NASDAQ$WBA

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc · Q4 2020 earnings

Q4 2020 earnings · · Investor relations

Briefing

Walgreens reported results at the high end of expectations, adapting to changing customer needs amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Walgreens Boots Alliance reported a 2.3% increase in sales to $34.7 billion for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020. However, operating income decreased by 26.0% to $650 million, and EPS decreased by 42.8% to $0.43, impacted by COVID-19. The company introduced fiscal 2021 guidance of low single-digit growth in adjusted EPS at constant currency rates.

  • Sales increased 2.3 percent to $34.7 billion, up 2.3 percent on a constant currency basis.
  • Operating income decreased 26.0 percent to $650 million; Adjusted operating income decreased 27.7 percent to $1.1 billion, down 27.4 percent on a constant currency basis.
  • EPS decreased 42.8 percent to $0.43; Adjusted EPS decreased 28.2 percent to $1.02, down 27.9 percent on a constant currency basis; reflecting an estimated adverse COVID-19 impact of approximately $0.46.
  • Company introduced fiscal 2021 guidance of low single-digit growth in adjusted EPS at constant currency rates

Headline financials

Total Revenue

$34.7B

Previous: $34B+2.3%
EPS (adj)

$1.02

Previous: $1.43-28.7%
Capital Expenditures

$412M

Previous: $456M-9.6%
Free Cash Flow

$1.7B

Previous: $1.92B-11.6%
Net Income

$373M

Previous: $677M-44.9%
Operating Income

$650M

Previous: $878M-26.0%
Gross Profit

$6.8B

Previous: $7.23B-5.9%
Cash & Equivalents

$516M

Previous: $1.02B-49.6%
Total Assets

$87.2B

Previous: $67.6B+29.0%
Stock-Based Comp

$36M

Previous: $32M+12.5%

Revenue & EPS history

Walgreens · Revenue · Quarterly

$34.7B

Q4 2020+2.3%vs Q4 2019
Beat estimate in 12 of 16 quarters(75%)
ActualEstimate

Revenue by segment

Walgreens · $29.3B total across 2 segments · Q4 2020

  • U.S. Pharmacy
    $27B
  • International
    $2.3B

Forward guidance

The company introduced fiscal 2021 guidance of low single-digit growth in adjusted earnings per share at constant currency rates.

Tailwinds

  • Anticipates a gradual reduction in COVID-19 impacts.
  • Expects strong adjusted EPS growth in the second half of fiscal 2021 as recovery plans take hold.
  • Significant investments in fiscal 2021 are expected to accelerate the company’s customer-centric approach.
  • Focus on transforming omnichannel capabilities and offerings across retail and healthcare.
  • Investments are expected to contribute to the second-half growth profile.

Headwinds

  • First half results will continue to be negatively impacted when compared with the pre-COVID-19 first half of fiscal 2020.
  • The evolution of the pandemic remains uncertain.
  • COVID-19 could present both incremental risks
  • COVID-19 could present opportunities for the company’s business.
  • Guidance anticipates a continued gradual reduction in COVID-19 impacts

Historical earnings impact

How earnings announcements have historically affected this stock's price.

Avg. return before/after earnings

Based on 16 quarterly earnings reports

Historical avg

-0.1%

Avg return

Earnings day

+0.4%

Avg return

5 days after

-1.9%

Avg return

30 days after

53%

33 / 62 earnings

Positive

+29.1%

Q1 2025

Best reaction

-22.7%

Q3 2024

Worst reaction

Earnings price reactions
QuarterReport dateReaction (Day 0)+5 days+30 days
Q4 2025
Q3 2025+0.4%+1.5%+2.7%
Q2 2025-1.1%+0.5%+4.1%
Q1 2025+29.1%+36.1%+10.0%
Q4 2024+23.0%+18.7%-2.0%
Q3 2024-22.7%-26.0%-24.5%
Q2 2024-7.0%-10.9%-15.7%
Q1 2024-2.2%-0.6%-11.4%
Q4 2023+2.9%+2.1%-7.3%
Q3 2023-7.9%-10.2%-3.0%
Q2 2023+3.7%+5.0%+6.6%
Q1 2023-2.3%-2.1%-1.1%
Q4 2022+4.1%+3.8%+29.4%
Q3 2022-5.7%-5.7%-2.9%
Q2 2022-7.6%-8.4%-10.6%
Q1 2022-0.3%+0.6%-10.0%
Q4 2021+3.5%+1.5%+4.8%
Q3 2021-8.4%
Q2 2021+3.3%
Q1 2021+5.1%
Q4 2020+4.2%
Q3 2020-5.1%
Q2 2020-5.4%
Q1 2020-7.8%
Q4 2019+1.5%
Q3 2019+4.4%
Q2 2019-13.6%
Q1 2019-8.2%
Q4 2018+1.6%
Q3 2018-9.4%
Q2 2018-0.7%
Q1 2018-3.4%
Q4 2017-0.3%
Q3 2017+1.6%
Q2 2017-1.0%
Q1 2017+0.1%
Q4 2016+5.7%
Q3 2016-3.6%
Q2 2016-3.0%
Q1 2016+1.8%
Q4 2015-11.9%
Q3 2015+8.4%
Q1 2014+4.9%
Q2 2015+4.9%
Q4 2013+4.9%
Q1 2015+3.2%
Q4 2014-0.9%
Q3 2014+0.6%
Q2 2014+1.0%
Q3 2013-1.0%
Q2 2013+0.4%
Q1 2013+1.6%
Q4 2012+1.4%
Q3 2012-3.2%
Q2 2012-1.9%
Q1 2012+4.1%
Q4 2011+0.4%
Q3 2011-0.9%
Q2 2011+1.8%
Q1 2010+2.5%
Q4 2010+1.8%
Q3 2010-0.1%
Q2 2009+0.5%

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