WBA Stock Recent News

Walgreens has agreed to pay up to $350 million to resolve claims that the company illegally filled millions of invalid prescriptions for opioids.

DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Walgreens is calling on the public to help in the fight against prescription drug abuse by participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 26th, 2025. Drug take-back days are reserved annually for the safe disposal of unwanted, unused, or expired medications. Walgreens has more than 1,500 kiosks across 46 states and Washington, D.C. These kiosks are a convenient way to ensure medications are not accidentally or intentionally misused.

Walgreens Boots Alliance and its subsidiaries have agreed to pay $300 million to settle U.S. allegations that the pharmacy chain illegally filled millions of invalid prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances, the U.S. Justice Department said on Monday.

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) has seen solid earnings estimate revision activity over the past month, and belongs to a strong industry as well.

Walgreens Boots Alliance faces significant challenges, including rising inflation, heavy competition, and decreasing profitability, making it a Hold if the acquisition by Sycamore goes through. The company's financial health is concerning, with declining net income, negative free cash flow, and high debt levels, increasing the vulnerability to financial downturns. WBA's lack of its own Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) puts it at a disadvantage compared to CVS, which owns Caremark and can better manage drug prices.

Sometimes, the stock market gives investors the opportunity to play in the corporate leagues, where deals are made not on the stock chart or tape but at the negotiating table when markets are closed and everyone goes home. Today, a potential buyout deal is being discussed by a private equity firm looking to eat up and potentially turn around one of America's darlings in the retail sector, though one that has recently become a sort of “fallen angel,” so to speak.

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA 0.75%) is in a pending acquisition with Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm, to take the struggling pharmacy chain private. It could end a years-long struggle for the company, which has tried to adapt to modern times and shrinking foot traffic in its stores.

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Walgreens Boots Alliance faces significant challenges, including declining margins, rising labor costs, and fierce competition from online pharmacies and retail giants like Amazon and Walmart. The proposed $11.45 per share acquisition by Sycamore Partners, with an additional potential $3 per share, offers a 37% premium over the current share price. Despite a 4.1% revenue increase, profits remain elusive due to substantial write-downs and weaker sales of high-margin non-prescription items.

WBA delivers better-than-expected earnings and revenues in the second quarter of fiscal 2025.