EXPRESS SCRIPTS 900130 Top-Performer im Nasdaq 100 in 2005 - 500 Beiträge pro Seite

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Hallo,

Express Scripts, vielen von Euch sicherlich rel. unbekannt ist DER Top-Performer im Nasdaq 100 dieses Jahr. Die Aktie hat sich bereits verdoppelt, obwohl der Nasdaq fast keinen Mux gemacht hat dieses Jahr. Jedoch ist für mich die positive Entwicklung dieser Aktie noch lange nicht zu Ende. Die Wachstumsperspektiven sind bestens. Express Scripts ist ein pharmazeutischer Dienstleister / Medikamenten-Distributor, der auch Apotheken betreibt. In den letzten Jahren wuchs das Unternehmen sehr konstant mit einer klaren Beschleunigung in 2004 und 2005. Gerade wurde der 2006er Ausblick drastisch angehoben. Besucht den Link

auf der homepage von ESRX (Nasdaq-Kürzel), da werdet Ihr staunen, wie konstant die Quartalszahlen sich entwickeln. Seit 1999 steigen die Quartalszahlen von Quartal zu Quartal an. So eine Konstanz können nur ganz wenige vorweisen. Das Management arbeitet bestens, die Perspektiven stimmen. Die jährlichen Wachstumsraten belaufen sich auf 20 - 30% per anno. Die Umsätze belaufen sich auf gut 13 Mrd. US-Dollar, also keine kleine Klitsche.

Gerade eben wurde ja von vielen Analysten gerade der Gesundheitssektor als die vielversprechendste Branche für 2006 herausgestellt. Klar, die Demographie wie auch der steigende Wohlstand in vielen Schwellenländern sprechen dafür.
EXPRESS SCRIPTS ist auch eine der rd. 100 Championsaktien von Börse.go, die Chartverläufe von links unten nach rechts oben aufweisen.

Jetzt würde mich natürlich interessieren, wie Ihr die Perspektiven dieses Unternehmens seht....

Viele Grüße space...

[spaceistheplace]

Ich habe mich schon lange nicht mehr zu ESRX gemeldet, jedoch sieht es aktuell nach dem Kurseinbruch der letzten Wochen wieder sehr positiv aus, insbesondere Charttechnisch.
ESRX hatte vermeldet, dass die Einnahmen durch das Medikament ZOCOR von merck, das im Juni sein patentrecht erhält etwas auf die margen drücken könnte. Jetzt am 1. mai die Meldung, dass die Gewinnschätzung von 3,10 - 3,22 Dollar pro Aktie trotzdem eingehalten werden kann. KGV 2006 von 24 und KGV 2007 von 20 bei einem Wachstum von rd. 20 - 25% per anno geht in Ordnung.

Bei ESRX investiert man in die Gesundheitsbranche, aber ohne evtl. Risiken bzgl. Forschungsgeldern, Nichtzulassungen von Medikamenten oder Patentverfall wie bei klassischen Pharmafirmen.

Ausgehend von der für mich z.Zt. fairen Bewertung sind Kurssteigerungen im Rahmen der Gewinnsteigerungsraten realistisch. Also 20-25% per anno. Was will man mehr?

Insbesondere heute freut mich die Entwicklung der Aktie. Über 4% plus bei leicht fallender Nasdaq. Wohl bedingt, dass der Kurs gerade an seiner 200-Tage-Linie einen Rebound hinlegt.

KLARER EINSTIEGSZEITPUNKT !!!!!!

Gruss space

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Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.608.652 von spaceistheplace am 16.05.06 17:30:38

Express Scripts: Lipitor Market Share Drops Sharply




07-19-06 06:56 PM EST
(Adds Pfizer comment, starting in the third paragraph from the bottom.)

By Peter Loftus

Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

Express Scripts Inc. (ESRX), one of the largest administrators of drug-benefit plans in the U.S., said that market share for Pfizer Inc.'s (PFE) best-selling cholesterol-cutting pill, Lipitor, has fallen more sharply among its patients than in the broader population.

St. Louis-based Express Scripts has been one of the more aggressive managed- care companies in getting its members to switch from Lipitor to other cholesterol medications, notably Merck & Co.'s (MRK) Zocor and its generic equivalent. The shift to Zocor and other generics is intended to reduce costs. Zocor lost its U.S. patent protection last month.

Express Scripts encouraged the shift by removing Lipitor from its preferred- drug list as of Jan. 1, which meant out-of-pocket costs went up for Lipitor users unless they switched to another product, such as Zocor or the generics pravastatin and lovastatin.

Partly as a result, Pfizer's Lipitor sales growth was slower than expected in the first quarter, and the drug has lost prescription market share to competitors. It's still the best-selling drug in the world and last year generated sales of $12.2 billion. Lipitor and Zocor belong to a class of cholesterol pills known as statins, and are intended to help people reduce their risk of heart attacks.

From December through May, Lipitor's share of U.S. cholesterol-medication prescriptions fell 5.6 percentage points nationally, but among Express Scripts' patient population, the decline was 14.6 percentage points, according to data posted recently on Express Script's Web site. Express Scripts, whose clients include employers and health plans, serves about 50 million members.

Express Scripts spokesman Steve Littlejohn said the company couldn't disclose the absolute market-share figures.

Some analysts have estimated Lipitor's share of total U.S. cholesterol prescriptions has fallen to about 41% from above 50% a few years ago. Besides Zocor and its generic equivalent, another competitor that has gained market share is Vytorin, sold by a joint venture of Merck and Schering-Plough Corp. ( SGP).

Express Scripts said the decline in Lipitor market share among its patients was "unprecedented" and may be one of the largest drops in market share for a best-selling drug due to "intervention" by a managed-care company.

Lipitor is one of most potent cholesterol cutters, a big reason behind its success. But Express Scripts has maintained that most of the Lipitor users among its members weren't taking the highest dose of Lipitor, and thus could take a less potent statin with equal effectiveness.

The overall cholesterol-prescription market continues to rise, and Pfizer has boosted prices for Lipitor. So it's possible the company will still be able to post sales growth for the drug despite the decline in prescription market share.

Pfizer has predicted Lipitor sales will exceed $13 billion for 2006; some analysts are expecting around $12.6 billion to $12.7 billion.

Pfizer spokeswoman Vanessa Aristide said the company can't comment on the Express Scripts data until it has a chance to review it. She said the company would provide updates on Lipitor and other key products when it reports second- quarter results Thursday.

Also, she said Lipitor's superior clinical data has allowed Pfizer to sign contracts with many commercial and government customers that will ensure continued access for Lipitor through 2007 and beyond.

Pfizer shares rose 72 cents, or 3.2%, to close at $23.30 Wednesday.

-By Peter Loftus, Dow Jones Newswires; 215-656-8289; [e-mail]


(END) Dow Jones Newswires
07-19-06 1856ET
Copyright (c) 2006 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 22.802.999 von spaceistheplace am 20.07.06 10:05:15

morgen gehts aufwärts....

Express Scripts posts higher profit, increases 2006 forecast (4:21 PM ET) SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Express Scripts Inc. (ESRX : Express Scripts Inc Cl A

4:44pm 07/26/2006
ESRX late Wednesday said its net income for the quarterly period ended June 30 was $107.8 million, or 75 cents a share, vs. $102 million, or 68 cents a share, in the second quarter of 2005. Revenue at the Maryland Heights, Mo.-based pharmacy benefits manager rose to $4.45 billion from $3.94 billion. Analysts were looking for Express Scripts to report revenue of $4.54 billion, according to Thomson First Call. Express Scripts also lifted its full-year 2006 per-share profit forecast to $3.16 to $3.28 from a prior view of $3.10 to $3.22.

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26.07.2006 22:13
Express Scripts Reports Second Quarter 2006 Earnings

ST. LOUIS, July 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Express Scripts, (Nachrichten/Aktienkurs) Inc. announced second quarter net income of $107.8 million, or $0.75 per diluted share. This represents a 25 percent increase over $0.60 per diluted share last year, adjusted to exclude an $0.08 per diluted share non- recurring tax benefit.

During the quarter, Express Scripts repurchased 9.5 million shares of common stock for $707.7 million. To date, the Company has repurchased 39.4 million shares under its 48 million authorized share repurchase program. The Company reported cash flow from operations of $152.8 million in the second quarter compared to $178.3 million for the same quarter last year. Express Scripts expects that cash flow from operations will be in the $625 to $700 million range for 2006.

"Our strong results reflect the success of our formulary strategy, which promotes the use of lower-cost generic drugs," stated George Paz, president, chief executive officer and chairman. "Clients and their members that acted early to adopt our formulary changes are realizing significant savings. Because our business model is built around the alignment of interests, the more successful we are in helping clients and members save on prescription drugs, the better we perform."

"There is no greater evidence that our interests are aligned with those of our clients and their members than our industry-leading generic utilization rate," noted Paz. The use of lower-cost generic drugs reached approximately 56.3 percent of total prescriptions in the second quarter compared to 53.9 percent for the same period last year.

Total adjusted claims were 129.5 million, an 8 percent decrease from last year, which is consistent with the Company's previous guidance that adjusted claims in 2006 would decline 8 to 10 percent from 2005. Retail network claims processed in the second quarter were 96.9 million, a decrease of 11 percent from 109.5 million processed last year, while home delivery claims increased 3 percent to 10.4 million from 10.1 million last year.

Gross profit for the second quarter increased 31 percent to a record $363.6 million from $276.8 million last year. The increase reflects the growth in specialty drugs, including the addition of Priority Healthcare ("Priority"), lower retail and home delivery drug purchasing costs, higher generic utilization, and the growth in home delivery prescriptions. Gross profit per adjusted claim was a record $2.81, a 43 percent increase over $1.96 for the same quarter last year.

Operating income for the quarter increased 30 percent to $192.5 million from $148.4 million for the second quarter of 2005. CuraScript's operating income increased 127 percent to $17.9 million from $7.9 million last year. On a sequential basis, CuraScript's operating income decreased $1.7 million from $19.6 million in the first quarter of 2006. This sequential decrease is due to investments the Company is making in its specialty infrastructure, including the closure of unprofitable infusion sites, and system and other integration activities. "We are rationalizing our footprint, integrating billing and other systems and concentrating on our product portfolio," added Paz. "We believe that the investments we are making better position us to capitalize on the growth opportunities inherent in the specialty market. After integration is completed, margins can be enhanced as we continue to upsell specialty services to our PBM clients and PBM services to our specialty clients, take advantage of our larger scale and reduce costs by improving productivity."

"We are excited about our opportunities in the specialty marketplace," stated Paz. "The benefits of our larger scale are obvious as this year we have been awarded 93 percent of products coming to market in limited and exclusive distribution networks, which better positions us for future growth. We continue to capture an increased share of our clients' specialty spend, and we have won new PBM clients this year as a result of our ability to leverage an existing client relationship with CuraScript. We believe we are well positioned in the specialty space, and our specialty business is still on track to be one of our major growth drivers over the next several years."

EBITDA increased 30 percent to $218.6 million from $167.9 million last year. EBITDA per adjusted claim was a record $1.69, a 42 percent increase over $1.19 in the second quarter of 2005.

"Our formulary strategy in the first half of the year positioned both our clients and Express Scripts to benefit from the wave of generics that began in the second half of the year," added Paz. "As a result of the success of our formulary strategy, and strong underlying trends for continued growth in generic utilization, specialty pharmacy and home delivery, we are raising our 2006 earnings guidance." The Company is increasing its previous 2006 diluted earnings per share guidance from a range of $3.10 to $3.22 to a range of $3.16 to $3.28.

Express Scripts, Inc. is one of the largest PBM companies in North America, providing PBM services to over 50 million members. Express Scripts serves thousands of client groups, including managed-care organizations, insurance carriers, employers, third-party administrators, public sector, and union-sponsored benefit plans.

Express Scripts provides integrated PBM services, including network- pharmacy claims processing, home delivery services, benefit-design consultation, drug-utilization review, formulary management, disease management, and medical- and drug-data analysis services. The Company also distributes a full range of injectable and infusion biopharmaceutical products directly to patients or their physicians, and provides extensive cost- management and patient-care services.

Express Scripts is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. More information can be found at http://www.express-scripts.com/ , which includes expanded investor information and resources.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements related to the Company's plans, objectives, expectations (financial and otherwise) or intentions. Actual results may differ significantly from those projected or suggested in any forward-looking statements. Factors that may impact these forward-looking statements include but are not limited to:

-- uncertainties associated with our acquisitions (including our acquisition of Priority Healthcare), which include integration risks and costs, uncertainties associated with client retention and repricing of client contracts, and uncertainties associated with the operations of acquired businesses -- costs and uncertainties of adverse results in litigation, including a number of pending class action cases that challenge certain of our business practices -- investigations of certain PBM practices and pharmaceutical pricing, marketing and distribution practices currently being conducted by the U.S. Attorney offices in Philadelphia and Boston, and by other regulatory agencies including the Department of Labor, and various state attorneys general -- uncertainties regarding the implementation of the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, including the financial impact to us to the extent that we participate in the program on a risk-bearing basis, uncertainties of client or member losses to other providers under Medicare Part D, and increased regulatory risk -- uncertainties associated with U.S. Centers for Medicare&Medicaid's ("CMS") implementation of the Medicare Part B Competitive Acquisition Program ("CAP"), including the potential loss of clients/revenues to providers choosing to participate in the CAP -- our ability to maintain growth rates, or to control operating or capital costs -- continued pressure on margins resulting from client demands for lower prices, enhanced service offerings and/or higher service levels, and the possible termination of, or unfavorable modification to, contracts with key clients or providers -- competition in the PBM and specialty pharmacy industries, and our ability to consummate contract negotiations with prospective clients, as well as competition from new competitors offering services that may in whole or in part replace services that we now provide to our customers -- results in regulatory matters, the adoption of new legislation or regulations (including increased costs associated with compliance with new laws and regulations), more aggressive enforcement of existing legislation or regulations, or a change in the interpretation of existing legislation or regulations -- increased compliance relating to our contracts with the DoD TRICARE Management Activity and various state governments and agencies -- the possible loss, or adverse modification of the terms, of relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturers, or changes in pricing, discount or other practices of pharmaceutical manufacturers or interruption of the supply of any pharmaceutical products -- the possible loss, or adverse modification of the terms, of contracts with pharmacies in our retail pharmacy network -- the use and protection of the intellectual property we use in our business -- our leverage and debt service obligations, including the effect of certain covenants in our borrowing agreements -- our ability to continue to develop new products, services and delivery channels -- general developments in the health care industry, including the impact of increases in health care costs, changes in drug utilization and cost patterns and introductions of new drugs -- increase in credit risk relative to our clients due to adverse economic trends -- changes in average wholesale prices, which could reduce prices and margins -- our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel -- other risks described from time to time in our filings with the SEC

We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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Express Scripts quarter gains on generics

PrintE-mailDisable live quotesRSSDigg itDel.icio.usBy Carolyn Pritchard, MarketWatch
Last Update: 5:30 PM ET Jul 26, 2006


SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Express Scripts Inc. late Wednesday reported higher second-quarter results, helped by the promotion of lower-cost generic drugs.
The Maryland Heights, Mo.-based pharmacy benefits manager
12:22am 07/27/2006


ESRX (75.72, +0.08, +0.1%) said net earnings for the quarter ended June 30 were $107.8 million, or 75 cents a share, vs. $102 million, or 68 cents a share, in the second quarter of 2005.
Revenue rose to $4.45 billion from $3.94 billion.
Analysts were looking for revenue of $4.54 billion, according to Thomson First Call.
Express Scripts said that of total prescriptions in the quarter, 56.3% of them were lower-cost generics, up from 53.9% in the same period last year.
The number of total adjusted claims fell 8% year-over-year, to 129.5 million, and decreased 4% from 134.9 million in the first quarter.
Retail network claims processed in the quarter ended June 30 were 96.9 million vs. 109.5 million in the second quarter of 2005 and 102.4 million in the first quarter of 2006. Home delivery prescriptions, meanwhile, rose 3% year-over-year to 10.4 million from 10.1 million; home delivery claims were 10.3 million in the first quarter.
Gross profit per adjusted claim was $2.81, a 43% increase over $1.96 in the second quarter of last year.
Express Scripts also lifted its full-year 2006 per-share profit forecast to $3.16 to $3.28 from a prior view of $3.10 to $3.22. Analysts are forecasting earnings of $3.18 a share for the period, on average.
Shares of Express Scripts rose 3.2% to $78.12 in after-hours trade.
Carolyn Pritchard is a reporter for MarketWatch in San Francisco.

[spaceistheplace]

Hallo zusammen,

ich melde mich jetzt für gut 2 Wochen ab, ich mache Urlaub bzw. Pause von der Börse und lasse mich überraschen, wie es danach aussieht...
stop-losses oder solche Sachen habe ich nicht gesetzt....
macht’s gut bis dann...

Gruss space

[spaceistheplace]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 23.314.166 von spaceistheplace am 04.08.06 10:50:36

strong buy und sonst nix....endlich haben mal analos recht...Prudential für mich noch eine der Besten..

Gruss space


Prudential.: Express Scripts, Inc. - Kaufen

Mittwoch, 30. August 2006 15:33

Prudential hat Aktien von Express Scripts auf "Overweight" hochgestuft. Die Analysten verwiesen in ihrer Studie vom Mittwoch auf sich weiter verbessernde Fundamentaldaten. Das Kursziel für die Papiere wurde von 80 auf 92 US-Dollar erhöht.

Analyst David H. Shove zeigte sich nach einem Treffen mit dem Management überzeugt, dass der US-Großhändler für Pharmaprodukte die Chancen, die der beschleunigt wachsende Generika-Markt bietet, voll ausnutzen wird. Aufgrund der engen Bindung der Managmement-Entlohnung an eine überdurchschnittliche Unternehmensentwicklung sei die Motivation hoch.

Entsprechend der Einstufung "Overweight" rechnet Prudential Equity auf Sicht von zwölf bis achtzehn Monaten mit einem überdurchschnittlichen Gesamtertrag der Aktien. Als Renditemaßstab ziehen die Analysten die anderen von ihnen bewerteten Titel heran./fat/mw

Analysierendes Institut Prudential.



AXC0098 2006-08-30/15:33

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hier noch eine ausführlichere Veröffentlichung zum Kaufbefehl von ESRX:

31.08.2006 12:31
Express Scripts Inc.: overweight (Prudential Financial)
New York (aktiencheck.de AG) - Die Aktienanalysten von Prudential Financial stufen die Aktie des US-amerikanischen Unternehmens Express Scripts (ISIN US3021821000 (Nachrichten/Aktienkurs)/ WKN 900130) auf "overweight" herauf.

Das Upgrade basiere auf verbesserten Fundamentaldaten und der Überzeugung der Analysten, dass das Management die Möglichkeiten, die sich aus der Welle der neu eingeführten Generika ergeben würden, voll ausnutzen werde. Während des letzten Treffens mit den Analysten habe das Management Einsicht in die operativen Maßnahmen sowie die Initiativen für Spezialmedikamente gewährt. Da die Vergütung des Managementteams direkt von einer überdurchschnittlichen Entwicklung des Unternehmens abhänge, sei die Unternehmensleitung sehr motiviert, hohe Gewinne zu liefern.

Des Weiteren gehe man davon aus, dass Express Scripts von einem wachsenden Markt für Spezialmedikamente und von Kosteneinsparungen in der Unternehmensverwaltung profitieren werde. Die EPS-Schätzungen der Analysten für die Fiskaljahre 2006 und 2007 würden von 3,16 USD auf 3,25 USD und von 3,75 USD auf 3,85 USD angehoben. Hieraus lasse sich ein 2006-KGV von 25,1 und ein 2007-KGV von 21,2 errechnen. Das Kursziel der Aktie werde von 92 USD auf 80 USD revidiert.

Vor diesem Hintergrund vergeben die Analysten von Prudential Financial nun das Rating "overweight" für die Aktie von Express Scripts. (30.08.2006/ac/a/a)

Analyse-Datum: 30.08.2006

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Hallo zusammen,

ich melde mich jetzt für 3 Wochen ab, bin unterwegs und werde keinen Zugriff auf WO oder auch mein Depot haben. Ich habe auch keinerlei stop-losses oder so ein Zeugs gemacht...
Also machts gut, bis dann...

Gruss space

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ESRX hebt die Prognosen an. Der Kurs legt in den letzten tagen einen Rebound hin. KGV von rd. 17 bei einem Wachstum von fast 20% in 2007, damit für mich leicht unterbewertet und ein kauf.

Gruss space

14.11.2006 14:01
Express Scripts Provides 2007 Earnings Guidance

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Express Scripts (Nachrichten) announced today that it believes its financial performance will continue to benefit from growth in generic utilization, home delivery, and specialty pharmacy management; lower retail and home delivery drug purchasing costs; improved formulary compliance with preferred, lower-cost brand drugs; increased productivity; and capital structure improvements. As a result, the Company expects its 2007 diluted earnings per share will be in the range of $3.90 to $4.02.

This 2007 guidance includes an allowance for a potential impact arising from possible changes to average wholesale prices ("AWP") as contemplated by the settlement proposed by First DataBank ("FDB") in a civil class action lawsuit. Approximately 92 percent of Express Scripts' contracts with clients contain terms that the Company believes will enable it to mitigate the adverse effect of this potential reduction in FDB's reported AWP. However, the Company cannot predict the precise timing of any AWP changes, or predict with certainty the effect these changes may have upon the Company.

"Our outlook for another year of strong earnings growth reflects the success of our business model, which is built around the alignment of interests," stated George Paz, president, chief executive officer and chairman. "Alignment means that both Express Scripts and our clients benefit when patients use more generics, choose our cost-effective Home Delivery and utilize our specialty pharmacy management services. The more successful we are in helping clients and patients save on prescription drugs, the better we perform."

Express Scripts, Inc. is one of the largest PBM companies in North America, providing PBM services to over 50 million members. Express Scripts serves thousands of client groups, including managed-care organizations, insurance carriers, employers, third-party administrators, public sector, and union-sponsored benefit plans.

Express Scripts provides integrated PBM services, including network- pharmacy claims processing, home delivery services, benefit-design consultation, drug-utilization review, formulary management, disease management, and medical- and drug-data analysis services. The Company also distributes a full range of injectable and infusion biopharmaceutical products directly to patients or their physicians, and provides extensive cost- management and patient-care services.

Express Scripts is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. More information can be found at http://www.express-scripts.com/ , which includes expanded investor information and resources.

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Express Scripts Closes Higher on Outlook
Tuesday November 14, 4:14 pm ET
Express Scripts Closes Higher on Outlook Above Analyst Expectations


NEW YORK (AP) -- Shares of Express Scripts Inc. rose Tuesday after the pharmacy benefits manager issued a 2007 outlook well above analyst estimates.
Shares added $2.15, or 3.3 percent, to close at $68.11 on the Nasdaq, on nearly triple its average daily trading volume. The stock has traded between $58.79 and $95 for the past 52 weeks and is down about 19 percent this year.

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The Maryland Heights, Mo., company said it expects 2007 profit between $3.90 and $4.02 per share, ahead of the average analyst estimate of $3.84 per share.

Morgan Stanley analyst David T. Veal said in a client note the high guidance could cause a sustained rally, as the stock has been oversold in recent months.

Shares are down about 20 percent from the beginning of September after being hammered by news of generic drug discounts from Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and other issues.

"The release of 2007 guidance well above expectations should in our view be a meaningful upside catalyst for the stock and the group," wrote Veal.

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Höchste Zeit zum Nachkauf!!!! Ich habs heute nachmittag kurz nach veröffentlichung der zahlen getan....
Gruss space

Express Scripts boosts earnings view for fiscal 2007

PrintDisable live quotesRSSDigg itDel.icio.usBy Michael Baron
Last Update: 8:53 AM ET Feb 8, 2007


NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Express Scripts Inc. (ESRX : Express Scripts Inc Cl A
News , chart, profile, more
Last: 72.08+0.85+1.19%

9:22am 02/08/2007

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ESRX72.08, +0.85, +1.2%) Thursday lifted its outlook for fiscal 2007 to earnings of $4.08 to $4.20 a share from a prior projection for a profit of $3.90 to $4.02 a share. For the first quarter, the St. Louis provider of pharmacy benefit management services now sees earnings of 90 to 95 cents a share for the first quarter, above its previous estimate for earnings of 85 to 90 cents a share. The current average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial is for earnings of 88 cents a share in the first quarter and $3.95 a share in fiscal 2007. The company also said it now sees cash flow from operations of between $700 million and $800 million for 2007. The company noted its outlook specifically excludes the financial impact of either a completed acquisition or an unsuccessful effort to acquire Caremark. Express Scripts added that its board has approved an increase in its buyback program, allowing for the repurchase of up to $1 billion worth of common stock or up to 14.1 million shares, whichever comes first. The company plans to "promptly commence" this share repurchase program if Caremark shareholders vote in favor of that company merging with CVS. Express Scripts' shares closed Wednesday at $72.08, up 1.2%.

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Express Scripts: Gewinn im vierten Quartal gesteigert, Jahresprognose angehoben


Maryland Heights (aktiencheck.de AG) - Der US-Gesundheitsdienstleister Express Scripts Inc. (ISIN US3021821000/ WKN 900130), der die Caremark Rx Inc. (ISIN US1417051034/ WKN 899118) übernehmen will, meldete am Donnerstag, dass er seinen Gewinn im vierten Quartal gesteigert und die Erwartungen übertroffen hat. Zudem wurde die Jahresprognose angehoben.
Der Nettogewinn belief sich auf 147,2 Mio. Dollar bzw. 1,07 Dollar pro Aktie, gegenüber 111,1 Mio. Dollar bzw. 75 Cents pro Aktie im Vorjahr. Der bereinigte Gewinn lag bei 1,02 Dollar pro Aktie. Der Umsatz verringerte sich um 1 Prozent auf 4,53 Mrd. Dollar.

Analysten waren im Vorfeld von Gewinn von 97 Cents pro Aktie und einem Umsatz von 4,60 Mrd. Dollar ausgegangen. Für das laufende Quartal prognostizieren sie ein EPS-Ergebnis von 88 Cents bei Erlösen von 4,52 Mrd. Dollar.

Für das laufende Geschäftsjahr 2007 rechnet der Konzern nun mit einem EPS-Ergebnis von 4,08 bis 4,20 Dollar (zuvor: 3,90 bis 4,02 Dollar). Die durchschnittliche Marktschätzung sieht hier ein Ergebnis pro Aktie von 3,95 Dollar vor.

Die Aktie der Express Scripts gewinnt an der NYSE vorbörslich aktuell 2,11 Prozent auf 73,60 Dollar. (08.02.2007/ac/n/a)

Quelle: Finanzen.net 08.02.2007 15:33:00

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Express Scripts profit soars, ups outlook

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Express Scripts Inc. on Thursday said fourth-quarter profit rose 32%, helped by higher use of generic drugs - and the pharmacy benefits management company boosted its full year outlook.
Before the start of trading, St. Louis-based Express Scripts said it earned $147.2 million, or $1.07 a share, in the fourth quarter, up from $111.1 million, or 75 cents, in the year-ago period. Excluding items, the pharmacy benefit management company would have earned $1.02 a share.
Revenue came in at $4.53 billion, down slightly from $4.58 billion.
The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial had been for the company to earn 97 cents a share on $4.6 billion in revenue.
Of Express Scripts' total prescriptions during the fourth quarter, 59.7% were for generic drugs compared with 58.3% in the third quarter and 55.4% in the same quarter of 2005..
Total adjusted claims stood at 130 million vs. 125.1 million in the prior quarter.
The company also Thursday lifted its outlook for fiscal 2007 and now expects to earn $4.08 to $4.20 a share, up from a prior projection of $3.90 to $4.02 a share. For the first quarter, it now sees earnings of 90 to 95 cents a share, above its previous estimate for earnings of 85 to 90 cents a share. The current average analyst estimate is for earnings of 88 cents a share in the first quarter and $3.95 a share in fiscal 2007.
In addition, Express Scripts is looking for cash flow from operations of between $700 million and $800 million for 2007. The company said that excludes the financial impact of either a completed acquisition or an unsuccessful effort to acquire Caremark.
Express Scripts said its board has approved an increase in its share buyback program, allowing for the repurchase of up to $1 billion worth of common stock or up to 14.1 million shares, whichever comes first.
The company said it plans to "promptly commence" this share repurchase program if Caremark shareholders vote in favor of that company merging with CVS (CVS : cvs corp com
Express Scripts' shares closed Wednesday at $72.08, up 1.2%

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und heute ne heraufstufung durch Jeffries...das wird dem Kurs weiter auf die Sprünge helfen...vorbörslich 1,5% im Plus....
Gruss space

[spaceistheplace]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 27.659.819 von spaceistheplace am 12.02.07 14:30:57

Express Scripts (ESRX) upgraded at Jefferies:
ESRX upgraded to Buy rating from Hold at Jefferies. Price target jumps to $90 from $77. 2007 EPS estimates rise to $4.16 from $3.95 and 2008 EPS estimates rise to $4.96 from $4.59.

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Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 27.662.624 von spaceistheplace am 12.02.07 16:30:33

Express Scripts Comments on Revised CVS Offer
Urges Stockholders to Vote GOLD Proxy Card AGAINST Proposed CVS Transaction Now Express Scripts Extends Tender Offer to March 16, 2007
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Last Update: 11:32 AM ET Feb 13, 2007


ST. LOUIS, Feb 13, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Express Scripts, Inc. (ESRX) today commented on CVS Corporation's ) revised offer to acquire Caremark Rx, Inc.
The Company stated: "Today's announcement can't paper over a flawed process, weaker currency, and unproven strategic rationale. Caremark stockholders are still being offered a low growth CVS currency and ownership in a CVS/Caremark combination that is predicated on a model that history shows will destroy value. By contrast, Express Scripts is offering Caremark stockholders greater certainty of value through a significant cash payment - approximately 50% of the total consideration - in a combination based on a model that has historically added value."
Four of the nation's leading independent proxy advisory firms, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), CtW Investment Group, Glass Lewis & Co. and Egan-Jones, have recommended Caremark stockholders vote AGAINST the proposed acquisition by CVS at the upcoming special meeting of stockholders.
In its M&A Insight Analysis, ISS stated:

"Based on the risky strategic rationale, the nil-premium offer price,
the initial poor market reaction ... we cannot fathom why the CMX board
did not ... commence non-binding negotiations with ESRX after it had
submitted its unsolicited offer."*


The Company further commented, "Caremark stockholders should be disappointed that instead of leveling the playing field and sitting down to discuss our superior proposal to acquire Caremark, the Caremark Board continues to ignore its responsibilities to meet with us. Caremark stockholders should vote against the CVS/Caremark transaction and send a message to the Board that it is time to level the playing field. It is time for the Board to allow a full and fair process to determine what is in the best interests of Caremark stockholders."
The advantages of an Express Scripts/Caremark combination remain compelling. Historically, vertical integrations involving a PBM have resulted in value destruction on average of 36%. By contrast, horizontal PBM transactions, like the proposed Express Scripts/Caremark combination, result in value creation on average of 89%. Express Scripts believes that Caremark stockholders will see greater benefits through a combination with Express Scripts, under a strategy that has proven to be successful, time and time again. Express Scripts remains committed to pursuing a combination with Caremark to create superior value for stockholders, plan sponsors and patients.
Express Scripts urges Caremark stockholders vote AGAINST the CVS transaction by signing, dating and mailing in the GOLD proxy card today.
Caremark stockholders are reminded that their vote is important. Stockholders may be able to vote their shares by telephone or by the Internet, and are advised that if they have any questions or need any assistance in voting their shares, they should contact Express Scripts' proxy advisor, MacKenzie Partners, Inc. Toll-Free at 800-322-2885.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Arnold & Porter LLP are acting as legal counsel to Express Scripts, and Citigroup Corporate and Investment Banking and Credit Suisse are acting as financial advisors. MacKenzie Partners, Inc. is acting as proxy advisor to Express Scripts.
Express Scripts also announced that it has extended the expiration date of its exchange offer for all of the outstanding shares of Caremark. The offer, which was scheduled to expire at midnight, Eastern Time, on Tuesday, February 13, 2007, has been extended until midnight, Eastern Time, Friday, March 16, 2007, unless extended. As of the close of business on February 12, 2007, a total of 4,331,533 shares of Caremark common stock had been tendered into the exchange offer. The Exchange Offer is subject to a number of conditions as described in the prospectus/offer to exchange.
Caremark stockholders may obtain copies of the proxy materials including the GOLD proxy card and all of the offering documents, including the prospectus/offer to exchange (and the related letter of transmittal), free of charge at the SEC's website ( www.sec.gov) or by directing a request to MacKenzie Partners, Inc., at 800-322-2885 or by email at [e-mail].
*Permission to use quotation was neither sought nor obtained.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements related to the Company's plans, objectives, expectations (financial and otherwise) or intentions. Actual results may differ significantly from those projected or suggested in any forward-looking statements. Factors that may impact these forward-looking statements include but are not limited to:
- uncertainties associated with our acquisitions, which include
integration risks and costs, uncertainties associated with client
retention and repricing of client contracts, and uncertainties
associated with the operations of acquired businesses

- costs and uncertainties of adverse results in litigation, including a
number of pending class action cases that challenge certain of our
business practices

- investigations of certain PBM practices and pharmaceutical pricing,
marketing and distribution practices currently being conducted by the
U.S. Attorney offices in Philadelphia and Boston, and by other
regulatory agencies including the Department of Labor, and various state
attorneys general

- changes in average wholesale prices ("AWP"), which could reduce prices
and margins, including the impact of a proposed settlement in a class
action case involving First DataBank, an AWP reporting service

- uncertainties regarding the implementation of the Medicare Part D
prescription drug benefit, including the financial impact to us to the
extent that we participate in the program on a risk-bearing basis,
uncertainties of client or member losses to other providers under
Medicare Part D, and increased regulatory risk

- uncertainties associated with U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid's
("CMS") implementation of the Medicare Part B Competitive Acquisition
Program ("CAP"), including the potential loss of clients/revenues to
providers choosing to participate in the CAP

- our ability to maintain growth rates, or to control operating or capital
costs

- continued pressure on margins resulting from client demands for lower
prices, enhanced service offerings and/or higher service levels, and the
possible termination of, or unfavorable modification to, contracts with
key clients or providers

- competition in the PBM and specialty pharmacy industries, and our
ability to consummate contract negotiations with prospective clients, as
well as competition from new competitors offering services that may in
whole or in part replace services that we now provide to our customers

- results in regulatory matters, the adoption of new legislation or
regulations (including increased costs associated with compliance with
new laws and regulations), more aggressive enforcement of existing
legislation or regulations, or a change in the interpretation of
existing legislation or regulations

- increased compliance relating to our contracts with the DoD TRICARE
Management Activity and various state governments and agencies

- the possible loss, or adverse modification of the terms, of
relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturers, or changes in pricing,
discount or other practices of pharmaceutical manufacturers or
interruption of the supply of any pharmaceutical products

- the possible loss, or adverse modification of the terms, of contracts
with pharmacies in our retail pharmacy network

- the use and protection of the intellectual property we use in our
business

- our leverage and debt service obligations, including the effect of
certain covenants in our borrowing agreements

- our ability to continue to develop new products, services and delivery
channels

- general developments in the health care industry, including the impact
of increases in health care costs, changes in drug utilization and cost
patterns and introductions of new drugs

- increase in credit risk relative to our clients due to adverse economic
trends

- our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel

- other risks described from time to time in our filings with the SEC


Risks and uncertainties relating to the proposed transaction that may impact forward-looking statements include but are not limited to:
- Express Scripts and Caremark may not enter into any definitive agreement
with respect to the proposed transaction

- required regulatory approvals may not be obtained in a timely manner, if
at all

- the proposed transaction may not be consummated

- the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction may not be realized

- the integration of Caremark's operations with Express Scripts may be
materially delayed or may be more costly or difficult than expected

- the proposed transaction would materially increase leverage and debt
service obligations, including the effect of certain covenants in any
new borrowing agreements.


We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Important Information
Express Scripts has filed a proxy statement in connection with Caremark's special meeting of stockholders at which the Caremark stockholders will consider the CVS Merger Agreement and matters in connection therewith. Express Scripts stockholders are strongly advised to read that proxy statement and the accompanying form of GOLD proxy card, as they contain important information. Express Scripts also intends to file a proxy statement in connection with Caremark's annual meeting of stockholders at which the Caremark stockholders will vote on the election of directors to the board of directors of Caremark. Express Scripts stockholders are strongly advised to read this proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card when they become available, as each will contain important information. Stockholders may obtain each proxy statement, proxy card and any amendments or supplements thereto which are or will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") free of charge at the SEC's website ( www.sec.gov) or by directing a request to MacKenzie Partners, Inc., at 800-322-2885 or by email at [e-mail].
In addition, this material is not a substitute for the prospectus/offer to exchange and registration statement that Express Scripts has filed with the SEC regarding its exchange offer for all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Caremark. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents, all other applicable documents, and any amendments or supplements thereto when they become available, because each contains or will contain important information. Such documents are or will be available free of charge at the SEC's website ( www.sec.gov) or by directing a request to MacKenzie Partners, Inc., at 800-322-2885 or by email at [e-mail].
Express Scripts and its directors, executive officers and other employees may be deemed to be participants in any solicitation of Express Scripts or Caremark shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about Express Scripts' directors and executive officers is available in Express Scripts' proxy statement, dated April 18, 2006, filed in connection with its 2006 annual meeting of stockholders. Additional information about the interests of potential participants is included in the proxy statement filed in connection with Caremark's special meeting to approve the proposed merger with CVS and will be included in any proxy statement regarding the proposed transaction. We have also filed additional information regarding our solicitation of stockholders with respect to Caremark's annual meeting on a Schedule 14A pursuant to Rule 14a-12 on January 9, 2007.
About Express Scripts
Express Scripts, Inc. is one of the largest PBM companies in North America, providing PBM services to over 50 million members. Express Scripts serves thousands of client groups, including managed-care organizations, insurance carriers, employers, third-party administrators, public sector, and union-sponsored benefit plans.
Express Scripts provides integrated PBM services, including network- pharmacy claims processing, home delivery services, benefit-design consultation, drug-utilization review, formulary management, disease management, and medical- and drug-data analysis services. The Company also distributes a full range of injectable and infusion biopharmaceutical products directly to patients or their physicians, and provides extensive cost- management and patient-care services.
Express Scripts is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. More information can be found at http://www.express-scripts.com, which includes expanded investor information and resources.

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hier noch das Wichtigste zur CVS-Geschichte...

CVS erhöht Angebot für Caremark um Sonderdividende


Woonsocket (aktiencheck.de AG) - Die US-Drugstorekette CVS Corp. (ISIN US1266501006/ WKN 859034) hat am Dienstag ihr Übernahmeangebot für die Caremark Rx Inc. (ISIN US1417051034/ WKN 899118) erhöht.
Demnach bietet CVS eine zusätzliche Sonderdividende von 6 Dollar je Aktie an. Das neue Angebot liegt damit bei 23,5 Mrd. Dollar bzw. 53,87 Dollar und somit weiterhin unter dem des Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Express Scripts Inc. (ISIN US3021821000/ WKN 900130), der rund 26,7 Mrd. Dollar bzw. 61,20 Dollar je Aktie bietet.

Caremark hatte in der Vergangenheit das Angebot von Express Scripts abgelehnt und das von CVS bevorzugt. Als Begründung für die Zurückweisung des Express Scripts-Angebots waren dabei neben fragwürdigen Berechnungen zu entstehenden Synergien signifikante wettbewerbsrechtliche Bedenken und zeitliche Verzögerungen genannt. Eine Fusion zwischen Caremark und CVS soll den Angaben zufolge durch die Zusammenlegung der jeweiligen PBM-Geschäfte voraussichtlich Kostensynergien in Höhe von mehr als 500 Mio. Dollar erzeugen.

Die Aktie von Express Scripts kann an der NASDAQ 0,09 Prozent auf 74,80 Dollar zulegen, die von Caremark Rx gewinnt derzeit an der NYSE 3,17 Prozent auf 62,84 Dollar, während CVS-Papiere derzeit an der NYSE 0,58 Prozent auf 32,30 Dollar nachgeben. (13.02.2007/ac/n/a)

Quelle: Finanzen.net 13.02.2007 19:49:00

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Saubere Zahlern von ESRX !!!!
nachbörslich 4,5% im PLus....

Express Scripts reports 28% profit rise, lifts outlook

PrintE-mailDisable live quotesRSSDigg itDel.icio.usBy Carolyn Pritchard, MarketWatch
Last Update: 6:26 PM ET Apr 23, 2007


SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Express Scripts Inc. late Monday reported a 28% rise in first-quarter profit, boosted by higher sales of generic drugs, and lifted its forecast for the full-year period.
The St. Louis-based pharmacy benefit manager reported net earnings of $133.7 million, or 97 cents a share, for the most recent quarter, up from $104.7 million, or 70 cents a share, in the same quarter a year earlier. Excluding onetime items, the per-share profit stood at $1.04.
Revenue rose to $4.54 billion from $4.38 billion.
According to analysts polled by Thomson Financial, the company was expected to turn in a per-share profit of 94 cents.
Shares of Express Scripts rose more than 4% in late trading, to $92.75.
Of total prescriptions, 60.3% were for generic drugs in the latest quarter, up from 59.7% in the fourth quarter and 56.3% in the first quarter of 2006.
Citing strong underlying trends, including lower drug purchasing costs and higher generic utilization, the increased share repurchase program, and other productivity improvements, Express Scripts lifted its full-year 2007 earnings forecast to $4.29 to $4.41 a share from a range of $4.14 to $4.26 a share.
The company also said there was a potential upside of 14 cents to 16 cents a share to its earnings forecast, primarily from a reduction in its allowance for the potential impact changes to average wholesale prices. The potential upside would be recognized in the second half of the year, the lion's share of it in the fourth quarter.
Express Scripts raised its forecast for cash flow from operations as well, to a range of $750 million to $850 million from $700 million to $800 million.
Express Scripts during the quarter lost a heated takeover battle of fellow pharmacy benefit manager Caremark Rx Inc. to drugstore operator CVS Corp.; it took a $23 million charge for transaction costs related to the bid for Caremark. See full story.
It will record a $4.3 million gain in the second quarter from the sale, this month, of its CVS/Caremark shares.

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Keine Wunder bei der Kursentwicklung der letzten Monate...

Express Scripts Declares 2-For-1 Stk Split

By John Seward
Last Update: 4:09 PM ET May 23, 2007


Express Scripts Inc.'s board approved a 2-for-1 stock split in the form of a stock dividend. The St. Louis prescription services company said the split is payable on about June 22 to shareholders of record June 8. The company recently had 136.2 million shares outstanding.

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Hallo zusammen,

ich melde mich jetzt schon mal für 2 Wochen ab, ich bin ab Morgen mal in Urlaub nach dem ganzen Börsenstreß und werde keinen Zugriff auf WO oder auch mein Depot haben. Ich habe auch keinerlei stop-losses oder so ein Zeugs gemacht, warum auch....
Also machts gut, bis dann...

Gruss space

[spaceistheplace]

super Ergebnisse wieder von ESRX:

Express Scripts Reports Strong Second Quarter Earnings
Company Raises 2007 Earnings Per Share Guidance; Announces Increase in Share Repurchase Authorization


Last Update: 4:06 PM ET Jul 25, 2007


ST. LOUIS, Jul 25, 2007 (PrimeNewswire via COMTEX) -- Express Scripts, Inc. (ESRX : Express Scripts Inc Cl A
News , chart , profile , more
Last: 51.98-0.30-0.57%

4:02pm 07/25/2007

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ESRX51.98, -0.30, -0.6%) announced second quarter net income of $152.7 million, or $0.57 per diluted share. Excluding a non-recurring gain on the sale of stock that is discussed below, earnings per diluted share was $0.56, a 47 percent increase over $0.38 per diluted share for the same quarter last year. All per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the Company's 2-for-1 stock split, which was effective June 22, 2007.
During the quarter, Express Scripts repurchased 17.0 million shares of common stock (on a split-adjusted basis) for $826.7 million, and to date, the Company has repurchased 100.7 million shares. The Board approved an increase in the share repurchase program by an additional 8 million shares to an aggregate program of 120 million shares. The Company reported year-to-date cash flow from operations of $251.3 million compared to $193.8 million for the same period last year, and is on track to generate $750 to $850 million for the year.
"Our formulary strategy reinforces our business model, which is built around alignment of interests with plan sponsors and patients," stated George Paz, president, chief executive officer and chairman. "We demonstrated the power of teaming up with plan sponsors and patients to move market share to generics and lower-cost preferred drugs. Together, we seized opportunities to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and at the same time, changed the marketplace."
Second Quarter Review
Generic utilization reached a record 61.1 percent compared to 56.3 percent last year. Total adjusted claims for the quarter were 126.0 million. Retail network claims processed in the second quarter were 94.1 million, home delivery claims were 10.2 million, and Specialty and Ancillary Services ("SAAS") claims were 1.2 million.
Gross profit for the second quarter increased 22 percent to $443.4 million from $363.6 million last year. The increase reflects higher generic utilization and lower retail and home delivery drug purchasing costs. Gross profit per adjusted claim was a record $3.52, a 25 percent increase over $2.81 for the same quarter last year.
Operating income increased 35 percent to $260.3 million from $192.5 million last year. Operating income for the SAAS segment decreased $5.9 million sequentially from $16.4 million in the first quarter of 2007 to $10.5 million in the second quarter. This decrease was due to a $4.0 million charge to bad debt expense in the infusion business and normal seasonality in the mix of drugs dispensed in the specialty pharmacy. The Company believes that the combination of its PBM and specialty offerings provides a cost-effective single source solution for its clients, and contributed to strong operating income in the PBM segment, which increased 47 percent to $249.8 million compared to $169.9 million last year.
Higher generic utilization and lower retail and home delivery drug purchasing costs translated into strong EBITDA growth. EBITDA increased 31 percent to $286.5 million from $218.6 million last year and reached a record $2.27 per adjusted claim, a 34 percent increase over $1.69 last year.
During the quarter, the Company recorded a non-recurring gain of $4.2 million ($2.7 million, net of tax), or $0.01 per diluted share resulting from the sale of its CVS/Caremark shares in April 2007.
2007 Earnings Guidance
Changes to the Average Wholesale Price ("AWP") drug pricing benchmark required by a settlement of a class action suit against a drug price reporting service are no longer expected to take effect in 2007. As a result, the Company is eliminating the allowance for the potential impact of the AWP settlement in its current earnings forecast.
After eliminating the allowance for AWP changes that the Company had previously announced and further evaluating the strong underlying trends in the business, the Company is raising its previous 2007 diluted earnings per share guidance from a range of $2.15 to $2.21 to a range of $2.23 to $2.29. This guidance range excludes the non-recurring items identified in Tables 3 and 4 below.
Express Scripts, Inc. is one of the largest PBM companies in North America, providing PBM services to over 50 million members through thousands of client groups, including managed-care organizations, insurance carriers, employers, third-party administrators, public sector, workers compensation, and union-sponsored benefit plans.
Express Scripts provides integrated PBM services, including network-pharmacy claims processing, home delivery services, benefit-design consultation, drug-utilization review, formulary management, disease management, and medical- and drug-data analysis services. The Company also distributes a full range of injectable and infusion biopharmaceutical products directly to patients or their physicians, and provides extensive cost-management and patient-care services.
Express Scripts is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. More information can be found at http://www.express-scripts.com, which includes expanded investor information and resources.
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements related to the Company's plans, objectives, expectations (financial and otherwise) or intentions. Actual results may differ significantly from those projected or suggested in any forward-looking statements. Factors that may impact these forward-looking statements include but are not limited to:


* uncertainties associated with our acquisitions, which include
integration risks and costs, uncertainties associated with client
retention and repricing of client contracts, and uncertainties
associated with the operations of acquired businesses
* costs and uncertainties of adverse results in litigation, including
a number of pending class action cases that challenge certain of
our business practices
* investigations of certain PBM practices and pharmaceutical pricing,
marketing and distribution practices currently being conducted by
the U.S. Attorney offices in Boston, and by other regulatory
agencies including the Department of Labor, and various state
attorneys general
* changes in industry pricing benchmarks such as average wholesale
price ("AWP") and average manufacturer price ("AMP") , which could
have the effect of reducing prices and margins, including the
impact of a proposed settlement in a class action case involving
First DataBank, an AWP reporting service
* uncertainties regarding the implementation of the Medicare Part D
prescription drug benefit, including the financial impact to us to
the extent that we participate in the program on a risk-bearing
basis, uncertainties of client or member losses to other providers
under Medicare Part D, and increased regulatory risk
* uncertainties associated with U.S. Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid's ("CMS") implementation of the Medicare Part B
Competitive Acquisition Program ("CAP"), including the potential
loss of clients/revenues to providers choosing to participate in
the CAP
* increased compliance relating to our contracts with the DoD TRICARE
Management Activity and various state governments and agencies
* our ability to maintain growth rates, or to control operating or
capital costs
* continued pressure on margins resulting from client demands for
lower prices, enhanced service offerings and/or higher service
levels, and the possible termination of, or unfavorable
modification to, contracts with key clients or providers
* competition in the PBM and specialty pharmacy industries, and our
ability to consummate contract negotiations with prospective
clients, as well as competition from new competitors offering
services that may in whole or in part replace services that we now
provide to our customers
* results in regulatory matters, the adoption of new legislation or
regulations (including increased costs associated with compliance
with new laws and regulations), more aggressive enforcement of
existing legislation or regulations, or a change in the
interpretation of existing legislation or regulations
* the possible loss, or adverse modification of the terms, of
relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturers, or changes in
pricing, discount or other practices of pharmaceutical
manufacturers or interruption of the supply of any pharmaceutical
products
* the possible loss, or adverse modification of the terms, of
contracts with pharmacies in our retail pharmacy network
* the use and protection of the intellectual property we use in our
business
* our leverage and debt service obligations, including the effect of
certain covenants in our borrowing agreements
* our ability to continue to develop new products, services and
delivery channels
* general developments in the health care industry, including the
impact of increases in health care costs, changes in drug
utilization and cost patterns and introductions of new drugs
* increase in credit risk relative to our clients due to adverse
economic trends
* our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel
* other risks described from time to time in our filings with the SEC


We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.


EXPRESS SCRIPTS, INC.
Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Operations

Three months ended Six months ended
June 30, June 30,
---------------------- ----------------------
(in millions, except
per share data) 2007 2006 2007 2006
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

Revenues (1) $ 4,600.4 $ 4,421.1 $ 9,139.9 $ 8,801.1
Cost of revenues (1) 4,157.0 4,057.5 8,270.4 8,092.9
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Gross profit 443.4 363.6 869.5 708.2
Selling, general and
administrative 183.1 171.1 355.8 332.2
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Operating income 260.3 192.5 513.7 376.0
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Other (expense)
income:
Non-operating gains
(charges), net 4.2 -- (18.8) --
Undistributed loss
from joint venture (0.4) (0.3) (0.8) (0.8)
Interest income 2.6 4.0 5.4 9.0
Interest expense (25.6) (23.7) (47.8) (44.2)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(19.2) (20.0) (62.0) (36.0)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income before income
taxes 241.1 172.5 451.7 340.0
Provision for income
taxes 88.4 64.7 165.3 127.5
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net income $ 152.7 $ 107.8 $ 286.4 212.5
========== ========== ========== ==========
Basic earnings per
share $ 0.58 $ 0.38 $ 1.07 $ 0.74
========== ========== ========== ==========
Weighted average
number of common
shares outstanding
during the period
- Basic EPS 263.6 282.4 267.6 287.6
========== ========== ========== ==========
Diluted earnings per
share $ 0.57 $ 0.38 $ 1.06 $ 0.73
========== ========== ========== ==========
Weighted average
number of common
shares outstanding
during the period
- Diluted EPS 267.0 286.8 271.1 292.4
========== ========== ========== ==========

(1) Excludes estimated retail pharmacy co-payments of $943.9 and
$1,045.7 for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006,
respectively and $1,932.1 and $2,266.5 for the six months ended
June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. These are amounts we
instructed retail pharmacies to collect from members. We have no
information regarding actual co-payments collected.


EXPRESS SCRIPTS, INC.
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet

June 30, December 31,
(in millions, except share data) 2007 2006

Assets ----------- -----------
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 111.2 $ 131.0
Receivables, net 1,303.9 1,334.4
Inventories 198.4 194.6
Deferred taxes 107.1 90.9
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 24.2 21.2
----------- -----------
Total current assets 1,744.8 1,772.1
Property and equipment, net 198.5 201.4
Goodwill 2,688.0 2,686.0
Other intangible assets, net 360.5 378.4
Other assets 41.1 70.2
----------- -----------
Total assets $ 5,032.9 $ 5,108.1
=========== ===========
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Claims and rebates payable $ 1,198.3 $ 1,275.7
Accounts payable 570.2 583.4
Accrued expenses 346.4 390.2
Current maturities of long-term debt 220.1 180.1
----------- -----------
Total current liabilities 2,335.0 2,429.4
Long-term debt 1,700.3 1,270.4
Other liabilities 310.2 283.4
----------- -----------
Total liabilities 4,345.5 3,983.2
----------- -----------
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, 5,000,000 shares
authorized, $0.01 par value per share;
and no shares issued and outstanding -- --
Common stock, 1,300,000,000 shares
authorized, $0.01 par value per share;
shares issued: 318,867,000 and 159,442,000,
respectively; shares outstanding:
257,851,000 and 135,650,000, respectively 3.2 1.6
Additional paid-in capital 538.1 495.3
Accumulated other comprehensive income 15.0 11.9
Retained earnings 2,303.5 2,017.3
----------- -----------
2,859.8 2,526.1
Common stock in treasury at cost,
61,016,000 and 23,792,000 shares,
respectively (2,172.4) (1,401.2)
----------- -----------
Total stockholders' equity 687.4 1,124.9
----------- -----------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity $ 5,032.9 $ 5,108.1
=========== ===========

EXPRESS SCRIPTS, INC.
Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Six months ended
June 30,
--------------------
(in millions) 2007 2006
--------- ---------
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net income $ 286.4 $ 212.5
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating
activities:
Depreciation and amortization 52.1 51.9
Non-cash adjustments to net income 23.5 13.4
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Claims and rebates payable (77.4) (175.8)
Other net changes in operating assets and
liabilities (33.3) 91.8
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities 251.3 193.8
--------- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment (29.9) ( 20.7)
Sale of marketable securities 34.2 --
Other (0.6) (0.1)
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing
activities 3.7 (20.8)
--------- ---------

Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt 600.0 --
Repayment of long-term debt (80.1) (80.1)
Repayments of revolving credit line, net (50.0) 285.0
Tax benefit relating to employee stock
compensation 39.3 27.5
Treasury stock acquired (826.7) (707.7)
Net proceeds from employee stock plans 42.1 19.7
Deferred financing fees (1.3) (0.3)
--------- ---------
Net cash used in financing activities (276.7) (455.9)
--------- ---------

Effect of foreign currency translation adjustment 1.9 0.9
--------- ---------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (19.8) (282.0)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 131.0 477.9
--------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 111.2 $ 195.9
========= =========


EXPRESS SCRIPTS, INC.
(in millions, except per claim, per share and ratio data)
Table 1
Unaudited Operating Statistics

3 months 3 months 3 months 3 months 3 months
ended ended ended ended ended
6/30/2007 3/31/2007 12/31/2006 9/30/2006 6/30/2006
--------- --------- ---------- --------- ---------
Revenues
--------
PBM (1) 3,669.3 3,608.9 3,626.3 3,465.1 3,528.4
SAAS 931.1 930.6 902.4 865.1 892.7
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total
consolidated
revenues 4,600.4 4,539.5 4,528.7 4,330.2 4,421.1
========= ========= ========= ======== =========

Claims Detail
-------------
Network (2) 94.1 96.8 97.8 93.2 96.9
Home delivery 10.2 10.0 10.3 10.2 10.4
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total PBM claims 104.3 106.8 108.1 103.4 107.3
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Adjusted PBM
claims (3) 124.8 126.8 128.7 123.8 128.1
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
SAAS claims (4) 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.5
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total adjusted
claims (5) 126.0 128.0 130.0 125.1 129.6
========= ========= ========= ======== =========

Per Adjusted Claim
------------------
Adjusted Gross
profit $ 3.52 $ 3.26 $ 3.19 $ 2.99 $ 2.81
Adjusted EBITDA $ 2.27 $ 2.11 $ 2.06 $ 1.84 $ 1.69

Selected Ratio Analysis
Table 2

As of As of As of As of As of
6/30/2007 3/31/2007 12/31/2006 9/30/2006 6/30/2006
--------- --------- ---------- --------- ---------
Debt to EBITDA
ratio (7) 1.8x 1.4x 1.6x 1.9x 2.1x
EBITDA interest
coverage (8) 10.7x 10.2x 9.7x 9.4x 11.5x
Operating cash
flow interest
coverage (9) 7.2x 7.9x 6.9x 6.6x 9.3x
Debt to
capitalization (10) 73.6% 51.4% 56.3% 62.7% 62.4%

See Notes to Unaudited Operating Statistics and Selected Ratio
Analysis


Unaudited Earnings Excluding Non-recurring Items
Table 3

3 months 3 months 6 months 6 months
ended ended ended ended
6/30/2007 6/30/2006 6/30/2007 6/30/2006
--------- --------- --------- ---------

Reported income before taxes $ 241.1 $ 172.5 $ 451.7 $ 340.0
Transaction costs for
terminated proposal to
acquire Caremark, less
special dividend received on
Caremark stock and gain on
sale of Caremark stock (4.2) -- 18.8 --
Settlement of contractual
item with supply chain
vendor -- -- (9.0) --
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Income before taxes excluding
net non-recurring charges 236.9 172.5 461.5 340.0

Adjusted provision for
income taxes 86.9 64.7 168.9 127.5
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income excluding net
non-recurring charges $ 150.0 $ 107.8 $ 292.6 $ 212.5
========= ========= ========= =========

Weighted average number of
shares outstanding during
period - diluted 267.0 286.8 271.1 292.4

Diluted earnings per share
excluding net charges $ 0.56 $ 0.38 $ 1.08 $ 0.73

Diluted earnings per share
as reported 0.57 0.38 1.06 0.73
--------- --------- --------- ---------

Impact of non-recurring items $ 0.01 $ (0.00) $ (0.02) $ (0.00)

The Company is providing diluted earnings per share excluding the
impact of certain charges in order to compare the underlying
financial performance to prior periods.


Earnings Guidance Forecast Excluding Non-recurring Items
Table 4

For the year ended
December 31, 2007
-----------------
Earnings guidance range, including net
non-recurring charges $ 2.21 to $ 2.27

Impact of non-recurring items per Table 3 0.02 0.02
------- -------
Earnings guidance range, excluding net
non-recurring charges $ 2.23 to $ 2.29
======= =======

EXPRESS SCRIPTS, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Operating Statistics and Selected Ratio Analysis
(in millions)

(1) We have reclassified certain amounts deemed immaterial between
PBM revenue and PBM cost of revenue. There is no effect on
Consolidated Gross Profit.

(2) Network claims exclude drug formulary only claims where we only
administer the clients formulary and approximately 0.5 million manual
claims per quarter.

(3) PBM adjusted claims represent network claims plus mail claims,
which are multiplied by 3, as mail claims are typically 90 day claims
and network claims are generally 30 day claims. Adjusted claims
calculated from the table may differ due to rounding.

(4) Specialty and Ancillary Services (SAAS) claims represent the
distribution of pharmaceuticals through Patient Assistance Programs
and the distribution of pharmaceuticals where we have been selected
by the pharmaceutical manufacturer as part of a limited distribution
network. They also represent the distribution of specialty drugs
through our CuraScript subsidiary.

(5) Total adjusted claims includes PBM adjusted claims plus SAAS
claims.

(6) The following is a reconciliation of EBITDA to net income and to
net cash provided by operating activities as the Company believes
they are the most directly comparable measures calculated under
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles:

3 months ended 6 months ended
June 30, June 30,
------------------- -------------------
2007 2006 2007 2006
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income $ 152.7 $ 107.8 $ 286.4 $ 212.5
Income taxes 88.4 64.7 165.3 127.5
Depreciation and
amortization * 26.2 26.1 52.1 51.9
Interest expense, net 23.0 19.7 42.4 35.2
Undistributed loss from
joint venture 0.4 0.3 0.8 0.8
Non-operating charges, net (4.2) -- 18.8 --
--------- --------- --------- ---------
EBITDA 286.5 218.6 565.8 427.9
Current income taxes (87.4) (71.4) (170.9) (132.9)
Interest expense less
amortization (22.5) (19.2) (41.4) (34.2)
Undistributed loss from
joint venture (0.4) (0.3) (0.8) (0.8)
Non-operating charges, net 4.2 -- (18.8) --
Other adjustments to
reconcile net income to
net cash provided by
operating activities (84.7) 25.1 (82.6) (66.2)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by
operating activities $ 95.7 $ 152.8 $ 251.3 $ 193.8
========= ========= ========= =========

EBITDA is earnings before other income (expense), interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization, or operating income plus depreciation
and amortization. EBITDA is presented because it is a widely
accepted indicator of a company's ability to service indebtedness and
is frequently used to evaluate a company's performance. EBITDA,
however, should not be considered as an alternative to net income, as
a measure of operating performance, as an alternative to cash flow,
as a measure of liquidity or as a substitute for any other measure
computed in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States. In addition, our definition and calculation of
EBITDA may not be comparable to that used by other companies.

* Includes depreciation and amortization expense of:
Gross profit 8.8 9.3 17.9 18.4
Selling, general and
administrative 17.4 16.8 34.2 33.5
--------- --------- --------- ---------
26.2 26.1 52.1 51.9
========= ========= ========= =========

(7) Represents debt as of the balance sheet date divided by EBITDA
for the twelve months ended.

(8) Represents EBITDA for the twelve months ended divided by interest
expense for the twelve months ended.

(9) Represents Operating Cash Flow for the twelve months ended
divided by interest expense for the twelve months ended.

(10) Represents debt divided by the total of debt and stockholders
equity.


This news release was distributed by PrimeNewswire, www.primenewswire.com
SOURCE: Express Scripts, Inc.
Express Scripts, Inc.
Edward Stiften, Chief Financial Officer
David Myers, Vice President Investor Relations
[phone]
[e-mail]

[spaceistheplace]

Express Scripts grows earnings 41.7%, beats forecasts

By Russ Britt
Last Update: 4:25 PM ET Jul 25, 2007


LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts Inc. said Wednesday that net income was $152.7 million, or 57 cents a share, compared with $1.07.8 million, or 38 cents a share, for the same period a year ago. Sales for the St. Louis-based company were $4.6 billion vs. last year's $4.42 billion. The company reported a one-time gain in earnings that amounted to 1 cent a share. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had forecast earnings of 54 cents a share on sales of $4.56 billion. Express Scripts shares ended the day down 30 cents to $51.98.

[Larry.Livingston]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 30.851.744 von spaceistheplace am 25.07.07 22:31:49

Was genau macht Express Scripts (so interessant)? Sind sie Zulieferer, betreiben sie selbst Apotheken (habe noch keine gesehen)?

[spaceistheplace]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 30.855.308 von Larry.Livingston am 26.07.07 10:27:21

Larry, die sind Pharmahändler wie bei uns Celesio, aber weitaus besser. Sind super gelaufen, fast zu gut die letzte zeit. ich bin seit einiger Zeit außen vor, beobachte aber das Unternehmen. Bei nem Rückschlag bin ich wieder dabei.
Gewaltiger langfristchart.

Gruss space

[Larry.Livingston]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 30.855.470 von spaceistheplace am 26.07.07 10:35:15

Danke Space, aus dem Profil wurde ich nicht ganz schlau, werde mir heute abend auch mal ausgiebig die HP ansehen. Ich hab durch einen Teilverkauf noch etwas Kohle über. Denke Kyphon, Express Scripts und noch ein paar andere werden dann bald ins Depot wandern...

EPS Entwicklung sieht auch klasse aus. Celesio finde ich nicht weniger interessant durch Doc Morris, aber mir sind US Unternehmen lieber.

[spaceistheplace]

nachbörslich 4% Plus:


4.10.2007 22:30
Express Scripts earnings top expectations, revenue falls a bit shy

NEW YORK (Thomson Financial) - Express Scripts (Nachrichten) Wednesday reported third-quarter earnings of $142.9 million, or 56 cents a share. Excluding non-recurring items, the company's earnings were 60 cents a share. The mean estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial is for a profit of 57 cents a share.

Revenue rose 4% to $4.52 billion, below Wall Street's consensus view of $4.57 billion.

In the same period a year earlier, the company earned $114.7 million, or 42 cents a share, on sales of $4.33 billion.

The St. Louis-based pharmacy benefit management firm said it raised its outlook, and now expects 2007 earnings of $2.28 to $2.32 a share, excluding non-recurring items. Analysts had been expecting 2007 earnings of $2.28 a share.

The company expects cash flow from operations in the upper half of the previous guidance range of $750 million to $850 million.

The stock closed Wednesday at $57.37.

Michelle Rama

[spaceistheplace]

hier noch mal das Wichtigste auf Deutsch:

Express Scripts steigert Gewinn und hebt Prognose an


Maryland Heights (aktiencheck.de AG) - Der US-Gesundheitsdienstleister Express Scripts Inc. (ISIN US3021821000/ WKN 900130) meldete am Mittwoch nach US-Börsenschluss, dass er seinen Gewinn im dritten Quartal um 24 Prozent gesteigert und hob seine Gewinnprognose an.
Der Nettogewinn belief sich auf 142,9 Mio. Dollar bzw. 56 Cents pro Aktie, gegenüber 115 Mio. Dollar bzw. 42 Cents pro Aktie im Vorjahr. Der bereinigte Gewinn lag bei 60 Cents pro Aktie. Analysten waren im Vorfeld nur von einem Ergebnis von 57 Cents je Aktie ausgegangen.

Für das Gesamtjahr hob das Unternehmen seine Prognose an und erwartet nun einen Gewinn von 2,28 bis 2,32 Dollar je Aktie, nachdem man bislang ein Ergebnis zwischen 2,23 und 2,29 Dollar in Aussicht gestellt hatte.

Der Umsatz erhöhte sich von 4,33 Mrd. Dollar auf 4,52 Mrd. Dollar. Analysten waren im Vorfeld von Erlösen in Höhe von 4,57 Mrd. Dollar ausgegangen. Für das laufende Quartal prognostizieren sie ein EPS von 60 Cents bei Erlösen von 4,71 Mrd. Dollar.

Die Aktie von Express Scripts schloss heute an der NASDAQ bei 57,37 Dollar (-1,76 Prozent). Nachbörslich gewinnt der Kurs 4,67 Prozent auf 60,05 Dollar hinzu. (24.10.2007/ac/n/a)

Quelle: Finanzen.net 24.10.2007 22:55:00