Even after a $239 million dollar loss, Walgreen Company (NYSE:WAG), the well-known drug store chain, still remains within the expectation of Wall Street.

The Walgreen Company (NYSE:WAG) has reported today that is has recorded a loss of $866 million in the most recent quarter, ending August 1, 2014.  This translates to approximately a 25 cent loss per share.   Last year, at this time, Walgreens had a gain of more than $650 million.

Originally, the Illinois based company purchased 45% of Alliance Boots, a beauty and healthy retailer in the United Kingdom, and has another 14 months to decide to acquire the remaining percentage of the company.

According to Michael Polzin, a Walgreen Company (NYSE:WAG)  representative, they are choosing to make their decision to finalize the deal early, even in light of this recent financial loss.

Even though, they will be going through with the entire purchase, Walgreen Company (NYSE:WAG) , will not be pursuing a reorganization of the overseas company, Alliance Boots.

Walgreens was founded in 1901 and today Walgreen Company (NYSE:WAG) is one of the largest retail chains in the United States.  The main office is still located in Illinois.

In the first 12 years of establishment, Walgreens had 4 locations in Chicago and by 1915, the doors to the 5^th store was opened.  Four more stores opened in the year 1916.  The probation, in the 1920s, was a very successful time, as alcohol sales was illegal but prescription whiskey that Walgreen stores sold was not outlawed.

By the time the mid-1920s rolled around, the 44 established stores was averaging $1,200,000 in sales annually.  The crash of the stock market in 1929 did not affect the drug store giant as their 397 stores were pulling in approximately $4 million dollars in annual sales.  Within the next 4 years,  Walgreen Company (NYSE:WAG) was operating more than 600 locations in 30 states.

This drug store chain not only provides a full service pharmacy to their clients, but also a photo processing center as well as providing products that are health related.  Walgreens has several stores online that consumers can easily access including: Drugstore.com; www.VisionDirect.com and www.Beauty.com.

Executives representing Walgreen Company (NYSE:WAG) are concerned that there may be a cut in profits due to the fact that generic drugs prices are on the rise and the company reimbursement costs will be unable to keep up with the rapid drug price increase.

Greg Wasson, the current CEO of Walgreens, is also aware that consumers are becoming more cautious and finding the best price, not necessarily the most convenient location, to get their prescription filled.

The S&P 500 (Standard & Poor) index rose 4%, but Walgreen Company (NYSE:WAG) still suffered a 16% loss in this most recent fiscal quarter.

Walgreen Company (NYSE:WAG) has over 8,200 locations nationwide, including: Puerto Rico, District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands..  It opened the market today at 60.39 and at 2:20 pm Eastern Daylight Time, it is 59.36.  The 52 week forecast ranges between 53.75 and 76.39 with a market cap of 57.29 B and a 67% inst. ownership.

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