Companies /Healthcare

Cencora Inc

NYSE: COR Medical Distribution
$321.23
▼ $6.56 (−2.00%) today
Markets closed · 7:48pm ET

Q1 2026 Earnings

Reported Feb 4, 2026, 6:31am ET · SEC source
$4.08
Beat +0.99%
EPS · est. $4.04
$85.9B
Miss −0.28%
Revenue · est. $86.2B
+10.8%
Beating market
COR vs S&P since report
5 quarters
Consecutive EPS beats

Market Reaction

% change · around the report
−9%−6%−3%0Feb 4Feb 5report 6:31am ETearnings−1.3%−0.9%
−9%−6%−3%0Feb 4Feb 5earnings−1.3%−0.9%
COR −0.9%S&P 500 −1.3%
−9%−6%−3%0Feb 4Feb 5report 6:31am ETearnings−2.5%−0.9%
−9%−6%−3%0Feb 4Feb 5earnings−2.5%−0.9%
COR −0.9%NASDAQ −2.5%
0+4%+8%Feb 3Feb 11report 6:31am ETearnings+0.1%+8.8%
0+4%+8%Feb 3Feb 11earnings+0.1%+8.8%
COR +8.8%S&P 500 +0.1%
−4%0+4%+8%Feb 3Feb 11report 6:31am ETearnings−0.7%+8.8%
−4%0+4%+8%Feb 3Feb 11earnings−0.7%+8.8%
COR +8.8%NASDAQ −0.7%
−8.79%
Day of report
+6.72%
Next session
+10.83%
One week
+9.65%
30 days

S&P 500 over the same 30 days: −1.15%.

Did COR Beat Earnings? Q1 2026 Results

Cencora posted a mixed but broadly encouraging fiscal first quarter for 2026, edging past earnings expectations while falling just short on the top line. Adjusted diluted EPS of $4.08 beat the $4.04 consensus by 0.99%, rising 9.4% year-over-year on the strength of its U.S. Healthcare Solutions segment, where the January 2025 acquisition of Retina Consultants of America expanded gross margins and lifted segment operating income 21.0%. Revenue of $85.93 billion grew 5.5% year-over-year but came in 0.28% below the $86.17 billion consensus estimate, held back in part by the loss of a grocery and an oncology distribution account. The quarter's most consequential development may prove forward-looking: Cencora completed its OneOncology acquisition and promptly raised its fiscal 2026 adjusted operating income growth guidance to 11.5%-13.5%, up sharply from a prior range of 8%-10%, while reaffirming full-year adjusted diluted EPS guidance of $17.45 to $17.75. JPMorgan's recent decision to increase its Cencora stake by 21.3% suggests institutional confidence in the company's specialty-focused growth strategy remains intact.

Key Takeaways
  • Overall market growth driven by unit volume growth in specialty products to health systems and physician practices
  • Increased sales of GLP-1 class products labeled for diabetes and/or weight loss
  • January 2025 acquisition of Retina Consultants of America expanding gross profit margins
  • Growth in European distribution business driving International Healthcare Solutions revenue
  • LIFO credit of $77.6 million in the current quarter vs. $7.3 million in prior year quarter
  • $86.8 million litigation settlement credit offsetting operating expenses

“Cencora began fiscal 2026 by delivering strong financial performance and advancing our strategy through the acquisition of OneOncology.”

Cencora CEO, on the earnings call

Forward Guidance & Outlook

Cencora raised its fiscal 2026 adjusted operating income growth guidance to 11.5%–13.5% (from 8%–10% previously), primarily reflecting the completion of the OneOncology acquisition and strong U.S. Healthcare Solutions performance. Full-year adjusted diluted EPS guidance was reaffirmed at $17.45 to $17.75. Revenue is expected to grow 7%–9%, with U.S. Healthcare Solutions revenue growth of 7%–9%, International Healthcare Solutions revenue growth of 7%–9%, and Other revenue growth of 1%–5%. Adjusted operating income growth by segment: U.S. Healthcare Solutions 14%–16%, International Healthcare Solutions 5%–8%, and Other flat. Net interest expense is expected to be $480M–$500M, adjusted effective tax rate approximately 20%, diluted weighted average shares outstanding of 195.5M, adjusted free cash flow of approximately $3.0B, and capital expenditures of approximately $900M.

COR YoY Financials

Q1 2026 vs Q1 2025 · SEC filings Q1 2025 Q1 2026
$0$30.0B$60.0B$90.0B$81.5B$85.9BRevenue$2.3B$3.1BGross Profit$791.8M$760.4MOperating Income$488.6M$559.6MNet Income
$0$30.0B$60.0B$90.0BRevenueGross ProfitOperating IncomeNet Income

COR Revenue by Segment

U.S. Healthcare Solutions$76.2B+5.0%
International Healthcare Solutions$7.6B+9.6%
Other$2.1B+6.3%

Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.