AmerisourceBergen Reports Fiscal 2023 First Quarter Results

Revenues of $62.8 billion for the First Quarter, a 5.4 Percent Increase Year-Over-Year
First Quarter GAAP Diluted EPS of $2.33 and Adjusted Diluted EPS of $2.71
Adjusted Diluted EPS Guidance Range Raised to $11.50 to $11.75 for Fiscal 2023

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AmerisourceBergen Corporation (NYSE: ABC) today reported that in its fiscal year 2023 first quarter ended December 31, 2022, revenue increased 5.4 percent year-over-year to $62.8 billion. On the basis of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $2.33 for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 compared to $2.13 in the prior year first quarter. Adjusted diluted EPS, which is a non-GAAP financial measure that excludes items described below, increased 5.0 percent to $2.71 in the fiscal first quarter from $2.58 in the prior year first quarter.

AmerisourceBergen is updating its outlook for fiscal year 2023. The Company does not provide forward-looking guidance on a GAAP basis, as discussed below in Fiscal Year 2023 Expectations. Adjusted diluted EPS guidance has been raised from the previous range of $11.30 to $11.60 to a range of $11.50 to $11.75.

“AmerisourceBergen delivered another quarter of solid results, and we are pleased to raise our full year outlook as a testament to our value creating approach to capital deployment and the resilience of our business,” said Steven H. Collis, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer of AmerisourceBergen.

“Our strong foundation in pharmaceutical distribution and complementary services create a compelling value proposition for our partners and customers at the center of global pharmaceutical innovation and access,” Mr. Collis continued. “As we look ahead, we are excited for our team members to be unified under our new corporate identity as Cencora later this year and to deliver on our purpose to create healthier futures.”

First Quarter Fiscal Year 2023 Summary Results

Below, AmerisourceBergen presents descriptive summaries of the Company’s GAAP and adjusted (non-GAAP) quarterly results. In the tables that follow, GAAP results and GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliations are presented. For more information related to non-GAAP financial measures, including adjustments made in the periods presented, please refer to the “Supplemental Information Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures” following the tables.

First Quarter GAAP Results

• Revenue: In the first quarter of fiscal 2023, revenue was $62.8 billion, up 5.4 percent compared to the same quarter in the previous fiscal year, reflecting a 6.1 percent increase in revenue within U.S. Healthcare Solutions, offset in part by a 0.6 percent decline in International Healthcare Solutions revenue primarily resulting from unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates in the current year quarter in comparison to the prior year quarter, offset in part by an increase in sales in our less-than-wholly-owned Brazil full-line distribution business.

• Gross Profit: Gross profit in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 was $2.1 billion, a 4.2 percent increase compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year primarily due to an increase in gross profit in U.S. Healthcare Solutions and an increase in gains from antitrust litigation settlements. The increase in gross profit was partially offset by a LIFO expense in the current year period versus a LIFO credit in the previous fiscal year period. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue was 3.41 percent, a decline of 5 basis points from the prior year quarter.

• Operating Expenses: In the first quarter of fiscal 2023, operating expenses were $1.5 billion, a 6.8 percent increase compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year, driven by an increase in distribution, selling, and administrative expenses compared to the prior year quarter primarily to support revenue growth in U.S. Healthcare Solutions and inflationary impacts on certain operating expenses in each segment. The increase in distribution, selling, and administrative expenses was partially offset by a reduction of litigation and opioid-related expenses.

• Operating Income: In the first quarter of fiscal 2023, operating income was $633.1 million, a 1.7 percent decrease compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year due to the decrease in operating income in International Healthcare Solutions resulting from unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates in the current year quarter in comparison to the prior year quarter and the June 2022 divestiture of our Brazil specialty business. Operating income as a percentage of revenue was 1.01 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2023, a decline of 7 basis points when compared to the prior year quarter.

• Interest Expense, Net: In the first quarter of fiscal 2023, net interest expense of $46.0 million was down 13.8 percent versus the prior year quarter primarily due to an increase in interest income as a result of higher investment interest rates and higher average investment cash balances.

• Effective Tax Rate: The effective tax rate was 19.8 percent for the first quarter of fiscal 2023. This compares to 24.6 percent in the prior year quarter, which was negatively impacted by discrete tax expense associated with foreign valuation allowance adjustments.

• Diluted Earnings Per Share: Diluted earnings per share was $2.33 in the first quarter of fiscal 2023, a 9.4 percent increase compared to $2.13 in the previous fiscal year’s first quarter. The increase was primarily due to the lower effective tax rate and a decrease in shares outstanding.

• Diluted Shares Outstanding: Diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 were 206.3 million, a decrease of 4.8 million shares, or 2.3 percent versus the prior fiscal year first quarter primarily as a result of share repurchases.

First Quarter Adjusted (non-GAAP) Results

• Revenue: No adjustments were made to the GAAP presentation of revenue. In the first quarter of fiscal 2023, revenue was $62.8 billion, up 5.4 percent compared to the same quarter in the previous fiscal year, reflecting a 6.1 percent increase in revenue within U.S. Healthcare Solutions, offset in part by a 0.6 percent decline in International Healthcare Solutions revenue primarily resulting from unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates in the current year quarter in comparison to the prior year quarter, offset in part by an increase in sales in our less-than-wholly-owned Brazil full-line distribution business. On a constant currency basis, revenue was up 7.5 percent, reflecting 17.7 percent constant currency growth in International Healthcare Solutions revenue.

• Adjusted Gross Profit: Adjusted gross profit in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 was $2.1 billion, a 5.4 percent increase compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year primarily due to an increase in gross profit in U.S. Healthcare Solutions, driven by increased sales. Adjusted gross profit as a percentage of revenue was 3.38 percent in the fiscal 2023 first quarter, flat when compared to the prior year quarter.

• Adjusted Operating Expenses: In the first quarter of fiscal 2023, adjusted operating expenses were $1.4 billion, a 9.8 percent increase, driven by an increase in distribution, selling, and administrative expenses compared to the prior year quarter primarily to support revenue growth in U.S. Healthcare Solutions and inflationary impacts on certain operating expenses in each segment.

• Adjusted Operating Income: In the first quarter of fiscal 2023, adjusted operating income was $734 million, a 2.1 percent decrease compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease was due to a 10.4 percent decrease in operating income within International Healthcare Solutions resulting from unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates in the current year quarter in comparison to the prior year quarter and the June 2022 divestiture of our Brazil specialty business, offset in part by a 0.6 percent increase in U.S. Healthcare Solutions operating income. On a constant currency basis, adjusted operating income increased 4.3 percent compared to the prior year quarter. Adjusted operating income as a percentage of revenue was 1.17 percent in the fiscal 2023 first quarter, a decrease of 9 basis points when compared to the prior year quarter.

• Interest Expense, Net: No adjustments were made to the GAAP presentation of net interest expense. In the first quarter of fiscal 2023, net interest expense of $46.0 million was down 13.8 percent versus the prior year quarter primarily due to an increase in interest income as a result of higher investment interest rates and higher average investment cash balances.

• Adjusted Effective Tax Rate: The adjusted effective tax rate was 19.1 percent for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 compared to 21.3 percent in the prior year quarter.

• Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share: Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $2.71 in the first quarter of fiscal 2023, a 5.0 percent increase compared to $2.58 in the previous fiscal year’s first quarter. The increase was primarily due to the lower effective tax rate and a decrease in shares outstanding. On a constant currency basis, adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 10.5 percent compared to the prior year quarter.

• Diluted Shares Outstanding: No adjustments were made to the GAAP presentation of diluted shares outstanding. Diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 were 206.3 million, a decrease of 4.8 million shares, or 2.3 percent versus the prior fiscal year first quarter primarily as a result of share repurchases.

Segment Discussion

The Company is organized geographically based upon the products and services it provides to its customers under two reportable segments: U.S. Healthcare Solutions and International Healthcare Solutions.

U.S. Healthcare Solutions

U.S. Healthcare Solutions revenue was $56.2 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2023, an increase of 6.1 percent compared to the same quarter in the prior fiscal year primarily due to overall market growth and increased sales to specialty physician practices, and partially offset by a decline in sales of commercial COVID-19 treatments. Segment operating income of $572.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 was up 0.6 percent compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year as a result of an increase in gross profit and was largely offset by the increase in operating expenses, which included inflationary impacts on certain operating expenses.

International Healthcare Solutions

Revenue in International Healthcare Solutions was $6.6 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2023, a decrease of 0.6 percent from the previous fiscal year’s first quarter. Segment operating income in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 was $161.3 million, a decrease of 10.4 percent. The period over period declines were due to unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates in the current year quarter in comparison to the prior year quarter and the June 2022 divestiture of our Brazil specialty business. On a constant currency basis, International Healthcare Solutions revenue and operating income increased by 17.7 percent and 10.8 percent, respectively.

Recent Company Highlights & Milestones

• Announced the completion of the acquisition of PharmaLex Holding GmbH. The acquisition enhances AmerisourceBergen’s growth strategy by advancing its leadership in specialty services and global platform of pharma manufacturer services capabilities. PharmaLex’s regulatory affairs, development consulting and scientific affairs, pharmacovigilance, and quality management and compliance services expand AmerisourceBergen’s role as partner of choice for biopharmaceutical partners across the pharmaceutical development and commercialization journey.
• On January 24, 2023, AmerisourceBergen announced it intends to change its name to Cencora to better reflect its bold vision and purpose-driven approach to creating healthier futures. AmerisourceBergen intends to begin operating as Cencora in the second half of calendar year 2023. Operating as Cencora, a unified and internationally inclusive name and brand, the Company will continue to invest in and focus on its core pharmaceutical distribution business, while also growing its platform of pharma and biopharma services to support pharmaceutical innovation and access.
• On January 27, 2023, AmerisourceBergen released its 2022 ESG Reporting Index and microsite, detailing the impact of its environmental, social, and governance programs and progress. For the fifth year in a row, selected information within the 2022 report was assured by ERM Certification and Verification Services.

Fiscal Year 2023 Expectations

The Company does not provide forward-looking guidance on a GAAP basis as certain financial information, the probable significance of which cannot be determined, is not available or cannot be reasonably estimated. Please refer to the Supplemental Information Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures following the tables for additional information.

Fiscal Year 2023 Expectations on an Adjusted (non-GAAP) Basis

AmerisourceBergen is now updating its fiscal year 2023 financial guidance to reflect a lower average diluted share count, the earlier-than-expected close of the Company’s acquisition of PharmaLex, updated foreign currency translation rates and incrementally lower expectations for COVID treatment contributions for the year. Growth rates are on an as reported basis unless constant currency basis is indicated. The Company now expects:

• Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share to be in the range of $11.50 to $11.75, representing growth of 4 to 7 percent, raised from the previous range of $11.30 to $11.60;
  • On a constant currency basis, adjusted diluted earnings per share growth to be in the range of 6 to 9 percent, raised from the previous range of 4 to 7 percent;
  • Excluding contributions related to COVID-19, adjusted diluted earnings per share growth to be in the range of 9 to 11 percent, raised from the previous range of 7 to 9 percent;
    • On a constant currency basis excluding contributions related to COVID-19, adjusted diluted earnings per share growth to be in the range of 11 to 13 percent, raised from the previous range of 9 to 11 percent.

Additional expectations now include:

• Excluding contributions related to COVID-19, adjusted consolidated operating income growth in the range of 4 percent to 6 percent, up from the previous range of 3 percent to 5 percent;
• U.S. Healthcare Solutions segment operating income growth to be in the range of 1 percent to 4 percent, widened from the previous range of 2 percent to 4 percent. Expectations for segment operating income growth excluding COVID-19 contributions remain unchanged;
• International Healthcare Solutions segment operating income to be in the range of a 3 percent decline to 1 percent growth, up from the previous range of a 7 to 3 percent decline;
• Weighted average diluted shares to be approximately 206 million shares for the fiscal year, lowered from the previous range of approximately 207 to 209 million shares;
• For additional details regarding updated guidance expectations on a constant currency, ex-COVID and ex-merger and divestiture basis please refer to our slide presentation for investors.

All other previously communicated aspects of the Company’s fiscal year 2023 financial guidance and assumptions remain the same.

Dividend Declaration

The Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.485 per common share, payable February 27, 2023, to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 10, 2023.

Conference Call & Slide Presentation

The Company will host a conference call to discuss the results at 8:30 a.m. ET on February 1, 2023. A slide presentation for investors has also been posted on the Company’s website at investor.amerisourcebergen.com. Participating in the conference call will be:

• Steven H. Collis, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
• James F. Cleary, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

The dial-in number for the live call will be (844) 200-6205. From outside the United States and Canada, dial +1 (929) 526-1599. The access code for the call will be 310213. The live call will also be webcast via the Company’s website at investor.amerisourcebergen.com. Users are encouraged to log on to the webcast approximately 10 minutes in advance of the scheduled start time of the call.

Replays of the call will be made available via telephone and webcast. A replay of the webcast will be posted on investor.amerisourcebergen.com approximately one hour after the completion of the call and will remain available for one year. The telephone replay will also be available approximately one hour after the completion of the call and will remain available for seven days. To access the telephone replay from within the U.S. and Canada, dial (866) 813-9403. From outside the United States and Canada, dial +44 (204) 525-0658. The access code for the replay is 802410.

Upcoming Investor Events

AmerisourceBergen management will be attending the following investor events in the coming months:

• Barclays Global Healthcare Conference March 14-16, 2023.

About AmerisourceBergen

AmerisourceBergen is a leading global pharmaceutical solutions organization centered on improving the lives of people and animals around the world. We partner with pharmaceutical innovators across the value chain to facilitate and optimize market access to therapies. Care providers depend on us for the secure, reliable delivery of pharmaceuticals, healthcare products, and solutions. Our 44,000+ worldwide team members contribute to positive health outcomes through the power of our purpose: We are united in our responsibility to create healthier futures. AmerisourceBergen is ranked #10 on the Fortune 500 and #21 on the Global Fortune 500 with more than $200 billion in annual revenue. Learn more at investor.amerisourcebergen.com.

AmerisourceBergen’s Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements contained in this press release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Securities Exchange Act”). Words such as “expect,” “likely,” “outlook,” “forecast,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “can,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “continue,” “sustain,” “synergy,” “on track,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “may,” “possible,” “assume,” variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances and speak only as of the date hereof. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are based on assumptions and estimates that could prove incorrect or could cause actual results to vary materially from those indicated. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated, or implied are the following: the effect of and uncertainties related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (including any government responses thereto) and any continued recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; our ability to achieve and maintain profitability in the future; our ability to respond to general economic conditions, including elevated levels of inflation; our ability to manage our growth effectively and our expectations regarding the development and expansion of our business; the impact on our business of the regulatory environment and complexities with compliance; unfavorable trends in brand and generic pharmaceutical pricing, including in rate or frequency of price inflation or deflation; competition and industry consolidation of both customers and suppliers resulting in increasing pressure to reduce prices for our products and services; changes in the United States healthcare and regulatory environment, including changes that could impact prescription drug reimbursement under Medicare and Medicaid and declining reimbursement rates for pharmaceuticals; increasing governmental regulations regarding the pharmaceutical supply channel; continued federal and state government enforcement initiatives to detect and prevent suspicious orders of controlled substances and the diversion of controlled substances; continued prosecution or suit by federal and state governmental entities and other parties (including third-party payors, hospitals, hospital groups and individuals) of alleged violations of laws and regulations regarding controlled substances, and any related disputes, including shareholder derivative lawsuits; increased federal scrutiny and litigation, including qui tam litigation, for alleged violations of laws and regulations governing the marketing, sale, purchase and/or dispensing of pharmaceutical products or services, and associated reserves and costs; failure to comply with the Corporate Integrity Agreement; the outcome of any legal or governmental proceedings that may be instituted against us, including material adverse resolution of pending legal proceedings; the retention of key customer or supplier relationships under less favorable economics or the adverse resolution of any contract or other dispute with customers or suppliers; changes to customer or supplier payment terms, including as a result of the COVID-19 impact on such payment terms; unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the acquisition of PharmaLex; the integration of the Alliance Healthcare and PharmaLex businesses into the Company being more difficult, time consuming or costly than expected; the Company’s, Alliance Healthcare’s or PharmaLex’s failure to achieve expected or targeted future financial and operating performance and results; the effects of disruption from the acquisition and related strategic transactions on the respective businesses of the Company, Alliance Healthcare and PharmaLex, and the fact that the acquisition and related strategic transactions may make it more difficult to establish or maintain relationships with employees, suppliers and other business partners; the acquisition of businesses, including the acquisition of the Alliance Healthcare and PharmaLex businesses and related strategic transactions, that do not perform as expected, or that are difficult to integrate or control, or the inability to capture all of the anticipated synergies related thereto or to capture the anticipated synergies within the expected time period; risks associated with the strategic, long-term relationship between Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

Bennett S. Murphy
Senior Vice President, Head of Investor Relations and Treasury
610-727-3693
bmurphy@amerisourcebergen.com