Stocks gained in early trading as investors awaited comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell during the International Monetary Fund Debate on the Global Economy. Market watchers will be looking for clues on rate hikes and steps the central banks will take to reduce their balance sheet this year.
With a more stringent Fed in mind, many investors are seeking companies from defensive industries that have a reputation for being resilient during times of economic weakness. Today we’re highlighting one such company. What’s more, the stock currently seems to be trading at a discount considering its solid fundamentals and 2022 growth prospects.
Trusted neighborhood pharmacy Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) has always been a popular place for consumers, creating the perfect conditions for remarkable stability throughout the years both in terms of margins and revenue.
Despite beating expectations for earnings and revenue during its fiscal Q2 call last month, the stock is down on concerns around slowing pandemic demand and vaccination foot traffic. WBA’s share price today is just a stone’s throw away from its 52-week low of $42.90. However, the fundamentals remain solid, making it hard for long-term-minded investors to see this as anything less than an opportune bargain.
There is no doubt that the company has benefitted from the 63 million COVID-19 vaccines administered and concerns are legitimate that revenue will suffer as a result of the diminishing need for vaccines. The company said in a news release it administered 11.8 million vaccines in the second quarter, down from the 15.6 million in the previous period. Those headwinds are arguably factored in, with Walgreens share price down nearly 14% over the past year (underperforming the S&P 500, which is up 6.85% in the same period).
Last year, the company’s $5.2 billion investment in primary-care business VillageMD set the stage for the launch of doctor’s offices at hundreds of Walgreens locations across the country. While management cautioned that it could take two years for the partnership to scale to “a reasonable level of operations” for patient investors, the collaboration will likely provide solid growth opportunities for the business. Walgreens management sees 1,000 co-located clinics across more than 30 markets by 2027.
WBA is cheap compared to its top competitor CVS, which also administers vaccines on a forward price-to-earnings basis. CVS currently trades at nearly 18 times forward earnings while WBA trades at less than 6.5 times earnings. WBA also boasts an impressive 4.2% dividend yield, whereas CVS has a yield of 2%.
Should you invest in Walgreens right now?
Before you consider buying Walgreens, you'll want to see this.
Picture the perfect stock for a moment.
What would it look like?
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It would probably be a leader in cutting-edge technology like smartphones, robotics, e-commerce and medical equipment.
It would have tens of thousands of unbreakable patents.
It would pay an enormous dividend.
It would be on the verge of dozens of blockbuster announcements that would send the stock higher and higher.
And most of all…
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It seems crazy that such a stock exists.
And you’ve likely never heard of it.
Why?
Because it trades under a secret name.
Seriously, it’s true.
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He says this single stock alone could pay for your retirement.
