Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc (WBA)

[bar1080]

Walgreen's 10-year Dividend History

 Nov 18, 2020	0.468 Dividend 
 Aug 18, 2020	0.468 Dividend 
 May 19, 2020	0.458 Dividend 
 Feb 18, 2020	0.458 Dividend 
 Nov 15, 2019	0.458 Dividend 
 Aug 19, 2019	0.458 Dividend 
 May 17, 2019	0.44 Dividend 
 Feb 14, 2019	0.44 Dividend 
 Nov 08, 2018	0.44 Dividend 
 Aug 17, 2018	0.44 Dividend 
 May 17, 2018	0.4 Dividend 
 Feb 14, 2018	0.4 Dividend 
 Nov 10, 2017	0.4 Dividend 
 Aug 16, 2017	0.4 Dividend 
 May 16, 2017	0.375 Dividend 
 Feb 13, 2017	0.375 Dividend 
 Nov 15, 2016	0.375 Dividend 
 Aug 17, 2016	0.375 Dividend 
 May 16, 2016	0.36 Dividend 
 Feb 16, 2016	0.36 Dividend 
 Nov 12, 2015	0.36 Dividend 
 Aug 17, 2015	0.36 Dividend 
 May 19, 2015	0.338 Dividend 
 Feb 13, 2015	0.338 Dividend 
 Nov 13, 2014	0.338 Dividend 
 Aug 19, 2014	0.338 Dividend 
 May 19, 2014	0.315 Dividend 
 Feb 13, 2014	0.315 Dividend 
 Nov 14, 2013	0.315 Dividend 
 Aug 16, 2013	0.315 Dividend 
 May 17, 2013	0.275 Dividend 
 Feb 13, 2013	0.275 Dividend 
 Nov 07, 2012	0.275 Dividend 
 Aug 15, 2012	0.275 Dividend 
 May 17, 2012	0.225 Dividend 
 Feb 15, 2012	0.225 Dividend 
 Nov 09, 2011	0.225 Dividend 
 Aug 17, 2011	0.225 Dividend 
 May 18, 2011	0.175 Dividend 
 Feb 16, 2011	0.175 Dividend 
 Nov 10, 2010	0.175 Dividend 
 Aug 17, 2010	0.175 Dividend 
 May 18, 2010	0.138 Dividend 
 

[bar1080]

A breath of fresh air for this tired, damaged business. Most still remember its Theranos debacle. Good to replace the very old Stefano Pessina. [age 79]" ...will make Brewer the only Black female in the top executive post of a Fortune 500 company."

Rosalind Brewer is age 58.

From SA: "Walgreens Boots taps Starbucks exec as new CEO." As usual with SA, the comments at the end are the best part...
https://seekingalpha.com/news/3654697-walgreens-boots-taps-starbucks-exec-as-new-ceo

[Stock_Barber]

Why would that make it soar?

[bar1080]

WBA Soars AH: "Walgreens Appoints Rosalind Brewer CEO, and Stefano Pessina as Executive Chairman"

"Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA) today announced the appointment of Rosalind (Roz) Brewer as the company’s Chief Executive Officer, effective on March 15, 2021. Brewer will also join the WBA Board of Directors upon assuming the role. She succeeds Stefano Pessina who, as previously announced, will transition to the role of Executive Chairman of the Board of WBA.

Pessina has served as the CEO of the combined company for six years following the merger between Walgreens and Alliance Boots in December 2014. During his tenure, he transformed and modernized the company into a global pharmacy, health and wellness leader, significantly expanding WBA’s retail footprint and investing in digitalization."

"Before her time at Starbucks, Brewer worked at Sam’s Club from 2012 to 2017. She made history by becoming the first woman and first African American to lead a Walmart division. She is currently ranked #27 on Fortune’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business."

"Roz earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Spelman College and attended Wharton’s Advanced Management Program and Stanford University’s Directors’ College."

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/walgreens-boots-alliance-appoints-rosalind-235800368.html

[Prudent Capitalist]

Excellent! WBA shares will continue to recover and in time return to its more normal historical trading range far above these levels, IMO.

[bar1080]

"Following President-elect Biden’s COVID-19 Update, Walgreens issued the following statement from John Standley, Walgreens president."

"Walgreens applauds President-elect Biden plan to accelerate vaccine distribution efforts by utilizing pharmacies across the country. With our nationwide footprint, extensive vaccine experience, trusted community presence and pharmacy expertise, Walgreens is well-positioned to administer COVID-19 vaccines and help our nation emerge from this pandemic.

While we have been vaccinating our most vulnerable population in long-term care facilities since late December, our team members embedded in the communities we serve stand ready, willing and able to vaccinate in our stores. We look forward to working with the president-elect to expand vaccines in a way that is convenient and equitable for all Americans."

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/walgreens-statement-support-president-elect-021000457.html

[bar1080]

Talk on network TV today about expanding the role of private clinics in getting CV vaccines to the public. Wags (or CVS) not mentioned, but a clinic in a grocery chain was shown.

Ridiculous that many people who want or need the vaccine are having trouble getting it.

Walgreen's stock up 5% today!

[Prudent Capitalist]

Guggenheim also ups WBA target to $55

[Prudent Capitalist]

Walgreens Stock Is Now a 'Value Opportunity,' Says Analyst -- Barrons.com

[Prudent Capitalist]

Baird ups WBA price target to $55 and upgrades to Outperform. Several other upgrades.

[Prudent Capitalist]

WBA is still way undervalued based on the fundamentals. As you pointed out over the weekend, 8.7 forward PE and 4.2% dividend.

[bar1080]

Amazing. WBA Up 4.4% in a terrible market.

[bar1080]

My Finviz screener software has WBA's FORWARD P/E as 8.7 based on next year expectations. Current div yield 4.2%

[Prudent Capitalist]

Even with WBA being up 8% today, WBA is currently trading at a PE of less than 10 times the consensus earnings forecast for 2021. These shares remain undervalued IMO.

[bar1080]

"Walgreens stock rises after adjusted earnings, sales beat expectations"

"Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. stock rose 4% in Thursday premarket trading after the pharmacy retailer reported fiscal first quarter adjusted earnings per share and sales that beat the Street.

Walgreens reported a net loss of $308.0 million, or 36 cents per share, after net income of $845.0 million, or 95 cents per share, a year ago. Adjusted EPS fell 11.2% year-over-year to $1.22, but beat the FactSet consensus for $1.03. Adjusted EPS included a COVID-19 impact of 26 cents to 30 cents per share. Sales of $36.3 billion were up from $34.3 billion a year ago, and ahead of the FactSet consensus for $34.9 billion. Retail pharmacy sales in the U.S. totaled $27.2 billion, up 3.9% from the previous year. Same-store sales rose 3.7%, and prescriptions filled increased 2.7% in comparable stores. Total prescriptions filled were up 1.1%. Retail pharmacy international sales were $2.6 billion, down 6.2% year-over-year.

Walgreens maintained its fiscal 2021 guidance for adjusted EPS to grow in the low-single digits. The FactSet consensus is for EPS of $4.81, suggesting 1.5% growth. Walgreens announced Wednesday that it sold the majority of its Alliance Healthcare pharmacy business to AmerisourceBergen Corp. Walgreens shares have slumped 27.4% over the last year while the benchmark S&P 500 index has gained 15.8% for the period."

https://finance.yahoo.com/m/8d47124f-8e5a-3e75-b0a1-345f97ef06f9/walgreens-stock-rises-after.html

[Prudent Capitalist]

WBA +4.51%. As you know I have felt for some time now that WBA was seriously undervalued down here for longer term investors.

[bar1080]

Jeesh, Dow up 500 points. Almost to 31,000! No record highs for my individual stocks but many are close. And of course my beloved index funds are soaring.

[Prudent Capitalist]

I have several up around 7% or more, e.g. CAT, BAC, WFC, etc. CAT is +$12.51 trading at an all time high.

[bar1080]

The market LOVES everything today. ALL of my stocks are up. Three more than 4%.

[Prudent Capitalist]

The deal and transaction announced today could potentially be related to a potential future deal, but at the very least is a strategic move for WBA and facilitates a re-focusing on growth and transformation of the core retail pharmacy business. The market likes it thus far.

[Prudent Capitalist]

Barrons.com (Andrew Bary) Yesterday (1/4/21): Why Berkshire Hathaway Will Bounce Back Strong This Year

Berkshire is also sitting on $145 billion of cash and equivalents, giving investors some sleep-at-night comfort.

Looking ahead to 2021, it is possible that Buffett may find a large acquisition. Two possibilities are Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) and Kroger (KR), leading companies in out-of-favor industries.

[bar1080]

I can't find anything about BRK perhaps buying WBA. There was some chatter about that last year. Did read yesterday about those three pulling out of healthcare, but their plan never amounted to much.

Buffett got stung badly by his British grocery chain acquisition, Tesco, a few years ago.

I can still see him doing something with Boeing.

[Prudent Capitalist]

Nice boost in the share price from the news out yesterday that Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JP Morgan are shutting down their joint healthcare venture, Haven. Also interesting to note the Barrons.com article yesterday on why Berkshire Hathaway may be a great bounce back investment in 2021, wherein the 2 most likely possibilities mentioned for a BRK acquisition in 2021 were Kroger and Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA).

[Gustave]

Stores will be packed, major foot traffic due to COVID-19 vaccines! An easy 30% increase in share price for investors!

[Stock_Barber]

Blew right through that target!

[Stock_Barber]

The amazing thing is... that is very old news!

[bar1080]

Several favorable news items came from WBA in the past few days. CVS and WBA will be among the first to give covid shots and WBA is expanding its healthcare clinics

[retired early]

It's all about store traffic $$. Incentive to go to Walgreens. Shop and save your life at same time. WIN-WIN :)

[Prudent Capitalist]

The dividend here with WBA is still a huge positive for investors. Even with WBA trading up above $42 (+6%) today, the dividend yield is right about 4.5% which is strong.

[Nebuchadnezzar]

WBA still way undervalued

[Nebuchadnezzar]

buying this dip-way oversold from amazon news

[ClayTrader]

* * $WBA Video Chart 11-17-2020 * *

Link to Video - click here to watch the technical chart video

[bar1080]

Good point, I'm still holding -- barely. My wife got some kind of shot in a Walgreen's store about two years ago and it went very well. But WBA remains the Dog of my 19-stock portfolio.

"it may have something to do with the distribution and administering of the Vaccine."

[Stock_Barber]

I am thinking the same thing!

[Prudent Capitalist]

+9% today and WBA and BA are fueling the DOW's rise. I do not see any specific news, but suspect it may have something to do with the distribution and administering of the Vaccine when it comes out.

[Prudent Capitalist]

In addition to weakness in the U.K., WBA management noted that the lack of travel in the US, in particular to large cities, is negatively impacting revenue, although the increase in the revenue side was a positive.

[Prudent Capitalist]

+3% here for WBA shares on an overall red/down day in the markets is strong recognition of the earnings Beat and positive report this am.

[Prudent Capitalist]

$42 Price Target for WBA shares, and Hold/neutral ratings maintained by Credit Suisse and CFRA (f/k/a S&P Global Markets) post-earnings release.

[Prudent Capitalist]

Great quarter thanks to the U.S. It remains clear that what dragged down WBA's share price and continues to hold it back is Europe, primarily the UK, and Brexit has also negatively impacted things. In hindsight, WAG probably should not have let Stephano Pessina lure them into the Boots merger and combination. That having been said, in time WBA should ultimately return to its more normal trading range in the $60 - $80 area.

[bar1080]

"Walgreens Tops Q4 Earnings Forecast, Sees 2021 Profit Growth Despite Pandemic"

"Walgreens Boots Alliance posted stronger-than-expected fourth quarter earnings Thursday and said profits in the coming year should continue to grow despite the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Walgreens Boots said adjusted profits for the three months ending in September, the group's fiscal fourth quarter, were pegged at $1.02 per share, down 28.7% from the same period last year but six cents ahead of the Street consensus forecast. Group revenues, the Walgreens said, rose 2.3% to $34.7 billion, just ahead of analysts' estimates of a $34.37 billion tally."

"Comparable U.S. store sales for the group's retail pharmacy business rose 3.6%, Walgreen said, with total revenues also up 3.6% to $27 billion.

Walgreens Boots said adjusted profits for the coming 2021 year should grow in the "low single-digit' percentage range, although the first half of the year will be negatively impacted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.“

https://finance.yahoo.com/m/a8c14ff1-8c85-3c27-bd5e-52e262570211/walgreens-boots-tops-q4.html

[bar1080]

Why?

[biotech_researcher]

WBA needs to be removed from the S&P index

[conix]

WBC Chart

[Stock_Barber]

Nope... read the filings!

[biotech_researcher]

They must be borrowing- taking on more debt - to help pay the dividend. Like Exxon does..

[Prudent Capitalist]

Agree. but the financial metrics and performance remain solid here. Tough having WBA shares languishing down at these levels, but I submit that is more about perception and the overall negative view toward brick and mortar pharmacy operations. And, there is the fact that Europe and the Boots end of the operations is dragging things down significantly. Between Brexit and COVID, the European side of the business has not fared well.

[bar1080]

That payout increase maintains WBA's status as a dividend Aristocrat.

[bar1080]

Pleasantly shocked that Walgreens just upped its payout... about 2%. Tiny, but the first increase among my stocks since Cv-19 took off in March.

"Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. on Thursday said its board raised the quarterly dividend by 2.2% to 46.75 cents from 45.75 cents.

The new payout, equal to $1.87 a year, represents an annual yield of about 4.42% based on Wednesday's closing price of $42.29, up from about 4.33%.

The Deerfield, Ill., retail and wholesale pharmacy said the increased dividend is payable Sept. 11 to shareholders of record Aug. 19."

https://www.morningstar.com/news/dow-jones/202007095675/walgreens-boots-raises-quarterly-dividend-by-22

[bar1080]

WalMART pharmacists close for lunch the last I checked. You can't just turn over a pharmacy, loaded with drugs, to anyone. Did you know that Walmart and Walgreens store managers can't even get into their own pharmacies without a pharmacist key-holder to open it.

[Prudent Capitalist]

Say what? Walgreen's is now closing the pharmacies in stores in the US for an hour each day "so the pharmacists can eat lunch". Doesn't make sense to me. Why not eat in shifts and schedule breaks so as not to have to close the pharmacy departments entirely. Or, if there is no pharmacist, then leave staff to deliver scripts that have already been filled to customers, but maybe that wouldn't be permitted if the licensed professional was not actually present in the department. Does anyone know whether WBA's pharmacists in the US are unionized? That would be the only thing I could think of that could be behind this curious move, i.e. something negotiated in a new union contract, etc.