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Abbott Laboratories

Abbott Reports First-Quarter 2026 Results; Updates Guidance to Reflect Acquisition of Exact Sciences

  • First-quarter GAAP diluted EPS of $0.61; adjusted diluted EPS of $1.15 reflects growth of 6 percent
  • Completed acquisition of Exact Sciences, establishing Abbott as a leader in the fast-growing oncology diagnostics market
  • Abbott projects full-year 2026 comparable sales growth of 6.5% to 7.5%1
  • Abbott projects full-year 2026 adjusted diluted EPS of $5.38 to $5.58, which includes $0.20 of dilution related to the acquisition of Exact Sciences

ABBOTT PARK, Ill., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott today (NYSE: ABT) announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026.

  • First-quarter sales increased 7.8 percent on a reported basis and 3.7 percent on a comparable basis.
  • First-quarter GAAP diluted EPS of $0.61 and adjusted diluted EPS of $1.15, which excludes specified items and reflects growth of 6 percent.
  • On March 23, 2026, Abbott completed its acquisition of Exact Sciences, establishing the company as a leader in the oncology diagnostics market and adding a new high-growth vertical to Abbott's portfolio.
  • Abbott projects full-year 2026 comparable sales growth of 6.5% to 7.5%1.
  • Abbott projects full-year 2026 adjusted diluted EPS of $5.38 to $5.58, which includes $0.20 of dilution related to the acquisition of Exact Sciences.
  • In January, Abbott announced a collaboration with AtaCor Medical to develop a next-generation extravascular implantable cardioverter (EV-ICD) system designed to deliver defibrillation therapy to people living with life-threatening heart rhythms.
  • In February, Abbott announced positive early results from the VERITAS study that show clinically meaningful closure rates of the investigational Amulet 360™ Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Occluder, a next-generation device designed to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib).
  • In March, Abbott announced results from the FreeDM2 randomized controlled trial, demonstrating that people with Type 2 diabetes on basal insulin who used FreeStyle Libre® achieved a 0.6% reduction in HbA1c and spent 2.5 more hours per day in the healthy glucose range compared to fingerstick monitoring.

"Our first-quarter results were aligned with our expectations to start the year," said Robert B. Ford, chairman and chief executive officer, Abbott. "The acquisition of Exact Sciences adds another high-growth business to the Abbott portfolio, further strengthening our confidence in delivering accelerating growth as we move through the year."

FIRST-QUARTER BUSINESS OVERVIEW

Comparable sales growth:
 Management believes that measuring sales growth on a comparable basis is an appropriate way for investors to best understand the underlying performance of the business. Comparable sales growth includes the prior and current year sales of Exact Sciences, a cancer diagnostics company that Abbott acquired on March 23, 2026. Comparable sales growth excludes the impact of foreign exchange and revenue in both the prior and current year related to compensation payments that Abbott's Structural Heart business received as part of a multi-year agreement with a competitor. The final payment under this agreement was recognized in the first quarter of 2026.

Note: In order to compute results excluding the impact of exchange rates, current year U.S. dollar sales are multiplied or divided, as appropriate, by the current year average foreign exchange rates and then those amounts are multiplied or divided, as appropriate, by the prior year average foreign exchange rates.

First Quarter 2026 Results (1Q26)


Sales 1Q26 ($ in millions)

Total Company


Nutrition


Diagnostics


Established
Pharmaceuticals


Medical Devices

U.S.

4,274


844


905


—


2,523

International

6,890


1,173


1,275


1,426


3,016

Total reported

11,164


2,017


2,180


1,426


5,539











% Change vs. 1Q25










U.S.

2.5


(11.6)


3.8


n/a


7.9

International

11.3


(1.5)


7.8


13.2


18.0

Total reported

7.8


(6.0)


6.1


13.2


13.2

Total reported excl. foreign exchange impact

3.8


(7.7)


2.5


9.0


8.1

Comparable sales growth

3.7


(7.7)


1.8


9.0


8.5











    U.S.

2.5


(11.6)


2.0


n/a


8.7

    International

4.6


(4.7)


1.6


9.0


8.3

Refer to table titled "Non-GAAP Revenue Reconciliation" for a reconciliation of comparable sales growth. 

 

Nutrition


First Quarter 2026 Results (1Q26)


Sales 1Q26 ($ in millions)

Total


Pediatric


Adult

U.S.

844


511


333

International

1,173


442


731

Total reported

2,017


953


1,064







% Change vs. 1Q25






U.S.

(11.6)


(13.0)


(9.2)

International

(1.5)


(2.6)


(0.9)

Total reported

(6.0)


(8.5)


(3.6)

Total reported excl. foreign exchange impact

(7.7)


(9.7)


(5.9)

Comparable sales growth

(7.7)


(9.7)


(5.9)







    U.S.

(11.6)


(13.0)


(9.2)

    International

(4.7)


(5.3)


(4.3)

Worldwide Nutrition sales decreased 6.0 percent on a reported basis and 7.7 percent on a comparable basis in the first quarter.

Results in the quarter reflect the impact of lower sales volumes compared to the prior year and the effect of strategic pricing actions implemented in the fourth quarter of 2025. These pricing actions, together with the launch of several new products, are expected to contribute to improved volume growth over the course of the year. 

Diagnostics*


First Quarter 2026 Results (1Q26)


Sales 1Q26 ($ in millions)

Total


Core Laboratory


Cancer Diagnostics


Rapid/Molecular
Diagnostics

U.S.

905


347


93


465

International

1,275


925


3


347

Total reported

2,180


1,272


96


812









% Change vs. 1Q25








U.S.

3.8


4.5


n/a


(13.8)

International

7.8


9.5


n/a


2.8

Total reported

6.1


8.1


n/a


(7.4)

Total reported excl. foreign exchange impact

2.5


3.3


n/a


(9.6)

Comparable sales growth

1.8


3.3


13.4


(9.6)









    U.S.

2.0


4.5


13.2


(13.8)

    International

1.6


2.8


19.2


(2.7)


*Beginning in 2026, Abbott aggregated its previously reported Rapid Diagnostics, Molecular Diagnostics, and Point of Care businesses into the Rapid and Molecular Diagnostics business. On March 23, 2026, Abbott completed the acquisition of Exact Sciences. Following the acquisition, the sales of Exact Sciences are presented as Abbott's Cancer Diagnostics business.


Refer to table titled "Non-GAAP Revenue Reconciliation" for a reconciliation of comparable sales growth.

Worldwide Diagnostics sales increased 6.1 percent on a reported basis and increased 1.8 percent on a comparable basis.

Worldwide Core Laboratory Diagnostics results were driven by growth in the U.S., Europe and Latin America. Sales of Core Laboratory diagnostic tests increased on both a year-over-year and sequential basis.

Rapid and Molecular Diagnostics results reflect lower demand for respiratory virus tests due to a weaker respiratory virus season compared to the prior year.

Results in Cancer Diagnostics reflect Abbott's acquisition of Exact Sciences, which closed on March 23, 2026. Growth in Cancer Diagnostics was driven by double-digit growth of Cologuard® and sales of Cancerguard®, a multi-cancer screening test that launched last year. 

Established Pharmaceuticals


First Quarter 2026 Results (1Q26)


Sales 1Q26 ($ in millions)

Total


Key Emerging
Markets


Other

U.S.

—


—


—

International

1,426


1,089


337

Total reported

1,426


1,089


337







% Change vs. 1Q25






U.S.

n/a


n/a


n/a

International

13.2


12.9


14.1

Total reported

13.2


12.9


14.1

Total reported excl. foreign exchange impact

9.0


9.4


7.9

Comparable sales growth

9.0


9.4


7.9







    U.S.

n/a


n/a


n/a

    International

9.0


9.4


7.9

Established Pharmaceuticals sales increased 13.2 percent on a reported basis and 9.0 percent on a comparable basis in the first quarter.

Key Emerging Markets include several emerging countries that represent the most attractive long-term growth opportunities for Abbott's branded generics product portfolio. Sales in these geographies increased 12.9 percent on a reported basis and 9.4 percent on a comparable basis, led by double-digit growth in several countries across the Latin America and Asia Pacific regions. 

Medical Devices


First Quarter 2026 Results (1Q26)


Sales 1Q26 ($ in millions)

Total


Rhythm
Management


Electro-

physiology*


Heart
Failure


Vascular


Structural
Heart*


Neuro-
modulation


Diabetes
Care

U.S.

2,523


339


378


292


291


224


177


822

International

3,016


345


410


97


486


354


66


1,258

Total reported

5,539


684


788


389


777


578


243


2,080

















% Change vs. 1Q25
















U.S.

7.9


11.5


13.7


11.4


8.6


(9.5)


0.7


9.8

International

18.0


22.9


19.6


25.2


10.0


25.2


27.2


16.6

Total reported

13.2


17.0


16.7


14.6


9.5


9.0


6.8


13.8

Total reported excl. foreign exchange impact

8.1


12.5


12.5


12.2


4.9


3.6


4.1


7.4

Comparable sales growth

8.5


12.5


12.5


12.2


4.9


6.8


4.1


7.4

















    U.S.

8.7


11.5


13.7


11.4


8.6


(3.6)


0.7


9.8

    International

8.3


13.5


11.2


14.9


2.7


15.0


15.5


5.7


*Abbott's Amplatzer Amulet Left Atrial Appendage Occluder device and related accessories were transferred from Structural Heart to Electrophysiology on Jan. 1, 2026. As a result, $46 million of sales in the first quarter of 2025 were moved from Structural Heart to Electrophysiology.


Refer to table titled "Non-GAAP Revenue Reconciliation" for a reconciliation of comparable sales growth.

Worldwide Medical Devices sales increased 13.2 percent on a reported basis and 8.5 percent on a comparable basis in the first quarter.

Sales growth in the quarter was led by double-digit growth in Electrophysiology, Heart Failure and Rhythm Management.

In Diabetes Care, sales of continuous glucose monitors grew 14.2 percent on a reported basis and 7.6 percent on a comparable basis.

Abbott's Financial Guidance
 Abbott projects full-year 2026 comparable sales growth of 6.5% to 7.5%.

Abbott projects full-year 2026 adjusted diluted earnings per share of $5.38 to $5.58, which includes $0.20 of dilution related to the acquisition of Exact Sciences.

Abbott projects second-quarter 2026 adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.25 to $1.31.

Abbott has not provided the related GAAP financial measures on a forward-looking basis for these forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures because the company is unable to predict with reasonable certainty and without unreasonable effort the timing and impact of certain items such as restructuring and cost reduction initiatives, charges for intangible asset impairments, acquisition-related expenses, and foreign exchange, which could significantly impact Abbott's results in accordance with GAAP.

Abbott Declares 409 th Consecutive Quarterly Dividend
On Feb. 20, 2026, the board of directors of Abbott declared the company's quarterly dividend of $0.63 per share. Abbott's cash dividend is payable May 15, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 15, 2026.

Abbott has increased its dividend payout for 54 consecutive years and is a member of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index, which tracks companies that have annually increased their dividend for at least 25 consecutive years.

About Abbott:
 Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Abbott will live-webcast its first-quarter earnings conference call through its Investor Relations website at www.abbottinvestor.com at 8 a.m. Central time today. An archived edition of the webcast will be available later in the day.

— Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 —
 A Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Some statements in this news release may be forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Abbott cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect Abbott's operations are discussed in Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2025, and are incorporated herein by reference. Abbott undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law.

  1. In 2025, total worldwide sales were $44.328 billion, which included U.S. sales of $17.126 billion and international sales of $27.202 billion, and Abbott's Structural Heart business received $89 million of compensation payments as part of a multi-year agreement with a competitor. Also in 2025, total worldwide sales for Exact Sciences were $3.247 billion, which included U.S. sales of $3.145 billion and international sales of $102 million.

 

Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings

First Quarter Ended March 31, 2026 and 2025

(in millions, except per share data)

(unaudited)




1Q26


1Q25


% Change


Net Sales

$11,164


$10,358


7.8









Cost of products sold, excluding amortization expense

4,890


4,468


9.5


Amortization of intangible assets

422


420


0.3


Research and development

767


716


7.2


Selling, general, and administrative

3,740


3,061


22.2


Total Operating Cost and Expenses

9,819


8,665


13.3









Operating Earnings

1,345


1,693


(20.6)









Interest expense, net

68


49


37.4


Net foreign exchange (gain) loss

(13)


(7)


n/m


Other (income) expense, net

(159)


(127)


24.8


Earnings before taxes

1,449


1,778


(18.5)


Taxes on Earnings

372


453


(18.0)

1)








Net Earnings

$1,077


$1,325


(18.7)









Net Earnings excluding Specified Items, as described below

$2,022


$1,919


5.4

2)








Diluted Earnings per Common Share

$0.61


$0.76


n/m









Diluted Earnings per Common Share, excluding Specified Items, as described below

$1.15


$1.09


5.5

2)








Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding Plus Dilutive Common Stock Options

1,747


1,747





NOTES:

See table titled "Non-GAAP Reconciliation of Financial Information" for an explanation of certain non-GAAP financial information.

n/m = Percent change is not meaningful.

See footnotes on the following section.



1)

2026 Taxes on Earnings includes the recognition of approximately $50 million of net tax benefit as a result of the resolution of various tax positions related to prior years. 2026 Taxes on Earnings also includes approximately $200 million in adjustments related to prior recognition of a significant non-cash deferred tax benefit.




2025 Taxes on Earnings includes approximately $200 million in adjustments related to prior recognition of a significant non-cash deferred tax benefit.



2)

2026 Net Earnings and Diluted Earnings per Common Share, excluding Specified Items, excludes net after-tax charges of $945 million, or $0.54 per share, for intangible amortization, charges related to restructuring, acquisitions, and other net expenses.




2025 Net Earnings and Diluted Earnings per Common Share, excluding Specified Items, excludes net after-tax benefits of $594 million, or $0.33 per share, for intangible amortization, charges related to investment impairments, restructuring and cost reduction initiatives, expenses associated with acquisitions, and other net expenses.

 

Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Non-GAAP Reconciliation of Financial Information

First Quarter Ended March 31, 2026 and 2025

(in millions, except per share data)

(unaudited)



1Q26


As
Reported
(GAAP)


Specified
Items


As Adjusted







Intangible Amortization

$      422


$     (422)


$         —

Gross Margin

5,852


432


6,284

R&D

767


(24)


743

SG&A

3,740


(473)


3,267

Other (income) expense, net

(159)


(7)


(166)

Earnings before taxes

1,449


936


2,385

Taxes on Earnings

372


(9)


363

Net Earnings

1,077


945


2,022

Diluted Earnings per Share

$      0.61


$      0.54


$       1.15

Specified items reflect intangible amortization expense of $422 million and other net expenses of $514 million associated with restructuring actions, acquisitions, and other net expenses. See table titled "Details of Specified Items" for additional details regarding specified items.

1Q25


As
Reported
(GAAP)


Specified
Items


As Adjusted







Intangible Amortization

$      420


$     (420)


$         —

Gross Margin

5,470


448


5,918

R&D

716


(27)


689

SG&A

3,061


(10)


3,051

Other (income) expense, net

(127)


(35)


(162)

Earnings before taxes

1,778


520


2,298

Taxes on Earnings

453


(74)


379

Net Earnings

1,325


594


1,919

Diluted Earnings per Share

$      0.76


$      0.33


$      1.09

Specified items reflect intangible amortization expense of $420 million and other net expenses of $100 million associated with restructuring actions, acquisitions, investment impairments and other net expenses. See table titled "Details of Specified Items" for additional details regarding specified items.

A reconciliation of the first-quarter tax rates for 2026 and 2025 is shown below: 

1Q26


($ in millions)

Pre-Tax

Income


Taxes on

Earnings


Tax

Rate


As reported (GAAP)

$    1,449


$       372


25.6 %

1)

Specified items

936


(9)




Excluding specified items

$    2,385


$      363


15.2 %





1Q25


($ in millions)

Pre-Tax

Income


Taxes on

Earnings


Tax

Rate


As reported (GAAP)

$     1,778


$      453


25.5 %

2)

Specified items

520


(74)




Excluding specified items

$    2,298


$       379


16.5 %




1)

2026 Taxes on Earnings includes the recognition of approximately $50 million of net tax benefit as a result of the resolution of various tax positions related to prior years. 2026 Taxes on Earnings also includes approximately $200 million in adjustments related to prior recognition of a significant non-cash deferred tax benefit.



2)

2025 Taxes on Earnings includes approximately $200 million in adjustments related to prior recognition of a significant non-cash deferred tax benefit.

 

Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Non-GAAP Revenue Reconciliation

First Quarter Ended March 31, 2026 and 2025

($ in millions)

(unaudited)





1Q26


1Q25


% Change vs. 1Q25















Non-GAAP



Abbott
Reported

Impact of
acquisition
(a)

Impact

of multi-
year
agreement
(b)

Foreign
exchange

Comparable
Revenue


Abbott
Reported

Impact of
acquisition
(a)

Impact

of multi-
year
agreement
(b)

Comparable
Revenue


Reported

Comparable


Total Company

11,164

706

(8)

(414)

11,448


10,358

707

(24)

11,041


7.8

3.7


U.S.

4,274

681

(8)

—

4,947


4,168

684

(24)

4,828


2.5

2.5


Intl

6,890

25

—

(414)

6,501


6,190

23

—

6,213


11.3

4.6

















Total Diagnostics

2,180

706

—

(76)

2,810


2,054

707

—

2,761


6.1

1.8


U.S.

905

681

—

—

1,586


871

684

—

1,555


3.8

2.0


Intl

1,275

25

—

(76)

1,224


1,183

23

—

1,206


7.8

1.6

















Total Cancer
Diagnostics

96

706

—

(1)

801


—

707

—

707


n/a

13.4


U.S.

93

681

—

—

774


—

684

—

684


n/a

13.2


Intl

3

25

—

(1)

27


—

23

—

23


n/a

19.2

















Total Medical
Devices

5,539

—

(8)

(249)

5,282


4,895

—

(24)

4,871


13.2

 


8.5


U.S.

2,523

—

(8)

—

2,515


2,339

—

(24)

2,315


7.9

8.7


Intl

3,016

—

—

(249)

2,767


2,556

—

—

2,556


18.0

8.3

















Total Structural
Heart*

578

—

(8)

(29)

541


531

—

(24)

507


9.0

6.8


U.S.

224

—

(8)

—

216


248

—

(24)

224


(9.5)

(3.6)


Intl

354

—

—

(29)

325


283

—

—

283


25.2

15.0

















*

Abbott's Amplatzer Amulet Left Atrial Appendage Occluder device and related accessories were transferred from Structural Heart to Electrophysiology on Jan. 1, 2026. As a result, $46 million of sales in the first quarter of 2025 were moved from Structural Heart to Electrophysiology.



(a)

The adjustment includes historical sales for Exact Sciences prior to the acquisition date. Exact Sciences was acquired by Abbott on March 23, 2026.



(b)

Reflects the impact of compensation payments that Abbott's Structural Heart business received as part of  a multi-year agreement with a competitor. The final payment under this agreement was recognized in the first quarter of 2026.

 

Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Details of Specified Items

First Quarter Ended March 31, 2026 and 2025

(in millions, except per share data)

(unaudited)



Acquisition or
Divestiture-
related (a)


Restructuring
and Cost
Reduction
Initiatives (b)


Intangible
Amortization


Other (c)


Total
Specifieds

Gross Margin

$             2


$               7


$         422


$             1


$         432

R&D

(1)


(10)


—


(13)


(24)

SG&A

(444)


(33)


—


4


(473)

Other (income) expense, net

(2)


(2)


—


(3)


(7)

Earnings before taxes

$         449


$              52


$         422


$            13


936

Taxes on Earnings (d)









(9)

Net Earnings









$         945

Diluted Earnings per Share









$         0.54


The table above provides additional details regarding the specified items described on table titled "Non-GAAP Reconciliation of Financial Information."


a)

Acquisition-related expenses include stock-based compensation recognized as expense from equity awards accelerated in connection with the Exact Sciences acquisition, integration costs that represent incremental costs directly related to integrating acquired businesses, as well as other costs related to business acquisitions.



b)

Restructuring and cost reduction initiative expenses include severance, outplacement and other direct costs associated with specific restructuring plans.



c)

Other includes incremental costs to comply with the European Union's Medical Device Regulations (MDR) and In Vitro Diagnostics Medical Device Regulations (IVDR) requirements for previously approved products.



d)

Reflects the net tax benefit associated with the specified items and recognition of a tax benefit as a result of the resolution of various tax positions related to prior years. Taxes on Earnings includes approximately $200 million in adjustments related to prior recognition of a significant non-cash deferred tax benefit.

 

Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Details of Specified Items

First Quarter Ended March 31, 2025

(in millions, except per share data)

(unaudited)



Acquisition or
Divestiture-
related (a)


Restructuring
and Cost
Reduction
Initiatives (b)


Intangible
Amortization


Other (c)


Total
Specifieds

Gross Margin

$            —


$              26


$         420


$             2


$         448

R&D

(1)


(16)


—


(10)


(27)

SG&A

(3)


(7)


—


—


(10)

Other (income) expense, net

(24)


—


—


(11)


(35)

Earnings before taxes

$           28


$              49


$         420


$           23


520

Taxes on Earnings (d)









(74)

Net Earnings









$         594

Diluted Earnings per Share









$         0.33


The table above provides additional details regarding the specified items described on table titled "Non-GAAP Reconciliation of Financial Information."


a)

Acquisition-related expenses include integration costs, which represent incremental costs directly related to integrating acquired businesses as well as a fair value adjustment to contingent consideration related to a business acquisition.


b)

Restructuring and cost reduction initiative expenses include severance, outplacement and other direct costs associated with specific restructuring plans and cost reduction initiatives.



c)

Other includes incremental costs to comply with the European Union's Medical Device Regulations (MDR) and In Vitro Diagnostics Medical Device Regulations (IVDR) requirements for previously approved products and investment impairment charges.



d)

Reflects the net tax benefit associated with the specified items. 2025 Taxes on Earnings includes approximately $200 million in adjustments related to prior recognition of a significant non-cash deferred tax benefit.

 

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/abbott-reports-first-quarter-2026-results-updates-guidance-to-reflect-acquisition-of-exact-sciences-302744652.html

SOURCE Abbott