Smart acquisitions boost McKesson

Article Excerpt

MCKESSON CORP. $107 (New York symbol MCK; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 232.9 million; Market cap: $24.9 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.2; Dividend yield: 0.7%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www. mckesson.com) is the largest wholesale drug distributor in the U.S. and Canada. It also owns 49% of Mexico’s largest drug distributor. McKesson’s clients include 40,000 pharmacies, as well as doctor’s offices, hospitals and clinics. It also sells surgical tools and health and beauty products. The company continues to expand its technology solutions division, which makes computers and software that help clinics and pharmacies manage their drug inventories. This division accounts for just 3% of McKesson’s revenue but supplies 15% of its earnings. Sales and profits have soared McKesson’s revenue rose 20.7%, from $101.7 billion in 2008 to $122.7 billion in 2012 (fiscal years end March 31). Earnings jumped 43.3%, from $1.0 billion to $1.5 billion. Earnings per share shot up 70.0%, from $3.43 to $5.83, on fewer shares outstanding…