Cencora (NYSE:COR) Posts Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.08 EPS

Cencora (NYSE:COR) announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The company reported $4.66 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.58 by $0.08, FiscalAI reports. Cencora had a return on equity of 125.45% and a net margin of 0.79%. The business had revenue of $88.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $87.95 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $3.84 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year.

Here are the key takeaways from Cencora’s conference call:

• Cencora reported fiscal 2026 adjusted operating income growth of 14% and adjusted diluted EPS of $17.97, up 12%. Adjusted free cash flow was $3.8 billion, and the company announced a 10% increase to its quarterly dividend.
• The company is consolidating specialty capabilities into a new segment, targeting long-term operating income growth in the mid-teens; its fiscal 2027 segment outlook is 18%–21%, including the OneOncology acquisition contribution. Cencora expects specialty distribution revenue to reach approximately $100 billion in fiscal 2027.
• Fiscal 2027 adjusted EPS guidance is $19.40–$19.75, representing 8%–10% growth, or 10%–12% excluding the assumed MWI-Covetrus merger impact. Management projects operating income growth of 8.5%–11% excluding businesses in Other, ahead of its long-term targets.
• Reported fiscal 2027 operating income growth guidance is 4%–6%, with businesses in Other expected to reduce growth by about five percentage points; the Pharmaceutical Distribution and Services segment is forecast to grow operating income just 2%–4%, partly due to a customer volume shift and foreign exchange. Adjusted free cash flow is expected to decline to approximately $3.5 billion from $3.8 billion.

Cencora Stock Performance

COR traded down $14.42 on Thursday, hitting $339.58. The company had a trading volume of 1,481,706 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,467,528. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $324.60 and its 200 day moving average price is $317.44. Cencora has a 1-year low of $244.82 and a 1-year high of $377.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.53, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.58. The stock has a market cap of $64.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.74 and a beta of 0.58.

Cencora Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 30th. Investors of record on Friday, November 13th will be paid a $0.66 dividend. This represents a $2.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 13th. This is a positive change from Cencora’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.60. Cencora’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 17.83%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

COR has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Cencora from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, August 8th. Citigroup restated a “buy” rating on shares of Cencora in a research note on Thursday, August 6th. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on shares of Cencora from $346.00 to $377.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, October 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a “sector perform” rating and set a $330.00 price target on shares of Cencora in a report on Tuesday, September 8th. Finally, Leerink Partners lifted their price objective on shares of Cencora from $388.00 to $405.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $369.44.

Key Headlines Impacting Cencora

Here are the key news stories impacting Cencora this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Fiscal Q4 adjusted EPS of $4.66 topped the $4.58 consensus, while revenue rose 5.5% year over year to $88.4 billion and also exceeded estimates. Cencora issued fiscal 2027 adjusted EPS guidance of $19.40–$19.75. Cencora fiscal 2026 results
• Positive Sentiment: Leerink Partners raised its price target to $405 from $388 and reiterated an Outperform rating, signaling confidence in potential upside.
• Positive Sentiment: Cencora increased its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.66 per share, or $2.64 annualized.
• Neutral Sentiment: The company is reorganizing its reporting structure into two segments, which management says is intended to improve strategic focus and visibility. Cencora organizational structure announcement
• Negative Sentiment: Management’s earnings call highlighted business headwinds alongside specialty growth. That caution may temper the strong quarterly beat, though the available report does not specify their expected financial impact. Earnings call highlights

Insider Transactions at Cencora

In other Cencora news, EVP Elizabeth Campbell sold 11,300 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $324.12, for a total transaction of $3,662,556.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 19,455 shares in the company, valued at $6,305,754.60. This trade represents a 36.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.38% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Cencora Company Profile

Cencora, formerly known as AmerisourceBergen, is a global pharmaceutical sourcing and distribution company. It provides branded, generic and specialty pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter products and related health care supplies to pharmacies, hospitals, health systems, physician practices and other health care providers.

The company also offers services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers, including logistics, commercialization support, market access, consulting, clinical trial support and patient assistance programs.