Topic: How To Invest

Q: Pat, may I get you opinion on Walgreens as a stock to buy? Thank you.

Article Excerpt

A: Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., $51.77, symbol WBA on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 914.3 million; Market cap: $47.3 billion; www.walgreensbootsalliance.com), is one of the world’s largest operators of retail drugstores, with over 18,500 outlets in 11 countries. It also sells its goods online. In addition, Walgreens owns 27% of AmerisourceBergen Corp. (New York symbol ABC), a leading wholesale distributor of drugs and health-care products to pharmacies, hospitals and clinics. The company took its current form in 2014 when it purchased 45% of European pharmacy chain Alliance Boots GmbH for $6.7 billion in cash and stock. Walgreens later exercised its option to purchase the remaining 55% for $9.5 billion. Switzerland-based Alliance Boots operates over 3,330 health and beauty stores and 625 optical centres. As well, its wholesale drug businesses supply medicines and a range of other health-care products. In 2017, Walgreens acquired 1,932 Rite-Aid drugstores in the U.S. for $4.375 billion. As a result of those purchases, the company’s revenue rose 72.2%, from $76.4 billion in 2014…