Ownership and Management of CVS and Walgreens in 2021

Nobody directly owns CVS and Walgreens as individual entities, but rather they are owned by a multitude of stockholders who hold shares in publicly traded companies. This article provides detailed insights into the ownership structures of both pharmacies as of 2021.

CVS Health

CVS, now known as CVS Health, is an independent company since 1996 when it was separated from The Melville Corporation. As a result of this separation, CVS has its own market dynamics and corporate governance. Each year, CVS Health files its annual and quarterly reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for public access. These reports provide a detailed look into the company's financials, management, and operations.

Walgreens Boots Alliance

In contrast to CVS, Walgreens merged with the British pharmacy chain Boots and wholsaler Alliance in a significant move that made it the largest pharmacy company in the world. This merger was transformative, as the only Walgreens employee who retained their original job was the head of IT. The remaining roles, including the CEO, transitioned to staff from Alliance-Boots. Despite this merger, Walgreens is now part of Walgreens Boots Alliance, a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol WBA.

Stock Ownership and Public Companies

Both CVS and Walgreens operate as publicly traded entities. Their shares are owned by millions of individuals, either directly or through mutual funds or retirement plans. The companies are thus managed with the responsibility to serve the ultimate interests of their shareholders.

It is worth noting that while the stocks of these companies are publicly traded, identifying exact individual stockholders can be challenging due to complex ownership structures. Shares often trade daily, and an accurate list of shareholders one day may be outdated by the next. Additionally, certain shares may be owned by brokers on behalf of undisclosed owners or held in voting trusts, keeping the actual owners private.

Researching Shareholders

For individuals interested in researching stock ownership, the SEC's website (sec.gov) is a valuable resource for accessing annual and quarterly reports. While this information is publicly available, it is important to recognize that the stock market is fluid, and the details provided may not reflect the current shareholding distribution due to the daily nature of trading.

Conclusion

Both CVS and Walgreens operate as publicly traded companies, meaning that their stock is available for purchase by anyone. Each company has its own leadership structure, including a CEO, CFO, COO, and a board of directors, all of whom are accountable to the shareholders. To stay informed about the current ownership structures of these companies, one can consult public filings and market data available through financial platforms and the SEC's website.