Topic: How To Invest

Pat: Can I have your views on Walgreen as an investment? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

Walgreen Co., $30.43, symbol WAG on New York (Shares outstanding: 992.4 million; Market cap: $30.2 billion), is the largest U.S. drugstore chain in terms of sales. Walgreen’s retail drugstores sell prescription and non-prescription drugs. The company operates 6,902 drugstores in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Walgreen also sells general merchandise, such as beauty, personal-care and household items, as well as candy, photofinishing and greeting cards. In addition to retail drugstores, Walgreen operates 373 work-site drugstores, 112 home-care facilities, 17 specialty pharmacies and two mail-order drug stores. Specialty pharmacies deliver medication, follow up with clients and help with insurance verification for specific conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and viral hepatitis. Aside from the above, Walgreen’s operates its Health Services division. This includes Health Initiatives, which manages drug benefits and SeniorMed, which provides pharmacy services to long-term care facilities. Walgreen’s Health and Wellness division includes Take Care Health Systems, which has two branches: 1)…