BUZZ-Walgreens set for its best day since 1980 after Q1 profit beats estimates

Updates

Shares of pharmacy chain operator Walgreens Boots Alliance WBA.O rise 24.4% to $11.45, on track for the largest one-day gain since at least 1980

Company beats lowered first-quarter adj. profit estimates as it benefited from CEO Tim Wentworth's efforts to turn around its business

WBA reports adj. profit of 51 cents per share for the quarter ended November 30, beating estimates of 37 cents, according to data compiled by LSEG

Company maintains 2025 adj. profit forecast of $1.40 to $1.80 per share

It reports Q1 sales of $30.9 bln in its U.S. retail pharmacy unit, beating estimates of $29.10 bln

Shares of the company were down 18.1% in the past six months and the stock was the worst performer on the S&P 500 index in 2024

WBA fell 64.2% in 2024

(Reporting by Sneha S K)

((Sneha.SK@thomsonreuters.com;))