Pharmacy benefits management benefit CVS (CVS)

Posted Aug 20th 2009 10:45AM by Steven Halpern
Filed under: Newsletters, CVS Corp (CVS), Stocks to Buy, Obama Picks

"Regardless of how you analyze the company, CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS) stands out," says Chuck Carlson.

In The DRIP Investor, he explains, "Our Quadrix stock-rating system ranks more than 4,000 stocks based on more than 100 different variables. CVS scores better than 90% of the stocks in the Quadrix universe."

"CVS's Sector score -- that is, a score devised by evaluating the metrics that have the most influence over performance in that particular sector -- is also impressive at 95 out of a possible 100.

"The good news is that investors can buy this stock at what appears to be an attractive valuation at just 11 times the 2010 consensus earnings of $3 per share.

"Although healthcare-related stocks have been affected by uncertainties surrounding health-care reform, CVS stands to be one of the winners should more people obtain insurance coverage. The stock represents a quality buy at current levels.

"CVS operates two segments. Retail drugstores generated 53% of sales in 2008, while pharmacy-benefit management (PBM) accounted for the rest.

"Prescription drugs account for about two-thirds of retail sales, with the balance coming from general merchandise (15%), over-the-counter drugs and personal care (13%), and beauty/cosmetics (4%).

"The PBM unit contracts with employers, insurance companies, and other sponsors of health-benefit plans to administer drug coverage for groups.

"Typically, a PBM will buy drugs in bulk at a discount and pass on some of the savings to patients in its benefit plans. Caremark entered the PBM business via its $26.5 billion acquisition of Caremark in 2007.

"Melding a PBM operation with a drugstore chain provides opportunities for cross-marketing services. CVS should be one of the few companies posting higher per share profits in 2009.

"The consensus estimate for 2009 is $2.60, up from $2.44 per share in 2008. That estimate could prove conservative, as CVS has beaten the consensus earnings estimate in each of the last two quarters.

"CVS trades at a PE ratio that is on the low side relative to its historical range. Profit growth should accelerate in 2010, and long-term growth prospects are excellent. The stock, down sharply from its 2008 high of more than $44 per share, represents one of the better buys in the market.

"DRIP investors take note that CVS offers a direct-purchase plan whereby any investor may buy the first share and every share directly from the company."

Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers a free daily overview of the favorite stock picks and investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

Tags: chuck carlson, cvs, cvs caremark, drip investor, drug stocks, drugstore stocks, health care reform, healthcare stocks, medical stocks, obama stocks, retail stocks, steven halpern, thestockadvisors.com