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BofA keeps buy rating on McKesson, positive on strategic decision

EditorNatashya Angelica
Published 05/09/2024, 14:19
Updated 05/09/2024, 15:13
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On Thursday, BofA Securities expressed continued confidence in McKesson Corp (NYSE:MCK) shares, maintaining a Buy rating and a price target of $635.00. The endorsement follows McKesson's strategic decision to focus on investment in the rapidly expanding sectors of oncology and biopharma services.

The firm's analysis suggests that while the growth rate of the Canadian pharmacy market is uncertain, the oncology and biopharma services markets are expected to see robust growth ranging from high-single to low-double digits for the foreseeable future.

This positive outlook is supported by McKesson's recent acquisition of Florida Cancer Specialists, which was announced the previous Thursday. The acquisition is significant, adding an estimated $3.6 billion in oncology spending to McKesson's platform. This move is part of a broader strategy by McKesson to concentrate on areas with higher growth potential, which is expected to yield durable growth over the coming years.

In addition to expanding its oncology footprint, McKesson is also looking to streamline its operations. The sale of its Canadian businesses is seen as a step towards managing its selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses more efficiently. This move is also indicative of McKesson's strategy to reduce its international presence.

McKesson's Canadian operations are estimated to represent approximately 4% of its total revenue, or $12.3 billion for the fiscal year 2024. Some of this revenue will be retained following the sale of certain Canadian business components. BofA Securities reaffirms its Buy rating, signaling confidence in McKesson's strategic direction and the potential for continued growth.

In other recent news, McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK) continues to make strategic moves, maintaining its Buy rating and a stock price target of $652.00 following its acquisition of a controlling interest in Core Ventures. The acquisition, valued at $2.49 billion, is expected to consolidate Florida Cancer Specialists' procurement operations, enhancing McKesson's capabilities in the healthcare industry.

TD Cowen analysts suggest that the transaction could positively impact McKesson's adjusted earnings per share (EPS), potentially increasing it by about 1% for the fiscal year 2025 and 2% for the fiscal year 2026.

McKesson also reported a robust start to fiscal 2025, with first-quarter revenues reaching $79.3 billion, a 6% increase from the previous year. The company's adjusted earnings per diluted share (EPS) rose by 8% to $7.88, leading to an updated full-year guidance. In addition, McKesson announced a 15% increase in its quarterly dividend and approved an additional $4 billion for share repurchases.

These recent developments indicate McKesson's commitment to enhancing community-based oncology care and improving patient access, affordability, and adherence to medications through technology-enabled solutions.

As the deal progresses, McKesson's market position is expected to be strengthened by the integration of Florida Cancer Specialist's procurement, marking a significant move in the company's ongoing efforts to expand its services and capabilities within the healthcare industry.

InvestingPro Insights

In light of BofA Securities' endorsement of McKesson Corp (NYSE:MCK), recent data from InvestingPro provides additional context for investors considering the company's stock. McKesson has demonstrated a commitment to shareholder returns, as evidenced by its history of share buybacks and the fact that it has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years, with dividends maintained for 31 years in total. This could provide reassurance about the company's stability and long-term investor value.

Analyzing McKesson's financial health, the company operates with a moderate level of debt and its cash flows can sufficiently cover interest payments, suggesting financial resilience. However, it is important to note that analysts have revised their earnings expectations downwards for the upcoming period, which may warrant further investigation by potential investors.

From a valuation perspective, McKesson is trading at a low revenue valuation multiple, which could be attractive to investors looking for value opportunities. The company's market cap stands at $74.08 billion, with a P/E ratio of 25.42, reflecting its current earnings. For those interested in further analysis, InvestingPro offers additional tips and insights on McKesson, which can be found at https://www.investing.com/pro/MCK.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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