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Walgreen posts 4Q loss on Alliance Boots charge

By WTOP Staff

TOM MURPHY
AP Business Writer

Walgreen booked a $239 million loss in its fiscal fourth quarter after swallowing a huge accounting charge from its Alliance Boots acquisition, but the drugstore chain’s results still met Wall Street expectations.

Walgreen Co. said Tuesday that it recorded a non-cash loss of $866 million in the quarter that ended Aug. 31 because it decided to exercise early its option to buy the remaining stake in Alliance Boots that it did not already own.

The Deerfield, Illinois, company bought a 45 percent stake in the Swiss health and beauty retailer in 2012. It had until next year to decide whether to buy the rest of Alliance Boots, which runs the largest drugstore chain in the United Kingdom.

But the company said last month that it had decided to complete that deal. Walgreen spokesman Michael Polzin said that because the company exercised that option early, it had to remove its value from its books. That led to the non-cash charge.

Overall, Walgreen lost $239 million, or 25 cents per share, in the quarter. That compares to a gain of $657 million, or 69 cents per share, in the same period last year. Adjusted earnings, which exclude the Alliance Boots charge, totaled 74 cents per share.

That matched analyst expectations, according to Zacks Investment Research.

Walgreen’s revenue rose more than 6 percent to about $19.1 billion, while analysts expected $19.02 billion.

Walgreen runs the nation’s largest drugstore chain, with more than 8,200 locations. It said sales from its established stores climbed more than 5 percent in the quarter. That’s an important measurement for retailers because it leaves out the impact of recently opened or closed locations.

But Walgreen executives cautioned Tuesday that the company is dealing with lower reimbursement for prescriptions as well as rising prices for generic drugs. That cuts into the profitability of those drugs if the reimbursement that the company receives doesn’t keep up with the price increases.

“We are realistic about the headwinds we face for the year,” CEO Greg Wasson said, adding that Walgreen also is dealing with a “cautious consumer.”

Walgreen wrapped up a rough quarter Aug. 31 in which its stock price tumbled 16 percent while the Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 4 percent. Much of that drop came in early August after Walgreen lowered a forecast for earnings it expects after combining with Alliance Boots.

It also announced that it would not pursue an overseas reorganization with Alliance Boots that could have trimmed its U.S. taxes. The drugstore chain said it wasn’t sure such a move would pass IRS scrutiny, and it acknowledged feeling pressure to not pursue the move known as an inversion. Several politicians had scolded the company, which draws nearly all its revenue from U.S. stores, for even considering it.

Walgreen Co. shares slipped 54 cents to $59.06 in midday trading Tuesday while broader trading indexes rose slightly. The stock price had climbed almost 4 percent so far this year, as of Monday’s market close.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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