Walgreens Boots Alliance announced financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2023, which ended November 30, 2022.
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WBA first quarter sales decreased 1.5 percent from the year-ago quarter to $33.4 billion, an increase of 1.1 percent on a constant currency basis.
Excluding the negative impact from AllianceRx Walgreens of 485 basis points and the positive contributions from U.S. Healthcare M&A of 280 basis points, sales growth was 3.2 percent on a constant currency basis.
Operating loss was $6.2 billion in the first quarter compared to operating income of $1.3 billion in the year-ago quarter.
Operating loss in the quarter reflects a $6.5 billion pre-tax charge for opioid-related claims and litigation.
Adjusted operating income was $1.0 billion, a decrease of 42.2 percent on a constant currency basis, reflecting lower volumes of COVID-19 vaccinations and testing compared to the peak prior year period, planned payroll and IT investments in U.S. Retail Pharmacy and growth investments in U.S. Healthcare.
This was partly offset by improved retail contributions in the U.S. and International.
Net loss in the first quarter was $3.7 billion compared to net income of $3.6 billion in the year-ago quarter.
This decrease is driven by a $5.2 billion after-tax charge for opioid-related claims and litigation offset by a $0.9 billion after-tax gain from the partial sale of the Company's equity method investment in AmerisourceBergen during the first quarter; and lapping $2.5 billion after-tax gain on the Company's investments in VillageMD and Shields Health Solutions in the year-ago quarter.
Adjusted net earnings was $1.0 billion, down 30.2 percent on a constant currency basis, primarily driven by lower adjusted operating income partly offset by the favorable impact of a lower tax rate compared with the year-ago quarter primarily due to the release of valuation allowance related to capital loss carryforwards.
Loss per share in the first quarter was $4.31, compared to earnings per share of $4.13 in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted earnings per share decreased 30.8 percent to $1.16, reflecting a decrease of 29.9 percent on a constant currency basis.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $493 million in the first quarter. Operating cash flow was negatively impacted by increased inventory build for the U.S. and UK holiday season.
Free cash flow was negative $117 million, a $762 million decrease compared with the year-ago quarter primarily driven by lower earnings versus the prior year quarter, phasing of working capital, and increased capital expenditures in growth initiatives, including the VillageMD footprint expansion, the rollout of micro-fulfillment centers, and digital transformation initiatives. ■