Buying Walgreens Boots Alliance Stock

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc’s share price has been volatile since it confirmed that the company will not sell mifepristone-the first medication in a two-part abortion pill regimen-in any state where it is legal. This is a clear sign that the company is in the crosshairs of political controversy.

In its earnings report, the company lowered full-year adjusted earnings per share guidance. It cited lower demand for Covid-19 vaccinations and other macroeconomic headwinds.

Cost-Cutting Efforts

Walgreens stock Alliance is trying to turn around its fortunes after a tough quarter, and one way it hopes to do that is by cutting costs. The company announced a cost management program that it expects to save more than $1 billion annually within three years. The program includes a series of store and warehouse closures and other initiatives. It will also cut employee headcount by more than 10%. The program aims to improve efficiency and boost sales growth.

In the third quarter, a combination of factors weighed on Walgreens, including a drop in Covid-19 vaccine sales and lower spending by consumers. The company’s retail pharmacy division saw sales decline slightly in the period, while its drugstore-based healthcare segment was flat. Nevertheless, WBA posted revenue growth of nearly 3% on a constant currency basis and adjusted earnings per share rose a little over 4%.

During its earnings call this week, WBA CFO James Kehoe said the company is continuing to work on cost-cutting efforts. He also said that the company plans to close 150 stores in the United States and 300 in the UK. This is part of a larger effort to save $4.1 billion by 2024, including at least $800 million in savings in the U.S. The company is also looking for other ways to save money, such as by streamlining operations and partnering with new customers.

The company also is looking to bolster its online presence by entering into partnerships with various technology companies and insurance providers. It recently signed a partnership with Verily, the life-sciences unit of Alphabet, Google’s parent company. The partnership will allow the companies to collaborate on projects that will help keep people healthy and save them money.

However, despite these efforts, WBA’s net debt load will limit its financial flexibility during challenging times. In fact, the company suspended its share repurchase program during the COVID-19 pandemic to conserve cash. This move will likely hurt the company’s dividend coverage on a forward-looking basis. Nonetheless, the company’s ability to generate significant free cash flows should offer some protection during this difficult time.

Healthcare Business

Walgreens is making a big push into healthcare, and it may take a while for the new division to become profitable. But it could be a great way to get more consumers into its stores, which can generate higher revenue than a typical pharmacy. The company has already made a series of investments in the health care sector, including the acquisitions of primary care clinic VillageMD, home infusion provider Option Care, and Shields Health Solutions. In addition, it has been working to streamline its costs through a transformational cost management program.

The company is bringing equitable, personalized whole-person healthcare to communities across America through its trusted consumer relationships and local presence, scale, national network, care teams, and partnerships with payors and providers. The company hopes its efforts will help its customers improve their health outcomes and reduce their costs.

In the fourth quarter, WBA’s total revenues were up 8.9% on a constant currency basis, and adjusted earnings per share rose by nearly 4% year-over-year. The strong results were despite the COVID-19 pandemic and lower demand for cough and cold products. However, the company’s pharmacy sales were still up 4% compared to last year.

During the quarter, WBA also reported that it had taken an impairment charge of $1.6 billion related to its healthcare investments, which included a writedown on the value of its pharmacy-benefit management business. In addition, the company incurred a loss of $3.72 billion largely due to expenses associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and litigation related to opioid-related lawsuits.

The good news is that the company expects to be able to make its healthcare business profitable by fiscal 2024, which ends in August of next year. However, the company will have to face competition from retailers like Amazon and Walmart that are stepping up their investments in healthcare.

Investors are not very optimistic about the company’s future, and the stock is trading at a low valuation. Nevertheless, it is worth keeping an eye on the company as it continues to invest in its healthcare business and implement its transformational cost-saving programs.

Dividends

Walgreens Boots Alliance pays dividends to shareholders on a quarterly basis. The last dividend payment was $0.48 per share, paid on September 12, 2023. The ex-dividend date was August 18, 2023. The yield is 6.59%. WBA has increased its dividends for 48 consecutive years, which is a great sign of stability and growth potential. However, I wouldn’t suggest buying the stock solely for its dividend payout. The company has a lot on its plate right now, including lofty goals in healthcare and expanding into primary care. This can put a strain on its free cash flow, which may affect future dividend payments.

Investors can expect a modest increase in the company’s dividend this year, but it is unlikely to reach 5%. The company is investing billions in its healthcare business, which will probably require a lot of free cash flow. The company also has a lot of debt, which could make it difficult to grow its dividend at a high rate.

The company’s low profit margin means that there is a lot of volatility in its earnings. Its fiscal Q3 earnings report disappointed investors by lowering adjusted EPS guidance for the full fiscal year to $4.55. The company blamed weaker-than-expected macroeconomic conditions and a shift in consumer spending patterns. However, WBA’s strong revenue growth and cost-cutting efforts should help it to offset these challenges in the long run.

While WBA’s dividend is higher than the S&P 500 average, the company may not be able to raise its dividend at a rapid pace. The company has a lot of work to do to become a healthcare giant and compete with CVS Health, which is expanding into primary care. In addition, it will need to continue cutting costs and investing in new areas. Despite this, WBA’s attractive dividend yield and low stock price make it a good buy for income investors.

Value

Valuations are an essential part of business, not just for companies themselves but also for investors. They help determine a company’s worth and compare it to the competition. A valuation is a comprehensive assessment of a company that takes into account various factors, such as a business’s current assets, liabilities, and future cash flows. A good valuation will help you identify a company’s growth potential and forecast its value in the future.

The value of walgreens stock can be calculated using different methods, including the market cap and enterprise value. The former is the share price of a publicly-held company multiplied by its total number of shares outstanding, while the latter includes other important items such as long-term debt and book value of preferred stock. The latter is a more accurate measure of a company’s net worth, and is often used in conjunction with financial metrics to gauge an investment’s potential for growth.

Moreover, the value of walgreens stock can be measured by analyzing the company’s balance sheet. This will give you a clear picture of the company’s assets and its operating cash flow, which is important for making informed investments. You can also compare the company’s balance sheet to its competitors’ to get an idea of how profitable they are.

In addition to evaluating the value of walgreens stock, you should consider its current market share and industry competitiveness. These factors can significantly affect a stock’s price, and may influence the overall profitability of the company. For example, if the company has a large share of its industry’s market, it is likely to have more revenue than its competitors.

You can invest in walgreens stock through several online brokerage services, banks, investment account aggregators and robo-advisors. However, the best way to invest in walgreens stock is by signing up for an account with Public, a free digital platform that provides you with diversified portfolios and personalized guidance. To open an account, visit the Public website or download the app on your mobile device. Once you have an account, simply enter walgreens stock into the search bar and click “purchase.” You’ll then be able to select your desired quantity.