Express Scripts Results Top Estimates; Outlook Weak

(RTTNews) - Pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts Holding Co (ESRX) on Monday reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $581.8 million or $0.79 per share compared with $501.9 million or $0.63 per share last year.

Excluding items, adjusted earnings for the quarter were $1.39 per share compared with $1.12 per share a year ago.

Revenues for the quarter were higher at $26.3 billion compared with $25.8 billion in the prior year.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters estimated earnings of $1.38 per share on revenues of $25.68 billion for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

For the first quarter, the company expects adjusted earnings of $1.07 to $1.11 per share, while analysts expect $1.16 per share.

For the full year 2015, the company projects adjusted earnings of $5.35 to $5.49 per share, while analysts expect $5.44 per share.