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CVS Health's (CVS) Q1 Earnings Top Estimates, EPS View Up
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CVS Health Corporation’s (CVS - Free Report) first-quarter 2019 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.62 increased 9.5% year over year and also exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8%. The quarter’s adjusted EPS considered certain transaction and integration costs pertaining to the buyout of Aetna and the purchase of Omnicare. It also adjusted certain store rationalization charge related to the planned closure of 46 underperforming retail pharmacy stores during the second quarter of 2019.
On a reported basis, the company registered earnings of $1.09 per share, up 11.2% from the year-ago period.
Net revenues in the first quarter surged 34.8% year over year to $61.65 billion. The same also topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $60.47 billion.
Quarter in Detail
Effective first-quarter 2019, the company has realigned the composition of its segments. As a result of this move, the company’s SilverScript Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) has shifted from the Pharmacy Services segment to the Health Care Benefits segment. In addition, the mail order and specialty pharmacy operations of Aetna have been transitioned from the Health Care Benefits segment to the Pharmacy Services segment.
CVS Health Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Pharmacy Services revenues inched up 3.1% to $33.56 billion in the reported quarter, driven by growth in total pharmacy claims volume andthe brand name drug price inflation. This was, however, partially offset by a continued client price compressionand an increased generic dispensing rate.
Total pharmacy claims processed increased 2.8% on a 30-day equivalent basis, attributable to net new business and the steady adoption of Maintenance Choice offerings.
Revenues from CVS Health’s Retail/LTC were nudged up by 3.3% year over year to $21.12 billion. Per the company, the result was based on increased prescription volume and branded drug price inflation, partially offset by a persistent reimbursement pressure and the impact of recent generic introductions. Front store revenues rose 22.7% in the reported quarter, primarily banking on improved health product sales.
Total prescription volume grew 5.5% on a 30-day equivalent basis, boostedby the continued uptake of patient care programs and collaborations with PBMs as well as the preferred status in a number of Medicare Part D networks.
Following the closing of CVS Health’s acquisition of Aetna, the company has integrated Aetna’s Health Care segment to its business and renamed it as Health Care Benefits segment. In the reported quarter, the company registered revenues of $17.87 billion within this segment.
Gross profit skyrocketed 196.2% to $24.39 billion. Accordingly, gross margin expanded 2157 bps to 39.6%. Adjusted operating margin in the quarter under review expanded 1893 bps to 26.2%.
Outlook
CVS Health has updated its 2019 guidance.
Adjusted EPS expectation has been raised to the band of $6.75-$6.90 from the earlier-provided range of $6.68-$6.88. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $6.78, within but close to the lower end of the company’s guided range. This apart, its 2019 adjusted operating profit estimate has been narrowed to the $15-$15.2 billion band from the previous view of $14.8-$15.2 billion.
Further, the company anticipates cash flow from operations from $9.8 billion to $10.3 billion (unchanged).
The company has also issued outlook for the second quarter of 2019. Adjusted EPS is projected in the range of $1.68-$1.72.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings of $1.68 meets the lower end of the guided range.
Our Take
CVS Health ended the first quarter on a promising note with both earnings and revenues trumping the respective Zacks Consensus Estimates. Moreover, year-over-year growth in the top line was driven by a strong Pharmacy Services segment, benefiting from the upside in specialty services. The company’s recently introduced Health Care Benefits segment following the Aetna acquisition also holds immense promise.
Additionally, solid year-over-year Retail/LTC comparisons were encouraging. However, the LTC business is facing industry-wide challenges. The raised EPS projection for 2019 further buoys optimism on the stock.
Stryker delivered first-quarter 2019 EPS of $1.88, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.2%. Meanwhile, revenues of $3.52 billion matched estimates.
Abbott reported first-quarter 2019 adjusted EPS of 63 cents, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.3%. Also, worldwide sales of $7.54 billion came above the consensus mark of $7.47 billion.
CONMED posted first-quarter 2019 EPS of 57 cents, which exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 54 cents. Revenues of $218.4 million too surpassed the consensus estimate of $213 million.
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A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 7 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
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CVS Health's (CVS) Q1 Earnings Top Estimates, EPS View Up
CVS Health Corporation’s (CVS - Free Report) first-quarter 2019 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.62 increased 9.5% year over year and also exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8%. The quarter’s adjusted EPS considered certain transaction and integration costs pertaining to the buyout of Aetna and the purchase of Omnicare. It also adjusted certain store rationalization charge related to the planned closure of 46 underperforming retail pharmacy stores during the second quarter of 2019.
On a reported basis, the company registered earnings of $1.09 per share, up 11.2% from the year-ago period.
Net revenues in the first quarter surged 34.8% year over year to $61.65 billion. The same also topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $60.47 billion.
Quarter in Detail
Effective first-quarter 2019, the company has realigned the composition of its segments. As a result of this move, the company’s SilverScript Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) has shifted from the Pharmacy Services segment to the Health Care Benefits segment. In addition, the mail order and specialty pharmacy operations of Aetna have been transitioned from the Health Care Benefits segment to the Pharmacy Services segment.
CVS Health Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
CVS Health Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | CVS Health Corporation Quote
Pharmacy Services revenues inched up 3.1% to $33.56 billion in the reported quarter, driven by growth in total pharmacy claims volume andthe brand name drug price inflation. This was, however, partially offset by a continued client price compressionand an increased generic dispensing rate.
Total pharmacy claims processed increased 2.8% on a 30-day equivalent basis, attributable to net new business and the steady adoption of Maintenance Choice offerings.
Revenues from CVS Health’s Retail/LTC were nudged up by 3.3% year over year to $21.12 billion. Per the company, the result was based on increased prescription volume and branded drug price inflation, partially offset by a persistent reimbursement pressure and the impact of recent generic introductions. Front store revenues rose 22.7% in the reported quarter, primarily banking on improved health product sales.
Total prescription volume grew 5.5% on a 30-day equivalent basis, boostedby the continued uptake of patient care programs and collaborations with PBMs as well as the preferred status in a number of Medicare Part D networks.
Following the closing of CVS Health’s acquisition of Aetna, the company has integrated Aetna’s Health Care segment to its business and renamed it as Health Care Benefits segment. In the reported quarter, the company registered revenues of $17.87 billion within this segment.
Gross profit skyrocketed 196.2% to $24.39 billion. Accordingly, gross margin expanded 2157 bps to 39.6%. Adjusted operating margin in the quarter under review expanded 1893 bps to 26.2%.
Outlook
CVS Health has updated its 2019 guidance.
Adjusted EPS expectation has been raised to the band of $6.75-$6.90 from the earlier-provided range of $6.68-$6.88. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $6.78, within but close to the lower end of the company’s guided range. This apart, its 2019 adjusted operating profit estimate has been narrowed to the $15-$15.2 billion band from the previous view of $14.8-$15.2 billion.
Further, the company anticipates cash flow from operations from $9.8 billion to $10.3 billion (unchanged).
The company has also issued outlook for the second quarter of 2019. Adjusted EPS is projected in the range of $1.68-$1.72.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings of $1.68 meets the lower end of the guided range.
Our Take
CVS Health ended the first quarter on a promising note with both earnings and revenues trumping the respective Zacks Consensus Estimates. Moreover, year-over-year growth in the top line was driven by a strong Pharmacy Services segment, benefiting from the upside in specialty services. The company’s recently introduced Health Care Benefits segment following the Aetna acquisition also holds immense promise.
Additionally, solid year-over-year Retail/LTC comparisons were encouraging. However, the LTC business is facing industry-wide challenges. The raised EPS projection for 2019 further buoys optimism on the stock.
Zacks Rank & Key Picks
CVS Health currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks having posted solid results this earnings season are Stryker Corp. (SYK - Free Report) , Abbott Laboratories (ABT - Free Report) and CONMED Corp. (CNMD - Free Report) , each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Stryker delivered first-quarter 2019 EPS of $1.88, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.2%. Meanwhile, revenues of $3.52 billion matched estimates.
Abbott reported first-quarter 2019 adjusted EPS of 63 cents, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.3%. Also, worldwide sales of $7.54 billion came above the consensus mark of $7.47 billion.
CONMED posted first-quarter 2019 EPS of 57 cents, which exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 54 cents. Revenues of $218.4 million too surpassed the consensus estimate of $213 million.
Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation
Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.
A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 7 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
See 7 breakthrough stocks now>>