McKesson Whiffs on Earnings

McKesson (NYSE: MCK  ) reported earnings on Jan. 31. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q3), McKesson beat slightly on revenues and whiffed on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew slightly and GAAP earnings per share increased.

Gross margins grew, operating margins dropped, net margins were steady.

Revenue details
McKesson reported revenue of $31.19 billion. The 12 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted sales of $30.85 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 1.1% higher than the prior-year quarter's $30.84 billion.

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 $1.41. The 14 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $1.62 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.24 for Q3 were 3.3% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.20 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 5.3%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 1.6%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.0%, about the same as the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $31.66 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $2.20.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $122.99 billion. The average EPS estimate is $7.27.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 599 members out of 626 rating the stock outperform, and 27 members rating it underperform. Among 220 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 212 give McKesson a green thumbs-up, and eight give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on McKesson is outperform, with an average price target of $104.23.

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