Before the opening bell on Wednesday, Rite Aid (RAD) released its fourth quarter financial results. Here’s what the results mean for mutual fund investors.
Inside RAD’s Results
Earnings
The company reported earnings of $1.835 billion, or $1.79 per share, up from $55.4 million, or 6 cents per share, last year. Analysts expected to see EPS of 7 cents.
Revenue
Revenue increased to $6.85 billion from $6.60 billion last year. Analysts expected to see revenue of $6.80 billion.
Outlook
Looking ahead, RAD expects to see FY2016 EPS between 19 cents and 27 cents.
Expanding Health & Wellness Business
Rite Aid struggled in 2014, but has made a recovery in 2015. So far this year, the stock is up about 19%.
Like other drug companies, Rite Aid is expanding its pharmacy and wellness business to boost sales. During the quarter, prescription sales grew 3.5%; this business segment accounted for 68.1% of total sales.
Mutual Funds to Watch
Investors interested in RAD may also consider the following mutual funds as an alternative to investing directly in the stock. The funds below currently hold the largest stakes in the company.
| Symbol | Mutual Fund | Stake |
|---|---|---|
| RPMGX | T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth | 2.80% |
| PRHSX | T. Rowe Price Health Sciences | 2.31% |
| NAESX | Vanguard Small Cap Index | 1.81% |
The Bottom Line
The funds listed above offer investors a stake in RAD, while remaining diversified. Investors may also be interested in CVS Health (CVS).
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