McKesson raises annual profit forecast on strong growth in specialty drug business

Aug. 5 (Reuters) - Drug distributor McKesson on Wednesday raised its annual profit forecast after beating first-quarter earnings estimates, on strength in its oncology and specialty drug businesses.

The company now expects fiscal 2027 adjusted profit to be in the range of $44.20 to $45 per share, from its previous projection of $43.80 to $44.60 per share. Analysts were expecting a profit of $44.26 per share, according to data compiled by LSEG.

• The Texas-based company reported revenue of $105.4 billion for the first quarter ended June 30, beating analysts' expectations of $103.74 billion, helped by increased prescription volumes for its oncology and specialty medicines.
• McKesson and peers, including Cardinal Health and Cencora, are capitalizing on surging demand for high-cost specialty drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and cancer, helping generate strong margins.
• On an adjusted basis, McKesson earned a profit of $9.93 per share, up 20% from a year ago and beating analysts' estimate of $9.54 per share.
• Sales in McKesson's U.S. pharmaceutical unit, its largest segment by revenue, rose 5% to $86.8 billion, driven in part by higher prescriptions for specialty products.