CVS Health expects cash flow to increase by $1.2 billion in 2018 due to U.S. tax reform, the company said in its initial outlook for 2018.
"With the financial flexibility that tax reform provides, the company anticipates making strategic investments in future areas of growth in its business, particularly as CVS Health and Aetna combine to remake the consumer health experience, and will have more to say as plans are finalized," CVS Health said. The pharmacy giant inked a definitive merger agreement to acquire all outstanding shares of Aetna for roughly $69 billion in cash and stock Dec. 3.
CVS Health saw shares rise more than 4 percent Thursday on news of its tax savings.
CVS Health predicts adjusted consolidated operating profit growth of 1 to 4 percent in 2018, reduced by its pharmacy benefits management contract with Anthem beginning in 2020, as well as a divesture of RxCrossroads.