On November 8, 2018 Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH) reported first quarter fiscal year 2019 revenues of $35.2 billion, an increase of 8 percent (Press release, Cardinal Health, NOV 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234530990]). The company also reported growth in GAAP operating earnings of 211 percent to $816 million and a decrease in non-GAAP operating earnings of 11 percent to $542 million. GAAP operating earnings included a gain of $508 million ($378 million after-tax) related to the naviHealth divestiture. GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations increased 439 percent to $1.94, while non-GAAP diluted EPS increased 18 percent to $1.29.

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"We are pleased that the first quarter provided a solid start to fiscal year 2019," said Mike Kaufmann, CEO of Cardinal Health. "Operating performance came in as expected, and we are on track in executing on our strategic initiatives to deliver increased value to our shareholders, our customers and their patients. We look forward to making further strides over the balance of the year and building on Cardinal Health’s essential role in healthcare."

Tax rate

During the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, GAAP effective tax rates were 19.4 percent and 34.2 percent, respectively, and non-GAAP effective tax rates were 14.0 percent and 34.1 percent, respectively.

This quarter’s lower effective tax rates are attributable to the lower U.S. federal income tax rate due to the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and the approximately $0.18 per share positive impact of discrete tax benefits primarily related to international legal entity changes.

Segment results
Pharmaceutical segment
First quarter revenue for the Pharmaceutical segment increased 9 percent to $31.4 billion due to sales growth from Pharmaceutical Distribution and Specialty Solutions customers, partially offset by the divestiture of the company’s China distribution business.

Fiscal year 2019 outlook
The company does not provide GAAP EPS outlook because it is unable to reliably forecast most of the items that are excluded from GAAP EPS to calculate non-GAAP EPS. These items could cause EPS to differ materially from non-GAAP EPS. See "Use of Non-GAAP Measures" following the attached schedules for additional explanation.

The company reaffirmed its fiscal year 2019 guidance range for non-GAAP diluted EPS of $4.90 to $5.15.

Additional first-quarter and recent highlights

Announced Victor Crawford will join the company as chief executive officer of the Pharmaceutical segment on November 12

Exited transition services agreement (TSA) with Medtronic for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region during the last week of October and on track for TSA exits in the remaining regions in early 2019

The Cardinal Health board of directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.4763 per share. The dividend will be payable on January 15, 2019 to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 2, 2019

Recently completed a $600 million share repurchase program, and this week, the board of directors approved a three-year authorization to repurchase up to an additional $1 billion of Cardinal Health common shares, which will expire on December 31, 2021. The company is now authorized to repurchase up to $1.3 billion of its common shares

Sponsored inaugural Women Pharmacist Day on October 12, in conjunction with National Pharmacist Month, to recognize the important contributions women pharmacists make to delivering quality care to patients

Webcast

Cardinal Health will host a webcast today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern to discuss first quarter results. To access the webcast and corresponding slide presentation, go to the Investor Relations page at ir.cardinalhealth.com. No access code is required.

Presentation slides and a webcast replay will be available on the Cardinal Health website at ir.cardinalhealth.com until November 7, 2019.

Upcoming webcasted investor events

Credit Suisse 27th Annual Healthcare Conference on November 14 at 8:35 a.m. Mountain in Scottsdale, Ariz.

37th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on January 7-10, 2019 in San Francisco, Calif.