Cencora stock enters fiscal 2027 with specialty-led growth outlook
π Cencora reported fourth-quarter revenue of $88.4 billion, a 5.5% increase from the prior-year quarter.
π° Adjusted diluted earnings per share surged 21.4% to $4.66 in the fourth quarter, excluding acquisition and restructuring costs.
π Management forecasts fiscal 2027 adjusted EPS growth of 8% to 10%, reaching $19.40 to $19.75 per share.
π¬ Specialty pharmaceutical and provider services are designated as the core growth driver with projected revenue expansion of 9% to 14%.
π΅ The board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.66, representing a 10% increase from the previous quarter.
π Cencora plans approximately $1.25 billion in additional share repurchases for fiscal 2027 alongside $3.5 billion in adjusted free cash flow.
π€ The company expects to close the MWI Animal Health merger with Covetrus by March 31, 2027.
πΌ Cencora intends to complete the sale of its Profarma stake during the first fiscal quarter of 2027.
- Cencora reported a significant 21.4% increase in adjusted diluted earnings per share to $4.66 for the fourth quarter, driven by higher gross profit and the OneOncology acquisition.
- The company raised its quarterly dividend by 10% to $0.66 per share and plans substantial additional share repurchases of approximately $1.25 billion for fiscal 2027.
- Management projects strong growth in its specialty pharmaceutical segment, expecting revenue to expand 9% to 14% and operating income to grow 18% to 21% in fiscal 2027.
- Full-year fiscal results showed robust performance with revenue rising 5.0% to $337.4 billion and adjusted operating income growing 14.0% to $4.8 billion.
- The fourth-quarter GAAP earnings were impacted by the absence of a $723.9 million goodwill impairment charge recorded in the prior-year period, which artificially inflated the current quarter's comparison.