March 17 (Reuters) - Drug distributor Cencora ( COR )

said on Tuesday that Chief Financial Officer James

Cleary will retire on June 30, adding that it was considering

internal and external candidates to succeed him.

* Cleary will assist in the search process and serve as an

adviser through the end of 2026 to ensure a smooth transition,

the company said.

* He has served as Cencora's ( COR ) CFO since November 2018, three

years after he joined the company following its acquisition of

MWI Veterinary Supply.

* Cencora ( COR ) said in February that it would sell the

subsidiary, MWI Animal Health, to privately held Covetrus in a

deal valuing the unit at $3.5 billion, as it sharpens its focus

on drug distribution.

* The company is also planning to divest non-core businesses

and doubling down on its core operations to drive long-term

performance.

* "His retirement comes as a surprise to us, but with Cleary

staying in an advisory capacity through the end of 2026, we

think he will be able to work with his successor ahead of

providing FY27 guidance in the fall," J.P. Morgan analyst Lisa

Gill said.

* Cencora ( COR ) on Tuesday reaffirmed its 2026 adjusted profit

forecast range of $17.45 to $17.75 per share.