Express Scripts in Fast Lane

Express Scripts (ESRX Quote) just keeps on getting healthier.

The giant pharmacy benefit manager has been flexing its muscles all year and, just this week, promised even more powerful results to come. The company said late Monday it now expects to deliver a 2006 profit of between $3.10 and $3.22 a share -- even after 10 cents' worth of options expense -- instead of the $2.98 Wall Street had been anticipating. The company pointed to a variety of forces, ranging from rising generic drug use to specialty pharmacy growth, as major profit drivers.

"We have a great opportunity in 2006 to continue to provide value-added, fully integrated pharmacy benefit management services that will help our clients continue to better manage their drug trend," Express Scripts CEO George Paz said when he offered the company's much-awaited update. "Our positive outlook for 2006 reflects the strength of our core business and the success of our business model." ...