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Here's Why You Should Hold Cencora Stock in Your Portfolio Now
ZACKSยท 2025-09-05 13:11
Core Insights - Cencora, Inc. (COR) is positioned for growth due to a strong U.S. Healthcare Solutions business and new product launches, despite facing intense competition [1][12] - The company's shares have increased by 30.3% this year, outperforming the industry and the S&P 500 Index [1] Company Overview - Cencora is among the largest pharmaceutical service companies globally, focusing on drug distribution and related services to lower healthcare costs and enhance patient outcomes, with a market capitalization of $57.22 billion [2] Financial Performance - Earnings per share (EPS) rose by 19.8% year over year to $4.00, while revenues increased by 8.7% to $80.7 billion [5] - The company anticipates a 13.2% improvement in its bottom line over the next five years, with an average earnings surprise of 6.19% over the last four quarters [3] Growth Drivers - The U.S. Healthcare Solutions segment has shown strong momentum, with specialty products and GLP-1 therapies being key growth drivers [4][10] - Cencora raised its fiscal 2025 outlook, estimating adjusted EPS between $15.85 and $16.00, reflecting a 15-16% growth from the previous year [6][8] - The Healthcare Solutions segment is projected to grow by 9-10%, while International Healthcare Solutions is expected to grow by 6-7% [9] Strategic Initiatives - Cencora's acquisition of Retina Consultants of America enhances its specialty capabilities beyond oncology, aligning with its pharmaceutical-centric strategy [9] - Investments in advanced distribution infrastructure and technology are improving logistics and compliance with regulatory standards [10] Competitive Landscape - The company faces significant competition in pharmaceutical distribution and healthcare services, particularly in the generic drug sector [12] - Profitability is under pressure from increased sales of lower-margin GLP-1 products and a decline in COVID-related revenues [13] Estimate Trends - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2025 earnings has risen from $15.81 to $15.92 per share in the past 30 days, with fourth-quarter revenue estimates at $83.91 billion, indicating a 6.1% year-over-year improvement [14]