Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.(NASDAQ:WBA) shares were higher in pre-market trading, buoyed a higher guidance and forecast-topping results in the second quarter to February 28.
Net income rose to US$1.35bn, or US$1.36 a share during the quarter from US$1.06bn, or 98 cents a share during the corresponding period a year earlier.
Adjusted earnings per share was US$1.73, above the FactSet consensus of US$1.55.
Revenue jumped to US$33.02bn from US$29.45bn the previous year, ahead of the FactSet consensus of US$32.20bn.
Looking ahead, the company raised its 2018 adjusted EPS guidance range to US$5.85 - US$6.05 from US$5.45- US$5.70 previously.
The company expects recent US tax changes to benefit it by over US$350mln in 2018 financial year. It had previously said the expected benefit was over US$200mln.
Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Stefano Pessina said: We expect to continue to grow, in part through the recent acquisition of stores from Rite Aid, and today we are raising our fiscal 2018 guidance."
Walgreens was up 1.6% at US$67.00 per share in pre-market deals.