Walgreens Boots Alliance Reports Fiscal 2024 Third Quarter Results

Lowering Guidance in Continued Challenging Environment; Provides Strategic Update 

Third quarter financial highlights

• Third quarter earnings per share (EPS)* was $0.40 compared to earnings per share of $0.14 in the year-ago quarter which included a non-cash impairment of pharmacy license intangible assets in Boots UK
• Adjusted EPS** was $0.63, down 36.6 percent on a constant currency basis compared to the year-ago quarter, including a $0.24 impact from lower sale-leaseback gains, a challenging U.S. retail environment, and recent pharmacy industry trends
• Third quarter sales increased 2.6 percent year-over-year to $36.4 billion, up 2.5 percent on a constant currency basis

Fiscal 2024 guidance

• Lowering fiscal 2024 adjusted EPS** guidance to $2.80 to $2.95 reflecting challenging pharmacy industry trends and a worse-than-expected U.S. consumer environment

Update on strategic review

• Finalizing significant multiyear footprint optimization program to close certain underperforming U.S. stores
• Launching U.S. Retail Pharmacy action plan to invest in and deliver an improved customer and patient experience across channels
• Aligning U.S. Pharmacy and Healthcare organizations for enhanced go-to-market capabilities
• Simplifying and focusing the U.S. Healthcare portfolio

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA) today announced financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2024, which ended May 31, 2024.

Chief Executive Officer Tim Wentworth said:

"We continue to face a difficult operating environment, including persistent pressures on the U.S. consumer and the impact of recent marketplace dynamics which have eroded pharmacy margins. Our results and outlook reflect these headwinds, despite solid performance in both our International and U.S. Healthcare segments.

Informed by our strategic review, we are focused on improving our core business: retail pharmacy, which is central to the future of healthcare. We are addressing critical issues with urgency and working to unlock opportunities for growth. Many of these actions will take time, but I am confident that we have the right team and the right strategy to lead a business turnaround for the Walgreens that our customers and patients need.”

Overview of Third Quarter Results

WBA third quarter sales increased 2.6 percent from the year-ago quarter to $36.4 billion, an increase of 2.5 percent on a constant currency basis, reflecting sales growth across all segments.

Third quarter operating income was $111 million compared to an operating loss of $477 million in the year-ago quarter, an increase of $588 million, which reflects lapping a $431 million non-cash impairment of pharmacy license intangible assets in Boots UK in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted operating income** was $613 million, a decrease of 36.3 percent on a constant currency basis reflecting lower sale-leaseback gains and softer U.S. retail and pharmacy performance, partly offset by cost savings initiatives and improved profitability in the U.S. Healthcare segment.

Net earnings in the third quarter were $344 million compared to net earnings of $118 million in the year-ago quarter, an increase of $225 million reflecting higher operating income. Adjusted net earnings** were $545 million, down 36.5 percent on a constant currency basis, reflecting lower adjusted operating income**.

EPS in the third quarter was $0.40 compared to $0.14 in the year-ago quarter, reflecting an increase of $0.26. Adjusted EPS** was $0.63, reflecting a decrease of 36.6 percent, or $0.36 on both a reported and constant currency basis.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $605 million in the third quarter and free cash flow** was $334 million, a $778 million increase compared with the year-ago quarter, each driven primarily by phasing and optimization of working capital. The increase in free cash flow also benefited from decreased capital expenditures.

Overview of Fiscal 2024 Year-to-Date Results

Sales in the first nine months of fiscal 2024 increased 6.2 percent from the year-ago period to $110.1 billion, an increase of 5.6 percent on a constant currency basis, reflecting growth across all segments.

Operating loss in the first nine months of fiscal 2024 was $13.1 billion compared to an operating loss of $6.4 billion in the year-ago period, an increase in operating loss of $6.7 billion. Operating loss in the current period reflects a $12.4 billion non-cash impairment charge related to VillageMD goodwill, which resulted in a $5.8 billion charge attributable to WBA, net of tax and non-controlling interest. Operating loss in the current period also reflects a $455 million non-cash impairment charge related to certain long-lived assets in the U.S. Retail Pharmacy segment. Prior year operating loss reflects a $6.8 billion pre-tax charge for opioid-related claims and litigation and a $431 million non-cash impairment of pharmacy license intangible assets in Boots UK. Adjusted operating income** was $2.2 billion, a decrease of 31.5 percent on a constant currency basis reflecting a challenging U.S. retail environment, reimbursement pressure and lower sale-leaseback gains, partly offset by cost savings and improved profitability in the U.S. Healthcare segment.

Net loss for the first nine months of fiscal 2024 was $5.6 billion compared to a net loss of $2.9 billion in the year-ago period, an increase in net loss of $2.7 billion, reflecting the non-cash impairment charges and lapping a $1.5 billion gain on sales of Cencora and Option Care Health shares last year. Adjusted net earnings** decreased 24.9 percent, or $712 million to $2.2 billion, down 25.3 percent on a constant currency basis, reflecting lower adjusted operating income** partly offset by a lower adjusted effective tax** rate due to the recognition of deferred tax assets in foreign jurisdictions in the second quarter.

Loss per share for the first nine months of fiscal 2024 was $6.53 compared to a loss per share of $3.36 in the year-ago period, an increase in loss per share of $3.17. Adjusted EPS** decreased 24.9 percent, or $0.83, to $2.49, reflecting a decrease of 25.3 percent on a constant currency basis.

Net cash used for operating activities was $314 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2024 and free cash flow** was negative $1.1 billion, a $1.2 billion decrease compared with the year-ago period, with each driven primarily by lower earnings, $780 million in higher payments related to legal matters and phasing of working capital. The decrease in free cash flow was partly offset by $497 million in decreased capital expenditures.

Business Segments

U.S. Retail Pharmacy

The U.S. Retail Pharmacy segment had third quarter sales of $28.5 billion, an increase of 2.3 percent from the year-ago quarter driven entirely by comparable pharmacy sales, partly offset by a retail decline. Comparable sales increased 3.5 percent from the year-ago quarter.

Pharmacy sales increased 4.4 percent and comparable pharmacy sales increased 5.7 percent compared to the year-ago quarter, benefiting from higher branded drug inflation and script growth. Comparable prescriptions filled in the third quarter, adjusted to 30-day equivalents increased 1.6 percent from the year-ago quarter while comparable prescriptions excluding immunizations increased 1.7 percent. Total prescriptions filled in the quarter, including immunizations, adjusted to 30-day equivalents was 306.4 million, an increase of 0.5 percent versus the prior year quarter. Pharmacy margin was negatively impacted by brand mix impacts and reimbursement pressure.

Retail sales decreased 4.0 percent and comparable retail sales decreased 2.3 percent compared with the year-ago quarter, reflecting a challenging retail environment and continued channel shift. Retail margin was negatively affected by increased promotional activity and higher shrink levels.

Adjusted operating income** decreased 47.9 percent to $501 million compared to $1.0 billion in the year-ago quarter, reflecting lower sale and leaseback gains, a challenging retail environment and reimbursement pressure, net of procurement savings, partly offset by cost savings initiatives.

International

The International segment had third quarter sales of $5.7 billion, an increase of 2.8 percent from the year-ago quarter, including a favorable currency impact of 1.1 percent. Sales increased 1.6 percent on a constant currency basis, with the Germany wholesale business growing 4.9 percent and Boots UK sales growing 1.6 percent.

Boots UK comparable pharmacy sales increased 5.8 percent on a constant currency basis compared with the year-ago quarter. Boots UK comparable retail sales increased 6.0 percent on a constant currency basis compared to the year-ago quarter with growth across all categories, and increased total retail market share. Boots.com continued to perform strongly with sales growing 13.8 percent representing 15.6 percent of Boots total retail sales.

Adjusted operating income decreased 15.8 percent to $175 million, a decrease of 16.6 percent on a constant currency basis compared with the year-ago quarter, due to lapping real estate gains in the year-ago period.

U.S. Healthcare

The U.S. Healthcare segment had third quarter sales of $2.1 billion, an increase of 7.6 percent compared to the year-ago quarter, led by VillageMD and Shields. VillageMD grew 7 percent, reflecting additional lives in risk and fee-for-service. Shields grew 24 percent, driven by growth within existing partnerships.

Operating loss was $220 million compared to an operating loss of $522 million in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted operating loss**, which excludes certain costs related to amortization of acquired intangible assets and stock compensation expense, was $22 million compared to $172 million in the year-ago quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA** of $23 million improved by $136 million versus the prior year quarter and represents the second consecutive quarter of positive adjusted EBITDA** for the segment, driven by cost discipline and growth from VillageMD and Shields.

Conference Call

WBA will hold a conference call to discuss the third quarter results beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time today, June 27, 2024. A live simulcast as well as related presentation materials will be available through WBA’s investor relations website at: https://investor.walgreensbootsalliance.com. A replay of the conference will be archived on the website for at least 12 months after the event.

*All references to net earnings or net loss are to net earnings or net loss attributable to WBA, and all references to EPS are to diluted EPS attributable to WBA.

**"Adjusted," "constant currency" and free cash flow amounts are non-GAAP financial measures. Measures identified as "comparable" constitute key performance indicators. See the appendix to this release for a discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, including a reconciliation to the most closely correlated GAAP measure, and key performance indicators.

*** The Company uses Adjusted operating income (loss) as its principal measure of segment performance as it enhances the Company’s ability to compare past financial performance with current performance and analyze underlying segment performance and trends. The consolidated WBA measure is not determined in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, consolidated operating income. See the appendix to this release for a discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, including a reconciliation to the most closely correlated GAAP measure.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include, without limitation, estimates of and goals for future operating, financial and tax performance and results, including the impact of opioid related claims and litigation settlements, our fiscal year 2024 guidance, outlook and targets and related assumptions and drivers, as well as forward-looking statements concerning the expected execution and effect of our business strategies, including the breadth, timing and impact of the actions related to our strategic review, our ability to successfully turn around the business and return to growth and the potential impacts on our business of COVID-19, the impact of adverse global macroeconomic conditions caused by factors including, among others, inflation, high interest rates, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions and pandemics like COVID-19 on our operations and financial results, the financial performance of our equity method investees, including Cencora, the amount of our goodwill impairment charge (which is based in part on estimates of future performance), the influence of certain holidays and seasonality, our cost-savings and growth initiatives, including statements relating to our expected cost savings under our Transformational Cost Management Program and expansion and future operating and financial results of our U.S. Healthcare segment, including our long-term sales targets and profitability expectations. All statements in the future tense and all statements accompanied by words such as “expect,” “outlook,” “forecast,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “can,” “will,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” "opportunity," “guidance,” "projection," “target,” “aim,” "strive," "enable," "create," "position," continue,” “transform,” “accelerate,” “model,” “long-term,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “may,” “possible,” “assume,” "potential," "preliminary," and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, known or unknown, that could cause actual results to vary materially from those indicated or anticipated.

These risks, assumptions and uncertainties include those described in Item 1A (Risk Factors) of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023, as amended, and in other documents that we file or furnish with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materializes, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements we make or that are made on our behalf are qualified by these cautionary statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made.

We do not undertake, and expressly disclaim, any duty or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement after the date of this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

Please refer to the supplemental information presented below for reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures used in this release to the most comparable GAAP financial measure and related disclosures.

Notes to Editors:

About Walgreens Boots Alliance

Walgreens Boots Alliance (Nasdaq: WBA) is an integrated healthcare, pharmacy and retail leader serving millions of customers and patients every day, with a 170-year heritage of caring for communities. A trusted, global innovator in retail pharmacy with approximately 12,500 locations across the U.S., Europe and Latin America, WBA plays a critical role in the healthcare ecosystem. The Company is reimagining local healthcare and well-being for all as part of its purpose – to create more joyful lives through better health. Through dispensing medicines, improving access to a wide range of health services, providing high quality health and beauty products and offering anytime, anywhere convenience across its digital platforms, WBA is shaping the future of healthcare.

WBA employs more than 330,000 people and has a presence in eight countries through its portfolio of consumer brands: Walgreens, Boots, Duane Reade, the No7 Beauty Company and Benavides in Mexico. Additionally, WBA has a portfolio of healthcare-focused investments located in several countries, including China and the U.S.

The Company is proud of its contributions to healthy communities, a healthy planet, an inclusive workplace and a sustainable marketplace. WBA has been recognized for its commitment to being an inclusive workplace. In fiscal 2023, the Company received a score of 100 from the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, scored 100 percent on the Disability Equality Index for disability inclusion and was named Disability:IN’s 2023 Employer of the Year. In addition, WBA has been recognized for its commitment to operating sustainably as the company is an index component of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).

More Company information is available at www.walgreensbootsalliance.com.

(WBA-ER)

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

REGARDING NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The following information provides reconciliations of the supplemental non-GAAP financial measures, as defined under the SEC rules, presented in this press release to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP). The Company has provided the non-GAAP financial measures in the press release, which are not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP, as supplemental information and in addition to the financial measures that are calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.

These supplemental non-GAAP financial measures are presented because management has evaluated the Company’s financial results both including and excluding the adjusted items or the effects of foreign currency translation, as applicable, and believes that the supplemental non-GAAP financial measures presented provide additional perspective and insights when analyzing the core operating performance of the Company from period to period and trends in the Company’s historical operating results. The Company also uses non-GAAP financial measures as a basis for certain compensation programs it sponsors. These supplemental non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for or as an alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the GAAP financial measures presented in the press release.

The Company does not provide a reconciliation for non-GAAP estimates to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures on a forward-looking basis where it is unable to provide a meaningful or accurate calculation or estimation of reconciling items and the information is not available without unreasonable effort. This is due to the inherent difficulty of forecasting the timing or amount of various items that have not yet occurred, are out of the Company’s control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted, such as unusual one-time charges, tax expenses, and material litigation expenses, and that would impact diluted net earnings per share, the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measure. For the same reasons, the Company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information. Forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures provided without the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures may vary materially from the corresponding GAAP financial measures.

Constant currency

The Company also presents certain information related to current period operating results in “constant currency,” which is a non-GAAP financial measure. These amounts are calculated by translating current period results at the foreign currency exchange rates used in the comparable period in the prior year. The Company presents such constant currency financial information because it has significant operations outside of the U.S. reporting in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and such presentation provides a framework to assess how its business performed excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

Comparable sales

The nine months ended May 31, 2024 comparable sales and prescriptions filled figures for the Company exclude the benefit of this year's leap day.

For the Company's U.S. Retail Pharmacy and International segments, Comparable sales are defined as sales from stores that have been open for at least twelve consecutive months without closure for seven or more consecutive days, including due to looting or store damage, and without a major remodel or being subject to a natural disaster, in the past twelve months as well as e-commerce sales. Comparable sales in constant currency exclude wholesale sales in Germany and sales from dispositions in the current period. E-commerce sales include digitally initiated sales online or through mobile applications. Relocated stores are not included as comparable sales for the first twelve months after the relocation. Acquired stores are not included as comparable sales for the first twelve months after acquisition or conversion, when applicable, whichever is later. Comparable sales, comparable pharmacy sales, comparable retail sales, comparable number of prescriptions and comparable number of 30-day equivalent prescriptions refer to total sales, pharmacy sales, retail sales, number of prescriptions and number of 30-day equivalent prescriptions, respectively. The method of calculating comparable sales varies across the retail industry and our method of calculating comparable sales may not be the same as other retailers’ methods.

With respect to the International segment, comparable sales, comparable pharmacy sales and comparable retail sales, are presented on a constant currency basis, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the discussion above in "Constant currency" for further details on constant currency calculations.

Key Performance Indicators

The Company considers certain metrics, such as comparable sales (in constant currency), comparable pharmacy sales (in constant currency), comparable retail sales (in constant currency), comparable number of prescriptions, comparable prescriptions excluding immunizations, and comparable 30-day equivalent prescriptions to be key performance indicators because the Company’s management has evaluated its results of operations using these metrics and believes that these key performance indicators presented provide additional perspective and insights when analyzing the core operating performance of the Company from period to period and trends in its historical operating results. These key performance indicators should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for or as an alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the GAAP financial measures presented herein. These measures may not be comparable to similarly-titled performance indicators used by other companies.

NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS BY SEGMENT AND ON A CONSOLIDATED BASIS