Express Scripts Profit In Line, Revenue Beats; Tightens FY Guidance

(RTTNews) - Pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts Holding Co (ESRX) Tuesday reported third-quarter net earnings of $582.3 million or $0.78 per share compared with $426.7 million or $0.52 per share last year.

Excluding items, adjusted earnings for the quarter were $1.29 per share compared with $1.08 per share a year ago.

Revenues for the quarter were $25.78 billion compared with $25.92 billion in the prior year.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters estimated earnings of $1.29 per share on revenues of $24.93 billion for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, Express Scripts expects adjusted earnings of $1.36 to $1.40 per share, while analysts expect $1.38 per share.

For the full year 2014, the company now expects adjusted earnings of $4.86 to $4.90 per share, from prior range of $4.84 to $4.92 per share. The mid-point of the guidance continues to be $4.88 per share.

Analysts expect earnings of $4.88 per share for the year.