Walgreens stock received a boost after J.P. Morgan expressed confidence in new CEO Tim Wentworth's ability to reduce overhangs and improve the pharmacy chain's performance. The analysts believe that Wentworth's expertise in healthcare services will benefit the company and its relationships across the healthcare industry. J.P. Morgan upgraded its stock price target from $27 to $30.
Incoming Walgreens CEO Tim Wentworth praised the company's pharmacy staff during an earnings call but made no mention of the recent walkouts held by employees protesting poor working conditions. The walkouts reflect growing dissatisfaction among pharmacy employees who have long complained about understaffing and burdensome work expectations. Wentworth will face multiple challenges as he takes on the CEO role, including addressing labor pressure, falling demand for Covid products, and the company's transition to a larger healthcare entity. While Wentworth shared a positive experience with an employee, it remains unclear if management has made any changes in response to employee demands for more staff and improved working conditions.
Walgreens Boots Alliance reported its fiscal year 2023 earnings, with a loss per share of $3.57 compared to earnings per share of $5.01 in the previous year. The company's fourth-quarter sales increased 9.2% year-over-year to $35.4 billion. Walgreens Boots Alliance appointed Tim Wentworth as its new CEO and announced planned cost reductions of at least $1 billion. The company expects to see the impact of these actions in fiscal 2024.
Tim Wentworth, a graduate of Monroe Community College, will become the new CEO of Walgreens starting on October 23. Wentworth, who previously served as CEO of Express Scripts and chief of health services for Cigna, retired in December 2021. His appointment comes at a challenging time for pharmacies, with falling demand for COVID vaccines and over-the-counter tests, as well as pharmacist walkouts in protest of understaffing.
Walgreens, the pharmacy giant, has announced Tim Wentworth as its new CEO. Wentworth will be responsible for leading the company and overseeing its operations in the highly competitive pharmacy industry.
Walgreens Boots Alliance is reportedly considering Tim Wentworth, a former executive at Cigna Group, to be its next CEO. However, a final decision has not been made, and Wentworth may not ultimately take on the role.