McKesson Sells $1.25 Billion Stake to Apollo, Boosts EPS Growth to 18%
McKesson sold a minority stake in its medical-surgical solutions unit to Apollo Funds for $1.25 billion and raised its full-year adjusted EPS growth outlook to an 18% midpoint. The company produces $10 billion in operating cash flow, funds a 2.7% net shareholder yield, and maintains a 25.2x interest coverage ratio.
1. Minority Stake Sale to Apollo
McKesson agreed to sell a minority interest in its medical-surgical solutions unit to Apollo Funds for $1.25 billion as a precursor to a planned IPO of the business, strengthening its balance sheet and providing capital for growth initiatives.
2. Strong Cash Generation and Shareholder Returns
The distributor generated $10 billion in operating cash flow last year with disciplined $838 million in capital expenditures, supporting a 2.7% net shareholder yield via dividends and share repurchases, while maintaining a 25.2x interest coverage ratio.
3. Upgraded EPS Guidance and Margin Dynamics
Management raised its full-year adjusted EPS growth outlook to an 18% midpoint, reflecting a three-year EPS CAGR of 19.6%, but faces gross margin pressure from low-margin GLP-1 drugs offset by rapid 57% oncology segment growth ahead of the May 7 Q4 earnings call.