Nov 1 (Reuters) - Cardinal Health raised its 2025 adjusted profit forecast on Friday as strong demand for costly specialty medicines and branded drugs drove sales at its pharmaceuticals unit, sending the shares of the company up nearly 4% in premarket trading.
Drug distributors have been trying to diversify their operations and gain better footing in the specialty medicines market, focusing on treatments for complex conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and cancer, which have seen a growing demand in the United States.
The company struck a $1.12 billion deal in September to buy community cancer center operator Integrated Oncology Network to join its rivals McKesson and Cencora in expanding into cancer care.
"The strength and resiliency of our largest and most significant business continues to shine, giving us confidence to raise our fiscal 2025 enterprise guidance only a quarter into the year," CEO Jason Hollar said in a statement.
The company now expects 2025 adjusted earnings per share of $7.75 to $7.90, compared with its previous forecast of $7.55 to $7.70. Analysts were expecting an annual profit of $7.63 per share, according to data compiled by LSEG.
Cardinal Health expects 4% to 6% profit growth for the pharmaceutical and specialty solutions unit, compared with 1% to 3% growth forecast previously.
The company derives a substantial portion of its revenue from the unit, which brought in sales of $48 billion in the first quarter ended Sept. 30. The unit distributes branded and generic drugs, specialty medicines, and over-the-counter products.
"Cardinal Health started off fiscal year 2025 with a strong quarter, surpassing a fairly high bar heading into the print," Leerink Partners analyst Michael Cherny wrote in a note.
Total revenue in the quarter came in at $52.3 billion, beating analysts' average estimates of $50.9 billion.
On an adjusted basis, Cardinal Health reported a profit of $1.88 per share, beating expectations of $1.62 apiece.
(Reporting by Mariam Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore)
((Mariam.ESunny@thomsonreuters.com;))
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