Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA) has announced the sale of shares of AmerisourceBergen Corporation (NYSE: ABC) common stock through a series of variable prepaid forward transactions, yielding current proceeds of roughly $644 million. Concurrently, AmerisourceBergen has agreed to a share repurchase for an additional $50 million upon the closing of the Rule 144 transaction.
Walgreens Boots Alliance has seen a slight dip in ownership of AmerisourceBergen’s common stock, after the latter’s share repurchase, but the stake still stands at a significant 17%.
Walgreens Boots Alliance has taken an innovative approach to maintain voting and dividend rights in its AmerisourceBergen common stock through the entry into variable prepaid forward transactions. This gives the company current liquidity while allowing it to participate in potential stock price appreciation.
Upon settlement in the fourth quarter of 2025, Walgreens Boots Alliance will deliver 4,590,000 shares of AmerisourceBergen common stock to the counterparties and could receive additional proceeds of up to $204 million depending on the stock price at the time.
Walgreens Boots Alliance is set to benefit from a significant influx of proceeds, which will be put towards debt paydown and other general corporate purposes. This influx of capital will provide a welcome boost to the company’s finances, allowing it to continue to support its mission of providing quality healthcare and retail services.
The sale of Walgreens Boots Alliance’s stake in AmerisourceBergen may have changed the landscape, but it is not diminishing their strong and trusted partnership. Indeed, Walgreens Boots Alliance’s Ornella Barra will continue to serve on AmerisourceBergen’s Board of Directors, a testament to the enduring nature of the relationship between the two companies. This strategic, mutually beneficial connection has been in place since 2013, and Walgreens Boots Alliance remains committed to it long-term.
About Walgreens Boots Alliance
Walgreens Boots Alliance is a global leader in healthcare, pharmacy and retail, with a rich 170-year history of delivering quality service to customers and patients worldwide. As a trusted partner in both healthcare and retail, Walgreens Boots Alliance is dedicated to providing top-notch customer service and care for the communities it serves.
WBA is revolutionizing the healthcare industry, providing accessible and convenient health services and products to people around the world. With over 13,000 locations in the US, Europe and Latin America, this global retail pharmacy is striving to improve global health and well-being.
WBA is committed to creating joyful lives through better health, offering a wide range of medicines and health and beauty products, and providing anytime, anywhere convenience through its digital platforms. WBA is transforming healthcare, one life at a time.
Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) is a global leader in consumer health and wellness, with over 325,000 employees across nine countries. Their portfolio includes familiar brands such as Walgreens, Boots, Duane Reade, No7 Beauty Company, Benavides in Mexico, and Ahumada in Chile. Additionally, WBA has extended its reach into healthcare with investments in several countries, including China and the United States.
WBA has made great strides in creating a healthier world for everyone through its commitment to sustainability. As a testament to its dedication, the company has been named as an index component of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) and to the 100 Best Corporate Citizens for 2022. WBA is proud of its contributions to promoting healthy communities, a healthy planet, an inclusive workplace and a sustainable marketplace.