McKesson (NYSE:MCK) distributes drugs, equipment and health and beauty care products throughout North America and portions of Europe. The company also delivers software solutions and outsourced services to hospitals, pharmacies and other healthcare organizations. Shares of McKesson declined in October as the company experienced unexpected competitive losses from its core independent pharmacy customer base. The source (price competition) and magnitude of these developments led to a downward revision in McKesson’s earnings power and undermined one of the pillars of our investment thesis – that drug wholesalers operate within a competitive, but otherwise rational, oligopoly. Our estimate of McKesson’s business value declined, and we elected to close our small position at a modest loss.
From Weitz Investment Management's Value Fund fourth quarter 2016 commentary.
