Walgreen Misses on Revenues but Beats on EPS

Walgreen (NYSE: WAG  ) reported earnings on March 19. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Feb. 28 (Q2), Walgreen missed slightly on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue was unchanged. Non-GAAP earnings per share grew significantly. GAAP earnings per share increased.

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
Walgreen logged revenue of $18.65 billion. The 18 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $18.94 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were the same as the prior-year quarter's.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.96. The 19 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.93 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $0.96 for Q2 were 23% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.78 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.79 for Q2 were 1.3% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.78 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 30.1%, 120 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 6.0%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 4.1%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $18.68 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.90.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $72.96 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.20.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 2,100 members out of 2,242 rating the stock outperform, and 142 members rating it underperform. Among 595 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 568 give Walgreen a green thumbs-up, and 27 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Walgreen is outperform, with an average price target of $42.60.

Is Walgreen the right retailer for your portfolio? Learn how to maximize your investment income and "Secure Your Future With 9 Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks," including one above-average retailing powerhouse. Click here for instant access to this free report.

• Add Walgreen to My Watchlist.