On February 4, 2020 McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK) reported results for the third quarter ended December 31, 2019 (Press release, McKesson, FEB 4, 2020, View Source [SID1234553845]).
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Fiscal 2020 Third-Quarter and Year-to-Date Result Summary
1Reflects continuing operations attributable to McKesson, net of tax
2Represents a non-GAAP financial measure; refer to the reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures included in accompanying schedules
"We delivered solid operating performance and we are pleased to report third-quarter adjusted earnings results ahead of our expectations," said Brian Tyler, chief executive officer. "McKesson’s unwavering focus on strategic and operational execution is demonstrated in the adjusted operating profit growth we reported in the third quarter across our core operating segments. Additionally, we have deployed meaningful capital toward share repurchases year-to-date, delivering further value to our shareholders. Our outlook for fiscal 2020 Adjusted EPS remains unchanged from the prior guidance we provided on January 13th, 2020."
Third-quarter revenues were $59.2 billion, up 5% from a year ago. On an FX-adjusted basis, revenues grew 6%, primarily driven by growth in the U.S. Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions segment, largely due to branded pharmaceutical price increases and higher volumes from retail national account customers.
Third-quarter earnings per diluted share of $1.06 included a pre- and post-tax charge of $282 million within our European Pharmaceutical Solutions segment for the remeasurement to fair value of assets and liabilities held for sale related to the expected formation of a new German wholesale joint venture with Walgreens Boots Alliance.
Third-quarter Adjusted Earnings per diluted share was $3.81 compared to $3.40 a year ago, an increase of 12%, primarily driven by growth in the U.S. Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions, Medical Surgical and European segments and a lower share count, partially offset by the previously anticipated increase in corporate expenses and a higher tax rate. Prior year third-quarter results included a pre-tax charge of $60 million related to a customer bankruptcy, partially offset by a $17 million pre-tax reversal of an accrued estimated liability related to the New York State Opioid Stewardship Act. Excluding the impact of these prior year items from Adjusted Earnings, third-quarter adjusted results per diluted share increased approximately 7% year-over-year.
For the first nine months of the fiscal year, McKesson returned $2.2 billion of cash to shareholders via $1.9 billion of common stock repurchases and $222 million of dividend payments. During the first nine months of the fiscal year, McKesson used cash from operations of $280 million, and invested $338 million internally, resulting in negative free cash flow of $618 million.
U.S. Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions Segment
Third-quarter revenues were $46.9 billion, up 6%, driven primarily by branded pharmaceutical price increases and higher volumes from retail national account customers, partially offset by branded to generic conversions.
Third-quarter operating profit was $687 million and operating margin was 1.46%. Adjusted operating profit was $658 million, up 11% from a year ago. Prior year third-quarter results included a $60 million pre-tax charge related to a customer bankruptcy, partially offset by a $17 million pre-tax reversal of an accrued estimated liability related to the New York State Opioid Stewardship Act. Excluding the net $43 million impact of these prior year items, adjusted operating profit increased approximately 3%, driven by continued growth in the specialty businesses. Adjusted operating margin was 1.40%, up 6 basis points.
European Pharmaceutical Solutions Segment
Third-quarter revenues were $6.9 billion, flat on a reported basis and up 3% on an FX-adjusted basis, driven primarily by growth in the pharmaceutical distribution business.
Third-quarter operating loss was ($303 million) and operating margin was (4.37)%, primarily driven by a pre- and post-tax charge of $282 million for the remeasurement to fair value of assets and liabilities held for sale related to the expected formation of a new German wholesale joint venture with Walgreens Boots Alliance. Adjusted operating profit was $80 million, up 16%, and adjusted operating margin was 1.15%. On an FX-adjusted basis, adjusted operating profit was $82 million, up 19%, and adjusted operating margin was 1.16%, up 16 basis points, driven in part by expense rationalization.
Medical-Surgical Solutions Segment
Third-quarter revenues were $2.1 billion, up 6%, driven primarily by growth in the Primary Care business, largely due to higher pharmaceutical volumes and an early start to influenza season.
Third-quarter operating profit was $124 million and operating margin was 5.79%. Adjusted operating profit was $184 million, up 8%, and adjusted operating margin was 8.59%, up 14 basis points. The year-over-year increase primarily reflects organic growth in the Primary Care business.
Other remaining businesses
Third-quarter revenues were $3.2 billion, up 6% on a reported basis and up 5% on an FX-adjusted basis, primarily driven by growth in the Canadian business.
Third-quarter operating profit was $61 million. Adjusted operating profit was $214 million, down 4% on both a reported and FX-adjusted basis, as increased investment spend within the MRxTS business was partially offset by growth in the Canadian business.
Company Updates
On February 4, 2020, McKesson’s wholly-owned subsidiary, PF2 SpinCo, Inc., filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) relating to a potential exit of the company from its investment in the Change Healthcare joint venture.
McKesson was selected by the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue to serve as the prime pharmaceutical provider when the current contract expires in August 2020.
On December 12, 2019, McKesson and Walgreens Boots Alliance announced an agreement to create a joint venture that is expected to combine their respective pharmaceutical wholesale businesses in Germany.
For the seventh year in a row, McKesson was honored as one of the "Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality" by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, achieving 100 percent on the HRC’s 2020 Corporate Equality Index (CEI).
McKesson appointed Nancy Flores as Executive Vice President, Chief Information and Technology Officer effective January 13, 2020, following Kathy McElligott’s announced retirement.
Fiscal 2020 Outlook
McKesson reaffirmed fiscal 2020 Adjusted Earnings per diluted share guidance range of $14.60 to $14.80, which was previously narrowed and raised from $14.00 to $14.60 on January 13, 2020.
Conference Call Details
The company has scheduled a conference call for today, Tuesday, February 4th at 8:00 AM ET to discuss the company’s financial results. A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available on McKesson’s Investor Relations website at View Source The conference call can also be accessed by dialing 786-815-8297. The password is ‘McKesson’. A telephonic replay of this conference call will be available for 14 calendar days. For individuals wishing to listen to the replay, the dial-in number is 404-537-3406 and the pass code is 6206708. An archive of the conference call will also be available on the company’s Investor Relations website at View Source
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
GAAP refers to the U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. This press release includes GAAP financial measures as well as Non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted Earnings, FX-Adjusted results and Free Cash Flow which are financial measures not calculated in accordance with GAAP. Refer to the "Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Information" section of the accompanying financial statement tables for the definitions and usefulness of the Company’s Non-GAAP financial measures and the attached schedules for reconciliations of the differences between the Non-GAAP financial measures and their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.
The company does not provide forward-looking guidance on a GAAP basis as McKesson is unable to provide a quantitative reconciliation of this forward-looking non-GAAP measure to the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measure, without unreasonable effort, because McKesson cannot reliably forecast LIFO inventory-related adjustments, gains from antitrust legal settlements, restructuring, impairment and related charges, and other adjustments, which are difficult to predict and estimate. These items are inherently uncertain and depend on various factors, many of which are beyond the company’s control, and as such, any associated estimate and its impact on GAAP performance could vary materially.