CVS Caremark Q3 profit climbs 7.3%

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS Caremark Corp.’s third-quarter profit rose 7.3%, to $868 million, driven by strong performances in its pharmacy businesses. Its performance topped Wall Street expectations. Revenue for the three-month period ended September 30, 2011, rose 12% to $26.67 billion, from $23.71 billion. Revenue in its pharmacy-services segment increased 26% $14.8 billion, boosted by a contract with Aetna Inc. and added business from the acquisition of Universal American Corp.'s Medicare prescription drug business. Revenues in the retail pharmacy segment increased 3.8% to $14.7 billion; same-store sales rose 2.3%. “Our retail drugstore business continues to grow and gain share