McKesson Reports Fiscal 2018 Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Results

• Revenues of $51.6 billion for the fourth quarter and $208.4 billion for the full year.
• Fourth-quarter GAAP loss per diluted share from continuing operations of $(5.58) and full-year GAAP earnings per diluted share from continuing operations of $0.30.
• Fourth-quarter Adjusted Earnings per diluted share of $3.49 and full-year Adjusted Earnings per diluted share of $12.62.
• Fiscal 2018 cash flow from operations of $4.3 billion.
• The Board of Directors authorized an additional $4.0 billion share repurchase program.
• Fiscal 2019 Outlook: Adjusted Earnings of $13.00 to $13.80 per diluted share.

SAN FRANCISCO, May 24, 2018 – McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK) today reported that revenues for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2018, were $51.6 billion, up 6% compared to $48.7 billion a year ago. On a constant currency basis, revenues increased 4% over the prior year. For the fiscal year, McKesson had revenues of $208.4 billion, up 5% compared to $198.5 billion a year ago. On a constant currency basis, revenues increased 4% over the prior year.

On the basis of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), fourth-quarter loss per diluted share from continuing operations was $(5.58), compared to earnings per diluted share of $16.79 a year ago. Full-year GAAP earnings per diluted share from continuing operations was $0.30, compared to $23.28 a year ago. Fourth-quarter GAAP loss per diluted share and full-year GAAP earnings per share included after-tax net charges totaling $1.9 billion and $2.6 billion, respectively, or $9.07 and $12.32 per diluted share, respectively, driven primarily by non-cash goodwill and long-lived asset impairment charges in the company’s European and Canadian retail businesses, partially offset by benefits related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

Prior year fourth-quarter and full-year GAAP earnings per diluted share included an after-tax net gain of $3.0 billion, or $14.10 per diluted share and $13.53 per diluted share, respectively, related to the creation of the Change Healthcare joint venture.

Fourth-quarter Adjusted Earnings per diluted share was $3.49, up 2% compared to $3.41 a year ago. Full-year Adjusted Earnings per diluted share was $12.62, up 1% compared to $12.54 for the prior year, which includes the $0.31 per diluted share contribution to create a non-profit foundation.

For the full year, McKesson generated cash from operations of $4.3 billion and ended the year with cash and cash equivalents of $2.7 billion. During the year, McKesson repaid approximately $765 million in net long-term debt, paid $2.9 billion for acquisitions, repurchased approximately $1.7 billion of its common stock, invested $580 million internally and paid $262 million in dividends.”

“While we realized significant charges in the fourth quarter reflecting challenging market conditions in Europe and Canada, I’m pleased with the Fiscal 2018 performance across our other businesses. And the strength of our balance sheet and cash flow enabled us to make internal investments and acquisitions that will drive growth,” said John H. Hammergren, chairman and chief executive officer. “This strong financial position, combined with actions we are taking in relation to our recently announced multi-year strategic growth initiative, ensures McKesson’s ongoing focus on delivering shareholder value.

“We also returned capital to shareholders through share repurchases and a quarterly dividend. And yesterday, our Board of Directors approved an additional share repurchase authorization of $4 billion, as we believe that the company’s shares are an attractive investment opportunity and repurchasing stock is an important part of our diversified capital allocation strategy,” continued Hammergren.

Segment Results

Distribution Solutions revenues were $51.6 billion for the quarter, up 7% on a reported basis and 5% on a constant currency basis. For the full year, Distribution Solutions revenues were $208.1 billion, up 6% on a reported basis and 5% on a constant currency basis, compared to the prior year.

North America pharmaceutical distribution and services revenues of $42.7 billion for the quarter were up 5% on both a reported basis and constant currency basis. For the full year, North America pharmaceutical distribution and services revenues were $174.2 billion, up 6% on both a reported and constant currency basis, compared to the prior year. Revenue growth for the quarter and the full year was driven primarily by market growth and acquisitions, partially offset by branded to generic conversions.

International pharmaceutical distribution and services revenues were $7.2 billion for the quarter, up 19% on a reported basis and 4% on a constant currency basis, driven by acquisitions and market growth, which were the same factors that drove full year revenues of $27.3 billion, up 10% on a reported basis and up 5% on a constant currency basis, compared to the prior year.

Medical-Surgical distribution and services revenues were $1.7 billion for the quarter, up 9%, driven primarily by market growth, including the impact of a stronger flu season. For the full year, Medical-Surgical distribution and services revenues were $6.6 billion, up 6% compared to the prior year.

Fourth-quarter Distribution Solutions GAAP operating loss was $(689) million and GAAP operating margin was (1.33)%. On a constant currency basis, fourth-quarter adjusted operating profit was $1.1 billion, up 8% from the prior year on a reported basis and 7% on a constant currency basis. Adjusted operating margin for the Distribution Solutions segment was 2.26% on a constant currency basis. Adjusted operating margin excluding noncontrolling interests for the Distribution Solutions segment was 2.17% on a constant currency basis.

For the full year, Distribution Solutions GAAP operating profit was $1.2 billion and GAAP operating margin was 0.59%. On a constant currency basis, full-year adjusted operating profit was $4.1 billion, up 8% from the prior year on a reported basis and 7% on a constant currency basis. Adjusted operating margin for the Distribution Solutions segment was 1.96% on a constant currency basis. Adjusted operating margin excluding noncontrolling interests for the Distribution Solutions segment was 1.87% on a constant currency basis.

Fourth-quarter Technology Solutions GAAP operating profit was $23 million. Fourth-quarter adjusted operating profit was $72 million, driven by the company’s proportionate share of the income from McKesson’s equity investment in Change Healthcare.

Full-year Technology Solutions GAAP operating loss was $(23) million. Full-year adjusted operating profit was $304 million, primarily driven by the company’s proportionate share of the income from McKesson’s equity investment in Change Healthcare.

Fiscal Year 2018 Reconciliation of GAAP Results to Adjusted Earnings

Adjusted Earnings per diluted share of $12.62 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018, excludes the following GAAP items:

• Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles of $2.60 per diluted share;
• Acquisition-related expenses and adjustments of $1.20 per diluted share;
• Last-In-First-Out (“LIFO”) inventory-related credits of 31 cents per diluted share;
• Restructuring charges of $2.82 per diluted share, including non-cash long-lived asset impairment charges; and
• Other adjustment net charges of $6.01 per diluted share, primarily including non-cash goodwill asset impairment charges, partially offset by benefits related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

Revised Segment Financial Reporting Effective Fiscal Year 2019

Following the retirement of the president of Distribution Solutions in January 2018 and an evaluation of the company’s management and operating structure, McKesson has revised its reportable segments commencing in the first quarter of Fiscal 2019. McKesson’s new reportable segments are:

• U.S. Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions, which includes the U.S. Pharmaceutical and McKesson Specialty Health businesses;
• European Pharmaceutical Solutions; and
• Medical-Surgical Solutions.

All remaining operating segments and business activities that are not significant enough to require reportable segment disclosure will be included in Other. Other primarily includes McKesson Canada, McKesson Prescription Technology Solutions (MRxTS) and the company’s equity method investment in Change Healthcare.

Please refer to a second 8-K filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission for historical supplemental information for the fiscal years ending March 31, 2018; March 31, 2017; and March 31, 2016 reflecting historical results by revised reportable segment.

Fiscal Year 2019 Outlook

McKesson expects Adjusted Earnings per diluted share of $13.00 to $13.80 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019.

“Our Fiscal 2019 outlook represents mid- to high-single digit percentage growth year over year, reflecting a more stable market environment and effective capital allocation, while including the previously outlined headwinds in our European and Rexall businesses,” Hammergren concluded.

McKesson has ceased providing forward-looking guidance on a GAAP basis as the company is unable to provide a quantitative reconciliation of this forward-looking non-GAAP measure to the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measure, without unreasonable effort, as items are inherently uncertain and depend on various factors, many of which are beyond the company’s control.

Key Assumptions for Fiscal 2019

The Fiscal 2019 outlook is based on the following key assumptions and is also subject to the Risk Factors outlined below:

• McKesson to deliver mid-single digit percent revenue growth and down slightly to up mid-single digit percent adjusted income from operations growth in Fiscal 2019.
• U.S. Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions to deliver low- to mid-single digit percent revenue growth and flat to down mid-single digit percent adjusted operating profit growth in Fiscal 2019.
• European Pharmaceutical Solutions to deliver flat to mid-single digit percent revenue and adjusted operating profit growth in Fiscal 2019.
• Medical-Surgical Solutions is expected to deliver low-double digit percent revenue growth and mid- to high-single digit percent adjusted operating profit growth in Fiscal 2019.
• Other is expected to deliver low-single digit percent revenue growth and adjusted operating profit to be flat in Fiscal 2019, which includes a gross headwind of between $100 million and $120 million related to the generic pricing initiative the Canadian provincial governments enacted April 1, 2018, as well as the impact of an increase in minimum wage in multiple provinces.
• Adjusted equity earnings from the company’s investment in Change Healthcare are expected to grow in the low- to mid-single digit percent in Fiscal 2019.
• Expect low-double digit percent decline in corporate expenses compared to Fiscal 2018.
• Interest expense is expected to decline year over year.
• The guidance range assumes a full-year adjusted tax rate of approximately 21% to 23%, which may vary from quarter to quarter.
• Income attributable to noncontrolling interests is expected to decline year over year.
• The company’s ownership position in McKesson Europe is assumed to be approximately 77% for Fiscal 2019.
• Foreign currency exchange rate movements are assumed to have a net favorable impact of up to 10 cents per diluted share year over year.
• Commencing in Fiscal 2019, the company will provide free cash flow guidance. Free cash flow is expected to be approximately $3.0 billion, which is net of expected property acquisitions and capitalized software expenditures of between $600 million and $800 million.
• Weighted average diluted shares used in the calculation of earnings per share are expected to be approximately 200 million for the year.

Adjusted Earnings

McKesson separately reports financial results on the basis of Adjusted Earnings. Adjusted Earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as GAAP income from continuing operations, excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, acquisition-related expenses and adjustments, LIFO inventory-related adjustments, gains from antitrust legal settlements, restructuring charges, and other adjustments. A reconciliation of McKesson’s GAAP financial results to Adjusted Earnings is provided in Schedules 2, 3 and 4 of the financial statement tables included with this release.

The company will not provide forward-looking guidance on a GAAP basis prospectively as McKesson is unable to provide a quantitative reconciliation of this forward-looking non-GAAP measure to the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measure, without unreasonable effort, because McKesson cannot reliably forecast LIFO inventory-related adjustments, gains from antitrust legal settlements, restructuring charges, and other adjustments, which are difficult to predict and estimate. These items are inherently uncertain and depend on various factors, many of which are beyond the company’s control, and as such, any associated estimate and its impact on GAAP performance could vary materially.

Constant Currency

McKesson also presents its financial results on a constant currency basis. The company conducts business worldwide in local currencies, including the Euro, British pound and Canadian dollar. As a result, the comparability of the financial results reported in U.S. dollars can be affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Constant currency information is presented to provide a framework for assessing how the company’s business performed excluding the effect of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The supplemental constant currency information of the company’s GAAP financial results and Adjusted Earnings (Non-GAAP) is provided in Schedule 3 of the financial statement tables included with this release.

Non-GAAP Measures

McKesson also provides adjusted operating profit margin excluding noncontrolling interests. The company has arrangements involving third-party noncontrolling interests. As a result, pre-tax results are affected by the portion of pre-tax earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests. Adjusted operating profit margin excluding noncontrolling interests information is presented to provide a framework for assessing how the company’s business performed excluding the effect of pre-tax earnings that is not attributable to McKesson. The supplemental adjusted operating profit margin excluding noncontrolling interests information of the company’s GAAP financial results and Adjusted Earnings (Non-GAAP) is provided in Schedule 3 of the financial statement tables included with this release.

McKesson also provides a free cash flow estimate on a forward-looking basis. Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less property acquisitions and capitalized software expenditures, as outlined in the company’s condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

Risk Factors

Except for historical information contained in this press release, matters discussed may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied. These statements may be identified by their use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “seeks”, “approximately”, “intends”, “plans”, “estimates” or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. The discussion of financial trends, strategy, plans or intentions may also include forward-looking statements. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks and uncertainties; however, the most significant of these risks and uncertainties are described in the company’s Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and include, but are not limited to: changes in the U.S. healthcare industry and regulatory environment; managing foreign expansion, including the related operating, economic, political and regulatory risks; changes in the Canadian healthcare industry and regulatory environment; exposure to European economic conditions, including recent austerity measures taken by certain European governments; changes in the European regulatory environment with respect to privacy and data protection regulations; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; the company’s ability to successfully identify, consummate, finance and integrate acquisitions; the performance of the company’s investment in Change Healthcare; the company’s ability to manage and complete divestitures; material adverse resolution of pending legal proceedings; competition and industry consolidation; substantial defaults in payment or a material reduction in purchases by, or the loss of, a large customer or group purchasing organization; the loss of government contracts as a result of compliance or funding challenges; public health issues in the U.S. or abroad; cyberattack, natural disaster, or malfunction of sophisticated internal computer systems to perform as designed; the adequacy of insurance to cover property loss or liability claims; the company’s proprietary products and services may not be adequately protected, and its products and solutions may be found to infringe on the rights of others; system errors or failure of our technology products or services to conform to specifications; disaster or other event causing interruption of customer access to data residing in our service centers; changes in circumstances that could impair our goodwill or intangible assets; new or revised tax legislation or challenges to our tax positions; general economic conditions, including changes in the financial markets that may affect the availability and cost of credit to the company, its customers or suppliers; changes in accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; withdrawal from participation in multiemployer pension plans or if such plans are reported to have underfunded liabilities; inability to realize the expected benefits from the company’s restructuring and business process initiatives; difficulties with outsourcing and similar third party relationships; risks associated with the company’s retail expansion; and the company’s inability to keep existing retail store locations or open new retail locations in desirable places. The reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are first made. Except to the extent required by law, the company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Conference Call Details

The company has scheduled a conference call for today, Thursday, May 24^th, at 8:00 AM ET. The dial-in number for individuals wishing to participate on the call is 323-701-0225. Craig Mercer, senior vice president, Investor Relations, is the leader of the call, and the password to join the call is ‘McKesson’. A telephonic replay of this conference call will be available for five calendar days. The dial-in number for individuals wishing to listen to the replay is 719-457-0820 and the pass code is 3609926. An archive of the conference call will also be available on the company’s Investor Relations website at http://investor.McKesson.com.

Shareholders are encouraged to review the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About McKesson Corporation

McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 6^th on the FORTUNE 500, is a global leader in healthcare supply chain management solutions, retail pharmacy, community oncology and specialty care, and healthcare information technology. McKesson partners with pharmaceutical manufacturers, providers, pharmacies, governments and other organizations in healthcare to help provide the right medicines, medical products and healthcare services to the right patients at the right time, safely and cost-effectively. United by our ICARE shared principles, our employees work every day to innovate and deliver opportunities that make our customers and partners more successful—all for the better health of patients. McKesson has been named the “Most Admired Company” in the healthcare wholesaler category by FORTUNE, a “Best Place to Work” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and a top military-friendly company by Military Friendly. For more information, visit www.McKesson.com.

Tables and full-text of earnings release also available for viewing and download in PDF format: McKesson Reports Fiscal 2018 Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Results (PDF, 316 KB).