Cencora (NYSE:COR) reported third-quarter results that exceeded Wall Street expectations, prompting the pharmaceutical services company to raise its full-year earnings guidance. The stronger performance helped lift the shares more than 3% in pre-market trading.
For the quarter ended 30 June, the company posted adjusted earnings of $4.48 per share, beating the analyst consensus estimate of $4.35. Revenue increased 5.1% year over year to $84.8 billion, ahead of the expected $84.36 billion.
Pharmaceutical demand continues to support growth
President and Chief Executive Officer Robert P. Mauch said the company’s latest results reflected the strength of its pharmaceutical-focused business model.
“Our third quarter results reflect the power of our pharmaceutical-centric strategy and the continued execution of our team members,” Mauch said. “Our strong performance and confidence in our outlook enabled us to raise our fiscal 2026 guidance, underscoring the value we deliver for our stakeholders.”
Revenue growth was driven by broad-based demand across both of the company’s operating divisions.
Healthcare solutions businesses deliver solid performance
The U.S. Healthcare Solutions segment recorded revenue growth of 4.9% compared with the prior year.
Meanwhile, International Healthcare Solutions delivered an even stronger performance, with revenue increasing 5.9%.
Cencora said overall market growth continued to benefit from higher prescription volumes, including increased demand for specialty medicines and GLP-1 therapies used to treat diabetes and obesity.
Earnings outlook moves higher
Following the stronger quarter, Cencora increased its fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings per share guidance to a range of $17.75 to $17.95.
The midpoint of the revised forecast, $17.85 per share, is slightly above the Wall Street consensus estimate of $17.78.
Share buyback completed ahead of schedule
During the quarter, Cencora repurchased $1 billion of its own shares, completing the amount it had originally planned to buy back by the end of calendar 2026.
The company’s board of directors also approved a quarterly dividend of $0.60 per share, which will be paid on 31 August.
Cencora stock price
