## Walgreens Stock: A Comprehensive Analysis
### Key Takeaways
* Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) is a global pharmacy-led health and wellbeing company.
* WBA’s stock is currently trading around $37 per share.
* The company has been facing challenges in recent years, including declining sales and increased competition.
* However, WBA has taken steps to address these challenges and is expected to return to growth in the coming years.
### What is Walgreens?
Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) is a global pharmacy-led health and wellbeing company with a presence in more than 25 countries. The company operates over 13,000 stores, including Walgreens in the United States, Boots in the United Kingdom, and Alliance Healthcare in Europe.
WBA offers a wide range of products and services, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, health and beauty products, and photo finishing. The company also provides a number of healthcare services, such as vaccinations, flu shots, and diabetes management.
### WBA’s Stock Performance
WBA’s stock has been under pressure in recent years, declining from a high of over $90 per share in 2015 to around $37 per share today. The stock’s decline has been driven by a number of factors, including:
* Declining sales: WBA’s sales have been declining in recent years, as consumers have increasingly turned to online retailers for their healthcare needs.
* Increased competition: WBA faces increasing competition from a number of sources, including online retailers, discount stores, and grocery stores.
* Generic drug pricing: The increasing availability of generic drugs has put pressure on WBA’s margins.
### WBA’s Response to Challenges
WBA has taken a number of steps to address the challenges it faces, including:
* Investing in e-commerce: WBA has invested heavily in e-commerce in recent years, acquiring a number of online retailers and launching its own online pharmacy.
* Expanding healthcare services: WBA has expanded its healthcare services offerings in recent years, including offering vaccinations, flu shots, and diabetes management.
* Reducing costs: WBA has implemented a number of cost-cutting measures in recent years, including closing stores and reducing staff.
### WBA’s Outlook
Despite the challenges it faces, WBA is well-positioned to return to growth in the coming years. The company has a strong brand, a loyal customer base, and a wide range of products and services. WBA is also expected to benefit from the growing demand for healthcare services.
### Analysts’ Recommendations
Analysts are generally positive on WBA’s stock. The consensus price target for the stock is $45 per share, which represents a potential upside of over 20%.
### How to Buy WBA Stock
WBA stock can be purchased through a variety of online brokerages. When choosing a broker, it is important to consider factors such as fees, trading platform, and customer service.
### Conclusion
WBA is a solid investment for long-term investors. The company has a strong brand, a loyal customer base, and a wide range of products and services. WBA is also expected to benefit from the growing demand for healthcare services.