Express Scripts Inc. Q3 Profit Climbs 3%

(RTTNews) - Express Scripts Inc. (ESRX) released earnings for its third quarter that advanced from last year.

The company said its bottom line climbed to $989.8 million, or $1.45 per share. This was higher than $962.5 million, or $1.29 per share, in last year's third quarter.

Analysts had expected the company to earn $1.44 per share, according figures compiled by Thomson Reuters. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

The company said revenue for the quarter fell 2.2% to $25.22 billion. This was down from $25.78 billion last year.

Express Scripts Inc. earnings at a glance:

-Earnings (Q3): $989.8 Mln. vs. $962.5 Mln. last year. -Earnings Growth (Y-o-Y): 2.8% -EPS (Q3): $1.45 vs. $1.29 last year. -EPS Growth (Y-o-Y): 12.4% -Analysts Estimate: $1.44 -Revenue (Q3): $25.22 Bln vs. $25.78 Bln last year. -Revenue Change (Y-o-Y): -2.2%

-Guidance: Next quarter EPS guidance: $1.54 - $1.58 Full year EPS guidance: $5.51 - $5.55