McKesson (MCK, Financial) distributes drugs, equipment, and health and beauty products throughout North America and portions of Europe. The company also delivers software solutions and outsourced services to hospitals, pharmacies and other healthcare organizations. Merger-related customer losses (McKesson accounts Omnicare, Target Pharmacy and Rite Aid are moving to competing wholesalers after being acquired), the return of generic drug deflation and concerns of lower future branded drug inflation combined to drive McKesson’s stock down nearly 40% from its high last summer. Having done detailed work on the company roughly nine years prior, we sharpened our pencils again late last year and initiated a position at $150 in January. The drug wholesaling business is an attractive oligopoly characterized by intense but rational competition, stable growth, healthy returns on capital and consistent excess cash generation. While McKesson’s business faces some near-term headwinds, we believe it is an attractive investment over the long term.
From Wallace Weitz (Trades, Portfolio)'s Weitz Value Fund 1st quarter 2016 commentary.
