CVS Health Corp. (1.6%) (CVS - $79.59 - NYSE) operates one of the largest retail pharmacy chains in the country, and the company is poised to benefit from the expansion of insurance coverage under healthcare reform with no new taxes or regulation. CVS is expanding into the fast growing market for specialty and biotech medicines, particularly through the recently announced $2 billion acquisition of home infusion provider Coram. CVS Health recently stopped selling tobacco in its stores, but the company is performing so strongly this year that it can easily absorb the $2 billion in lost sales. The company can sustain double digit earnings growth, and management continues to return a substantial amount of cash to shareholders via a higher dividend and share repurchases.
From Mario Gabelli (Trades, Portfolio)’s Equity Income Fund Q3 2014 Commentary.
