Walgreens Boots Alliance Exceeds Expectations for Fiscal 2022 First Quarter Earnings and Raises Guidance for Fiscal Year

Delivering Strong Results and Progress on Strategic Priorities

First quarter highlights

• First quarter earnings per share (EPS*) from continuing operations was $4.13, compared with a loss of $0.45 in the year-ago quarter; continuing operations adjusted** EPS increased to $1.68, up 53.1 percent on a constant currency basis
• First quarter sales from continuing operations increased 7.8 percent to $33.9 billion, up 7.6 percent on a constant currency basis
• First quarter operating income from continuing operations increased to $1.3 billion, compared with a loss of $535 million in the year-ago quarter; adjusted operating income from continuing operations increased to $1.8 billion, up 48.5 percent on a constant currency basis
• VillageMD and Shields majority investments closed on November 24th and October 29th, respectively

Strong operational performance

• Results surpassed expectations across business segments, driven by COVID-19 vaccinations and testing, U.S. retail comparable sales up 10.6 percent, and Boots UK retail comparable sales up 16.3 percent
• WBA continues to play a leading role in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, with Walgreens administering over 56 million vaccines to date, including 15.6 million in the first quarter
• Transformational Cost Management Program is on track to deliver $3.3 billion in annual cost savings by fiscal 2024

Fiscal 2022 outlook

• Increasing full year adjusted EPS guidance to low-single digit growth, from flat previously, to reflect first quarter performance and continued positive momentum; now includes 2 percentage point impact from incremental investments in team members
• Outlook continues to include 4 percentage point negative impact from previously planned healthcare investments

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA) today announced financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2022, which ended November 30, 2021.

Chief Executive Officer Rosalind Brewer said:

“First quarter results exceeded our expectations, with a very encouraging performance across all our business segments. I am particularly excited about the progress we’re making in building out Walgreens Health. Our majority investments in VillageMD and Shields closed during the quarter, and we’re rolling out VillageMD primary care co-locations and Walgreens Health Corners at pace. The strong start to the fiscal year reinforces our confidence in the future, and as a result, we are raising our guidance for the full year and increasing investments in our people. Looking ahead, we are well positioned for sustainable, long-term value creation.”

Overview of First Quarter Results

WBA first quarter sales from continuing operations increased 7.8 percent from the year-ago quarter to $33.9 billion, an increase of 7.6 percent on a constant currency basis, reflecting strong comparable sales growth at Walgreens and in the International segment.

Operating income from continuing operations was $1.3 billion in the first quarter compared to an operating loss of $535 million in the year-ago quarter. This was partly driven by a $1.5 billion charge from the company's equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen in the year ago quarter. Adjusted operating income from continuing operations was $1.8 billion, an increase of 48.5 percent on a constant currency basis. The increases reflect strong adjusted gross profit growth across both pharmacy and retail in the United States and a continued rebound in International segment sales and profitability.

Net earnings from continuing operations were $3.6 billion in the first quarter compared to a loss of $391 million from the year-ago quarter, reflecting a $2.5 billion after-tax gain due to the valuation of the company's previously held minority equity and debt investments in VillageMD and Shields in the three months ended November 30, 2021, and a $1.2 billion charge, net of tax, from the company's equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen in the year ago quarter. Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations increased to $1.5 billion, up 53.5 percent on a reported and constant currency basis compared with the year-ago quarter.

EPS from continuing operations in the first quarter was $4.13, compared with a loss of $0.45 in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted EPS from continuing operations was $1.68, an increase of 53.2 percent on a reported basis and an increase of 53.1 percent on a constant currency basis.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $1.1 billion in the first quarter and free cash flow was $645 million, a $118 million decrease compared with the year-ago quarter primarily driven by phasing of working capital, COVID-19 related government support in the year-ago quarter and increased capital expenditures.

Business Highlights

WBA continued to build on its strategy and achieve strong results across its business, including:

Growing the core

• Playing a leading role in COVID-19 vaccinations and testing
  • Walgreens administered 15.6 million vaccinations and 6.5 million tests in 1Q
  • Over 9 million boosters administered to date
  • Largest pediatric vaccine provider in the pharmacy channel
• U.S. retail comparable sales growth of 10.6 percent was the highest in over 20 years
• Strong growth in U.S. omnichannel business with digital sales up 88 percent in 1Q, driven by 3.6 million same day pick-up orders
• MyWalgreens membership at 92.4 million members in 1Q, up 7.2 million since 4Q
• Investing in our team members, to attract, retain, and develop industry-leading talent
• Boots UK delivered 2.0 million flu vaccinations in 1Q, up 150 percent versus last year
• Further development of Boots healthcare services, both in store and online, including mental health support
• Boots UK opened 27 new Beauty halls in regional locations
• Boots online sales nearly doubled versus pre-COVID levels

Developing Walgreens Health

• Closed VillageMD and Shields majority investments; CareCentrix closing expected by the end of 3Q
• Rollout of VillageMD continues with 81 co-located centers now open, and 160+ targeted for CY22 year-end
• 47 Walgreens Health Corners launched to date, including 10 in California in 1Q, on track toward 100+ by CY22 year-end
• Walgreens Health consumer app launched with Blue Shield of California and Clover Health

Refocusing the portfolio

• Consolidated holding in AllianceRx Walgreens Prime from 55% to 100%
• Consolidated holding in German wholesale JV from 70% to 100%

Business Segments

United States:

The United States segment had first quarter sales of $28.0 billion, an increase of 3.2 percent from the year-ago quarter, held back by a decline in the AllianceRx Walgreens Prime business. Comparable sales increased 7.9 percent from the year-ago quarter.

Pharmacy sales increased 1.1 percent. Excluding the AllianceRx Walgreens Prime business, sales grew 5.8 percent in the quarter. Comparable pharmacy sales increased 6.8 percent in the quarter compared to a year-ago, with prescriptions filled increasing by 6.2 percent, including a positive impact of approximately 535 basis points from COVID-19 vaccinations.

Retail sales increased 10.1 percent and comparable retail sales increased 10.6 percent in the first quarter compared with the year-ago quarter. Excluding tobacco and e-cigarettes, comparable retail sales increased 11.7 percent, reflecting broad based growth across all categories. In particular, health and wellness increased 24.7 percent aided by at-home COVID-19 tests and cough cold flu, and beauty and personal care increased 16.6 percent and 11.6 percent, respectively.

Gross profit increased 12.6 percent compared with the year-ago quarter. Adjusted gross profit increased 12.3 percent driven by strong sales growth, partially offset by reimbursement.

Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) increased 6.7 percent compared with the year ago quarter. Adjusted SG&A increased 4.2 percent, driven by investments to support COVID-19 vaccinations and testing, and labor investments, partially offset by savings from the Transformational Cost Management program and timing benefits.

Operating income in the first quarter increased to $1.4 billion compared to a net operating loss of $504 million in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted operating income increased 46.3 percent, to $1.7 billion.

International:

The International segment had first quarter sales of $5.8 billion, an increase of 35.8 percent from the year-ago quarter, including a favorable currency impact of 1.6 percent. Sales increased 34.2 percent on a constant currency basis, including higher sales associated with the formation of company's wholesale joint venture in Germany. Excluding this benefit, International segment sales on a constant currency basis increased 8.6 percent, reflecting the ongoing recovery in the UK market, following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in July.

Boots UK comparable pharmacy sales increased 8.8 percent compared with the year-ago quarter, reflecting stronger demand for pharmacy services. Boots UK comparable retail sales increased 16.3 percent compared with the year-ago quarter. Footfall improved but traffic still remains below pre-COVID-19 levels. Boots.com continued to perform well, with digital sales in the first quarter almost doubling compared with the equivalent quarter pre-COVID-19.

Gross profit increased 21.9 percent compared with the same quarter a year ago, including a favorable currency impact of 3.7 percent. Adjusted gross profit increased 18.2 percent on a constant currency basis, reflecting strong UK growth, and higher gross profit associated with inclusion of a full quarter of results from the company's wholesale joint venture in Germany, partly offset by favorable timing of NHS reimbursement in the year-ago quarter.

SG&A in the quarter increased 21.1 percent from the year-ago quarter to $1.2 billion, including an adverse currency impact of 4.0 percent. Adjusted SG&A increased 11.4 percent on a constant currency basis. The increase in both SG&A and adjusted SG&A reflects higher costs associated with the company's wholesale joint venture in Germany, and COVID-19 related government support in the year-ago quarter.

Operating income grew 39.8 percent, including an adverse currency impact of 3.8 percent, to $54 million. Adjusted operating income grew strongly to $164 million, an increase of 88.6 percent on a constant currency basis, compared with the year-ago quarter.

Walgreens Health:

In conjunction with the launch of its new consumer-centric healthcare strategy, in fiscal 2022, the company announced the creation of a new operating segment, Walgreens Health. As a result, beginning in fiscal year 2022, the company is now aligned into three reportable segments: United States, International and Walgreens Health.

The company’s Walgreens Health segment is a consumer-centric, technology-enabled healthcare business that engages consumers through a personalized, omni-channel experience across the care journey. Walgreens Health delivers improved health outcomes and lower costs for payors and providers by delivering care through owned and partnered assets.

The Walgreens Health segment currently consists of:

• A majority position in VillageMD, a leading, national provider of value-based primary care services;
• A majority position in Shields, a specialty pharmacy integrator and accelerator for hospitals; and
• The Walgreens Health organically-developed business that contracts with payors and providers to deliver clinical healthcare services to their members and members’ caregivers through both digital and physical channels.

The Walgreens Health segment had first quarter sales of $51 million resulting from the acquisition of Shields on October 29 and VillageMD on November 24.

Gross profit was $20 million and adjusted gross profit was $20 million, both reflecting results from Shields and VillageMD. First quarter SG&A was $65 million, and adjusted SG&A was $33 million reflecting the two acquisitions and acceleration of investments in Walgreens Health. Operating loss was $45 million. Adjusted operating loss was $13 million.

Conference Call

WBA will hold a Virtual Investor Conference to discuss strategic priorities for the future, first quarter earnings results beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time today, 2022. A live simulcast as well as related presentation materials will be available through WBA’s investor relations website at: http://investor.walgreensbootsalliance.com. A replay of the conference will be archived on the website for at least 12 months after the event.

*All references to EPS and net earnings are to diluted EPS and diluted net earnings, in each case attributable to WBA.

**"Adjusted," "constant currency" and free cash flow amounts are non-GAAP financial measures. See the appendix to this release for a discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, including a reconciliation to the most closely correlated GAAP measure.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include, without limitation, estimates of and goals for future operating, financial and tax performance and results, including our fiscal year 2022 guidance, our long-term growth algorithm and related assumptions and drivers, as well as forward-looking statements concerning the expected execution and effect of our business strategies, the potential impacts on our business of the spread and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, our cost-savings and growth initiatives, including statements relating to our expected cost savings under our Transformational Cost Management and expansion of our Walgreens Health segment. All statements in the future tense and all statements accompanied by words such as “expect,” “outlook,” “forecast,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “can,” “will,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “guidance,” “target,” “aim,” continue,” “transform,” “accelerate,” “model,” “long-term,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “may,” “possible,” “assume,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, known or unknown, that could cause actual results to vary materially from those indicated or anticipated.

These risks, assumptions and uncertainties include those described in Item 1A (Risk Factors) of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021, as amended, and in other documents that we file or furnish with the Securities and Exchange Commission. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materializes, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements we make or that are made on our behalf are qualified by these cautionary statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made.

We do not undertake, and expressly disclaim, any duty or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement after the date of this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

Please refer to the supplemental information presented below for reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures used in this release to the most comparable GAAP financial measure and related disclosures.

Notes to Editors:

About Walgreens Boots Alliance

Walgreens Boots Alliance (Nasdaq: WBA) is an integrated healthcare, pharmacy and retail leader serving millions of customers and patients every day, with a 170-year heritage of caring for communities.

A trusted, global innovator in retail pharmacy with approximately 13,000 locations across the U.S., Europe and Latin America, WBA plays a critical role in the healthcare ecosystem. The company is reimagining local healthcare and well-being for all as part of its purpose – to create more joyful lives through better health. Through dispensing medicines, improving access to a wide range of health services, providing high quality health and beauty products and offering anytime, anywhere convenience across its digital platforms, WBA is shaping the future of healthcare.

WBA has more than 315,000 team members and a presence in nine countries through its portfolio of consumer brands: Walgreens, Boots, Duane Reade, the No7 Beauty Company, Benavides in Mexico and Ahumada in Chile. Additionally, WBA has a portfolio of healthcare-focused investments located in several countries, including China and the U.S.

The company is proud of its contributions to healthy communities, a healthy planet, an inclusive workplace and a sustainable marketplace. WBA has been recognized for its commitment to operating sustainably: it is an index component of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) and was named to the 100 Best Corporate Citizens 2021.

More company information is available at www.walgreensbootsalliance.com.

(WBA-ER)

WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

REGARDING NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(in millions, except per share amounts)

The following information provides reconciliations of the supplemental non-GAAP financial measures, as defined under SEC rules, presented in this press release to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP). The company has provided the non-GAAP financial measures in the press release, which are not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP, as supplemental information and in addition to the financial measures that are calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.

These supplemental non-GAAP financial measures are presented because management has evaluated the company’s financial results both including and excluding the adjusted items or the effects of foreign currency translation, as applicable, and believes that the supplemental non-GAAP financial measures presented provide additional perspective and insights when analyzing the core operating performance of the company’s business from period to period and trends in the company’s historical operating results. These supplemental non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for or as an alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the GAAP financial measures presented in the press release.

The company does not provide a reconciliation for non-GAAP estimates on a forward-looking basis where it is unable to provide a meaningful or accurate calculation or estimation of reconciling items and the information is not available without unreasonable effort. This is due to the inherent difficulty of forecasting the timing or amount of various items that have not yet occurred, are out of the company’s control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted, and that would impact diluted net earnings per share, the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measure. For the same reasons, the company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information. Forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures provided without the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures may vary materially from the corresponding GAAP financial measures.

Constant currency

The company also presents certain information related to current period operating results in “constant currency,” which is a non-GAAP financial measure. These amounts are calculated by translating current period results at the foreign currency exchange rates used in the comparable period in the prior year. The company presents such constant currency financial information because it has significant operations outside of the United States reporting in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and this presentation provides a framework to assess how its business performed excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

Comparable sales

For the company's United States and International segments, comparable sales are defined as sales from stores that have been open for at least 12 consecutive months without closure for seven or more consecutive days, including due to looting or store damage, and without a major remodel or being subject to a natural disaster in the past 12 months as well as e-commerce sales. E-commerce sales include digitally initiated sales online or through mobile applications. Relocated stores are not included as comparable stores for the first 12 months after the relocation. Acquired stores are not included as comparable sales for the first 12 months after acquisition or conversion, when applicable, whichever is later. Comparable sales, comparable pharmacy sales, comparable retail sales, comparable number of prescriptions and comparable number of 30-day equivalent prescriptions refer to total sales, pharmacy sales, retail sales, number of prescriptions and number of 30-day equivalent prescriptions, respectively. Comparable retail sales for previous periods have been restated to include e-commerce sales. The method of calculating comparable sales varies across the retail industry. As a result, the company's method of calculating comparable sales may not be the same as other retailers’ methods.

With respect to the International segment, comparable sales, comparable pharmacy sales and comparable retail sales, are presented on a constant currency basis, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the discussion above in "Constant currency" for further details on constant currency calculations.

Key Performance Indicators

The company considers certain metrics, including all comparable metrics, number of prescriptions, number of 30-day equivalent prescriptions and number of locations at period end, to be key performance indicators because the company's management has evaluated its results of operations using these metrics and believes that these key performance indicators presented provide additional perspective and insights when analyzing the core operating performance of the company from period to period and trends in its historical operating results. These key performance indicators should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for or as an alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the GAAP financial measures presented herein. These measures may not be comparable to similarly-titled performance indicators used by other companies.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220106005276/en/