CVS Caremark (CVS) Misses Q1 EPS by 2c

CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS) reported Q1 EPS of $1.02, $0.02 worse than the analyst estimate of $1.04. Revenue for the quarter came in at $32.7 billion versus the consensus estimate of $32.31 billion.

Revenues in the Pharmacy Services Segment increased 10.3%, or $1.9 billion, to $20.2 billion in the three months ended March 31, 2014. The increase was primarily driven by growth in our specialty pharmacy business, including the acquisition of Coram, as well as drug cost inflation, new clients and new products. Pharmacy network claims processed during the three months ended March 31, 2014 increased 0.4% to 208.0 million, compared to 207.1 million in the first quarter of last year. The increase in the pharmacy network claim volume was primarily due to new client starts. Mail choice claims processed during the three months ended March 31, 2014, decreased 3.6% to 19.8 million, compared to 20.5 million in the prior year. The decrease in mail choice claims was driven by a decline in traditional mail volumes, which was partially offset by growth in our Maintenance Choice program.

Revenues in the Retail Pharmacy Segment increased 2.7%, or $441 million, to $16.5 billion in the three months ended March 31, 2014. Same store sales increased 1.4% versus the first quarter of last year, with pharmacy same store sales up 3.8% and front store same store sales down 3.8%. Pharmacy same store prescription volumes rose 2.1% on a 30-day equivalent basis. Both front store same store sales and pharmacy same store sales were negatively impacted by a weaker flu season in the three months ended March 31, 2014 and severe weather across much of the United States, compared to the prior year. The Company estimates that the extreme weather experienced this year along with the comparison against last year's strong flu season resulted in a negative impact to pharmacy same store prescription volumes of 180 to 200 basis points. Front store same store sales were also negatively impacted by approximately 80 basis points from the shift of Easter from March in 2013 to April in 2014, as well as softer customer traffic. The Company estimates that the extreme weather experienced this year along with the comparison against last year's strong flu season resulted in a negative impact of 140 to 160 basis points to front store same store sales. Despite the decline in front store same store sales, front store basket size improved modestly while front store margins improved notably during the quarter. The increase in total same store sales was primarily driven by the growth of prescription volumes and brand name drug cost inflation. Pharmacy same store sales include a negative impact of approximately 120 basis points from recent generic drug introductions.

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the generic dispensing rate increased approximately 190 basis points in the Pharmacy Services Segment, to 82.4%, and approximately 170 basis points in the Retail Pharmacy Segment, to 82.9%, compared to the prior year.

CVS Caremark reaffirmed FY2014 guidance.

For earnings history and earnings-related data on CVS Caremark (CVS) click here.

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