June 12 (Reuters) - Drug distributor Cardinal Health ( CAH )

raised its annual adjusted profit forecast on Thursday,

banking on demand for costly specialty medicines and branded

drugs at its pharmaceuticals unit.

The company expects adjusted profit per share for fiscal

2025 to be between $8.15 and $8.20, compared with previously

forecast range of $8.05 to $8.15.

Analysts on average expect 2025 profit to be $8.13 per

share, according to data compiled by LSEG.

The company also issued preliminary forecast for fiscal 2026

adjusted profit per share at $9.10 to $9.30, while analysts'

estimate $9.12.