Cencora Reports Strong Q1 Earnings and Raises Guidance
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 29 2026
0mins
Should l Buy COR?
Source: Benzinga
Cencora Inc. shares surged by 9.20% as the stock crossed above its 5-day SMA, reflecting positive investor sentiment following the company's strong earnings report.
Cencora reported a 5.5% revenue growth for Q1 2026, reaching $85.9 billion, driven by a 5.0% increase in the U.S. Healthcare Solutions segment and a 9.6% rise in the International Healthcare Solutions segment. The company also raised its adjusted operating income growth guidance for fiscal 2026 from 8%-10% to 11.5%-13.5%, bolstered by the completion of the OneOncology acquisition, which is expected to enhance its market position in oncology care.
The strong earnings report and raised guidance indicate Cencora's robust performance and strategic growth initiatives, positioning the company favorably in the healthcare solutions sector despite broader market weakness.
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Analyst Views on COR
Wall Street analysts forecast COR stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for COR is 394.00 USD with a low forecast of 360.00 USD and a high forecast of 417.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
10 Analyst Rating
9 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 352.160
Low
360.00
Averages
394.00
High
417.00
Current: 352.160
Low
360.00
Averages
394.00
High
417.00
About COR
Cencora, Inc. is a global pharmaceutical sourcing and distribution services company. The Company helps both healthcare providers and pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturers improve patient access to products and enhance patient care. The Company operates through two segments: U.S. Healthcare Solutions and International Healthcare Solutions. The U.S. Healthcare Solutions segment distributes a comprehensive offering of brand-name, specialty brand-name and generic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter healthcare products, home healthcare supplies and equipment, and related services to a variety of healthcare providers, including acute care hospitals and health systems, independent and chain retail pharmacies, long-term care and alternate site pharmacies, and other customers. The International Healthcare Solutions segment consists of businesses that focus on international pharmaceutical wholesale and related service operations and global commercialization services.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Acquisition Completed: Cencora has finalized its acquisition of a controlling stake in OneOncology, with CEO Robert Mauch emphasizing that this move will elevate the fiscal 2026 adjusted operating income growth forecast to 11.5%-13.5%, showcasing the company's ongoing strength in the healthcare solutions sector.
- Financial Highlights: In Q1, Cencora reported an adjusted diluted EPS of $4.08, a 9% increase, while consolidated revenue reached $85.9 billion, up 5.5%, driven by solid growth in both U.S. Healthcare Solutions and Other segments, further solidifying the company's market position.
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- Risks and Challenges: Despite facing challenges from the loss of a major oncology customer, management expects this issue to ease in Q4, while the International Healthcare Solutions segment is experiencing revenue pressure due to manufacturer price adjustments; however, the company maintains its full-year guidance, demonstrating strong resilience.
See More
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- Labor Market Signals: The January ADP employment change rose by 22,000, below the expected 45,000, indicating weakness in the labor market that could influence future monetary policy decisions.
- Government Funding Plan: The funding package signed by President Trump extends funding for the Department of Homeland Security through February 13, while other departments are funded until September 30, alleviating concerns over a government shutdown and boosting investor confidence.
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- Mortgage Applications Decline: MBA mortgage applications fell by 8.9% for the week ending January 30, with the purchase mortgage sub-index down 14.4%, indicating weakened housing demand that may negatively impact the real estate market.
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- Profitability Improvement: The adjusted earnings per share stood at $4.08, surpassing the consensus of $4.03, demonstrating significant progress in cost control and operational efficiency.
- Gross Profit Growth: Gross profit reached $3.1 billion, a 20.1% increase, primarily driven by higher gross profits across reportable segments and an increase in LIFO credits, reflecting ongoing improvements in profitability.
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