and children worldwide through its partnership with Vitamin Angels since 2013. The company aims to reach 500 million by August 2025. The initiative focuses on providing essential nutrients to at-risk populations, especially in the U.S. and 65 other countries. Additionally, WBA has launched a prenatal vitamin pilot program in Chicago, addressing gaps in access due to inadequate insurance coverage during pregnancy.

No7 Beauty Company, part of Walgreen Boots Alliance, has launched its new Pure Retinol Collection, focusing on gentle skincare solutions. The collection includes a Night Cream and Eye Cream, developed after 15 years of research. Utilizing slow-release encapsulation technology, the products aim to address common concerns like fine lines and dark circles while minimizing irritation. The launch coincides with the ‘We See You’ campaign, emphasizing inclusivity for women historically underrepresented in the beauty sector.