Cencora's CFO Cleary to retire

March 17 (Reuters) - Drug distributor Cencora COR.N said on Tuesday that Chief Financial Officer James Cleary will retire on June 30, adding that it was considering internal and external candidates to succeed him.

• Cleary will assist in the search process and serve as an adviser through the end of 2026 to ensure a smooth transition, the company said.

• He has served as Cencora's CFO since November 2018, three years after he joined the company following its acquisition of MWI Veterinary Supply.

• Cencora said in February that it would sell the subsidiary, MWI Animal Health, to privately held Covetrus in a deal valuing the unit at $3.5 billion, as it sharpens its focus on drug distribution.

• The company is also planning to divest non-core businesses and doubling down on its core operations to drive long-term performance.

• "His retirement comes as a surprise to us, but with Cleary staying in an advisory capacity through the end of 2026, we think he will be able to work with his successor ahead of providing FY27 guidance in the fall," J.P. Morgan analyst Lisa Gill said.

• Cencora on Tuesday reaffirmed its 2026 adjusted profit forecast range of $17.45 to $17.75 per share.