(Reuters) - Drugstore chain Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc (O:WBA), formed by Walgreens' takeover of Europe's Alliance Boots in December, reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit, helped by higher prescription sales and lower costs.
Walgreens Boots Alliance also bought Avon Products Inc's (N:AVP) U.K.-based Liz Earle skincare business for 140 million pounds ($215.32 million).
Net income attributable to Walgreens Boots rose to $1.30 billion, or $1.18 per share, in the third quarter ended May 31, from $714 million, or 74 cents per share, a year earlier.
Excluding items, the company earned $1.02 per share, beating the average analysts estimate of 87 cents, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
Net sales rose 48 percent to $28.80 billion, driven by the merger with Alliance Boots.