After spending more than a year at nothing better than four-star rank, CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS) has impressed enough top-performing members of our 160,000-strong Motley Fool CAPS community to recently climb up to five stars. A total of 1,616 members have given their opinion on the pharmacy services provider, with many offering analysis and commentary to explain their recent optimism.
Some CAPS members believe the momentum behind CVS' business has been building lately, and they expect solid financial results to follow. The company reported solid fourth-quarter earnings growth, boosted by rising revenue, thanks in part to an increase in retail and pharmacy same-store sales. Its recent sales trends have put up a strong showing against competitors such as Walgreen (NYSE: WAG) and Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD), and investors expect the company to ramp up its efforts to take rivals' market share.
In the current environment, consumers have been searching out value when shopping for goods, showing a preference for lower-cost retailers and generic discount brands. While Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE: WMT) took the top spot in this year's Interbrand list of most valuable retail brands, CVS scored a top-10 spot alongside Walgreen. Many CAPS members think the strength of CVS's brand, and its perception of value among shoppers, will play a key role in the company's future growth. With a long track record of growth and an expected increasing demand for drugs, investors like the company's long-term outlook.
CVS has also eased some of concerns investors raised last year regarding its pharmacy benefits management business, which competes with others like Merck (NYSE: MRK) spinoff Medco Health Solutions (NYSE: MHS) and Express Scripts (Nasdaq: ESRX). Caremark's revenue in the pharmacy benefits division grew 15% in the fourth quarter and had no new contract losses. The segment's new president remains optimistic going into the new contract selling season. With management giving strong bullish indications about the business segment's prospects, many investors have begun to consider CVS's move into the PBM business a good value play.
Do you think CVS Caremark deserves its five-star status? Add your thoughts in the comments box below on this page, or head over to CAPS to rate the company and check out all the information and opinions the community offers, absolutely free.
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Fool contributor Dave Mock recently upgraded his bath routing with extra bubbly bath soaps. He owns no shares of companies mentioned here. Wal-Mart is an Inside Value selection. MedcoHealth Solutions is a Stock Advisor recommendation. The Fool's disclosure policy remarkably removes tough stains from clothing and can even get chewing gum out of your hair.
