Walgreens Stock Slides as Analysts Question Store-Closure Impact

Stock Performance and Analyst Actions - Walgreens Boots Alliance stock tumbled 6.9% to close at $9.73 on Tuesday following a price target cut by TD Cowen from $16 to $14 [1] - The stock has declined 63% year-to-date in 2024, despite a 15% surge on October 15 following the strategic announcement [2][3] Earnings and Profit Forecasts - TD Cowen reduced its full-year adjusted EPS forecast for Walgreens to $1.54 from $1.71 for fiscal 2025, citing the impact of store closures [1] - Analysts anticipate further year-over-year EPS decline in fiscal 2026 but expect a return to earnings growth by fiscal 2027 [1] Store Closure Strategy - Walgreens plans to close approximately 1,200 underperforming stores over the next three years, with 500 closures expected in fiscal 2025 [2] - The company claims the initial closures will be "immediately accretive to adjusted EPS and free cash flow" [2] - The market initially reacted positively to the store optimization plan, but TD Cowen's revised outlook raises questions about the timing and extent of profitability improvements [2]