Walgreen Profit Rises 10% on Flu Medication

Walgreen Co., the largest U.S. drugstore chain, said first-quarter profit climbed 10%, bolstered by an early start to the flu season and increased demand for higher-profit goods.

Net income rose to $254.9 million, or 25 cents a share, from $231.6 million, or 22 cents, a year earlier, the Deerfield, Ill.-based retailer said. Sales rose 17% to $8.7 billion as Walgreen opened 85 stores.

Shares of Walgreen fell 46 cents to $35.25 on the NYSE.