Abbott Reports Third-Quarter 2026 Results and Reaffirms Full-Year EPS Guidance
ABBOTT LABORATORIES (ABT) filed an SEC Form 8-K — Results of Operations and Financial Condition. Exhibit 99.1 News Release Abbott Reports Third-Quarter 2026 Results and Reaffirms Full-Year EPS Guidance – Third-quarter reported sales growth of 14.5 percent; comparable sales growth of 7.0 percent – Third-quarter GAAP diluted EPS of $0.53; adjusted diluted EPS of $1.42 – Expand
How this was made
The 30-second read
Why it matters
The reaffirmed EPS range signals management confidence but no upside surprise, likely leading to a muted price reaction.
Market read
Results reinforce Abbott's growth trajectory; limited immediate price impact but may influence sector sentiment.
What to watch
New product approvals (Libre® Duo, Amulet 360 LAA occluder) may drive future growth beyond the current guidance.
Abbott Reports Third-Quarter 2026 Results and Reaffirms Full-Year EPS Guidance
Third-quarter reported sales increased 14.5 percent and comparable sales growth was 7.0 percent, while adjusted diluted EPS increased 9.2 percent to $1.42. GAAP operating earnings, net earnings, and diluted EPS declined because of acquisition-related costs, legal settlements, intangible amortization, restructuring actions, and other specified items.
Key metrics
shortened, hover for the filing’s print| Metric | Value | q/q | y/y |
|---|---|---|---|
| Third-quarter net salesGAAP | $13.01B | – | 14.5% |
| Third-quarter U.S. salesother | $5.50B | – | 28.0% |
| Third-quarter international salesother | $7.51B | – | 6.2% |
| Third-quarter comparable sales growthnon-GAAP | 7.0% | – | 7.0% |
| Third-quarter cost of products sold, excluding amortization expenseGAAP | $5.63B | – | 10.9% |
| Third-quarter amortization of intangible assetsGAAP | $841M | – | n/m |
| Third-quarter GAAP gross marginGAAP | $6.54B | – | – |
| Third-quarter adjusted gross marginnon-GAAP | $7.45B | – | – |
| Third-quarter research and developmentGAAP | $920M | – | 20.1% |
| Third-quarter selling, general, and administrativeGAAP | $4.27B | – | 39.8% |
| Third-quarter total operating cost and expensesGAAP | $11.65B | – | 25.2% |
| Third-quarter operating earningsGAAP | $1.36B | – | (34.0%) |
| Third-quarter interest expense, netGAAP | $297M | – | n/m |
| Third-quarter earnings before taxesGAAP | $1.23B | – | (43.5%) |
| Third-quarter taxes on earningsGAAP | $311M | – | (42.0%) |
| Third-quarter GAAP tax rateGAAP | 25.3 % | – | – |
| Third-quarter adjusted tax ratenon-GAAP | 15.2 % | – | – |
| Third-quarter net earningsGAAP | $920M | – | (44.1%) |
| Third-quarter net earnings excluding specified itemsnon-GAAP | $2.48B | – | 8.7% |
| Third-quarter diluted earnings per common shareGAAP | $0.53 | – | (43.6%) |
| Third-quarter diluted earnings per common share, excluding specified itemsnon-GAAP | $1.42 | – | 9.2% |
| Third-quarter average number of common shares outstanding plus dilutive common stock optionsGAAP | 1,738 | – | – |
| First nine months net salesGAAP | $36.77B | – | 11.9% |
| First nine months comparable sales growthnon-GAAP | 5.2% | – | 5.2% |
| First nine months GAAP gross marginGAAP | $19.01B | – | – |
| First nine months adjusted gross marginnon-GAAP | $21.04B | – | – |
| First nine months operating earningsGAAP | $4.40B | – | (24.2%) |
| First nine months net earningsGAAP | $2.92B | – | (38.4%) |
| First nine months net earnings excluding specified itemsnon-GAAP | $6.79B | – | 5.9% |
| First nine months diluted earnings per common shareGAAP | $1.67 | – | (38.1%) |
| First nine months diluted earnings per common share, excluding specified itemsnon-GAAP | $3.88 | – | 6.3% |
| First nine months GAAP tax rateGAAP | 30.4 % | – | – |
| First nine months adjusted tax ratenon-GAAP | 15.2 % | – | – |
Segments
| Segment | Revenue | q/q | y/y |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nutrition, third quarter 2026Worldwide Nutrition results were driven by broad-based growth across the portfolio, including sales growth of nearly 9.0 percent in Worldwide Pediatric. | $2.26B | $118 million | 5.1% reported |
| Pediatric Nutrition, third quarter 2026Worldwide Pediatric sales growth was nearly 9.0 percent. | $1.06B | – | 8.8% reported |
| Adult Nutrition, third quarter 2026Not separately discussed. | $1.20B | – | 2.0% reported |
| Diagnostics, third quarter 2026Comparable sales growth was 6.4 percent. Reported growth reflects the acquisition of Exact Sciences. | $3.31B | – | 46.7% reported |
| Core Laboratory Diagnostics, third quarter 2026Results were driven by balanced growth across major geographic regions including the U.S., Europe, Japan, and Latin America. | $1.44B | – | 5.4% reported |
| Cancer Diagnostics, third quarter 2026Comparable sales growth was 13.8 percent, driven by growth of Cologuard® and contributions from the precision oncology and international businesses. | $968M | – | – |
| Rapid and Molecular Diagnostics, third quarter 2026Comparable sales growth was 0.9 percent. | $899M | – | 1.1% reported |
| Established Pharmaceuticals, third quarter 2026Comparable sales growth was 8.4 percent. | $1.61B | – | 6.8% reported |
| Key Emerging Markets, third quarter 2026Comparable sales growth was 10.9 percent, led by double-digit growth in India and several markets across the Latin America and Asia Pacific regions. | $1.20B | – | 9.0% reported |
| Other Established Pharmaceuticals, third quarter 2026Comparable sales growth was 1.6 percent. | $419M | – | 1.1% reported |
| Medical Devices, third quarter 2026Comparable sales growth was 7.8 percent. Growth was led by double-digit growth in Electrophysiology and Rhythm Management. | $5.83B | – | 6.9% reported |
| Rhythm Management, third quarter 2026Comparable sales growth was 10.0 percent. | $752M | – | 9.7% reported |
| Electrophysiology, third quarter 2026Comparable sales growth was 15.5 percent. | $873M | – | 15.0% reported |
| Heart Failure, third quarter 2026Comparable sales growth was 6.0 percent. | $387M | – | 5.8% reported |
| Vascular, third quarter 2026Comparable sales growth was 5.7 percent. | $786M | – | 5.4% reported |
| Structural Heart, third quarter 2026Comparable sales growth was 6.9 percent. The final compensation payment under a multi-year agreement with a competitor was recognized in the first quarter of 2026. | $592M | – | 1.9% reported |
| Neuromodulation, third quarter 2026Comparable sales growth was (1.1) percent. | $251M | – | (1.2%) reported |
| Diabetes Care, third quarter 2026Comparable sales growth was 6.7 percent. Sales of continuous glucose monitors grew 7.3 percent on a reported basis and 7.7 percent on a comparable basis. | $2.19B | – | 6.2% reported |
| Nutrition, first nine months 2026Comparable sales growth was (2.1) percent. | $6.42B | – | (1.3%) reported |
| Diagnostics, first nine months 2026Comparable sales growth was 3.8 percent. | $8.58B | – | 32.4% reported |
| Established Pharmaceuticals, first nine months 2026Comparable sales growth was 8.7 percent. | $4.54B | – | 9.3% reported |
| Medical Devices, first nine months 2026Comparable sales growth was 8.2 percent. | $17.22B | – | 9.6% reported |
Amounts quoted below without a unit are in millions, as in the filing’s tables. Per-share figures are as printed.
Full-year 2026 and fourth-quarter 2026 outlook
- RevenueFull-year 2026 comparable sales growth of approximately 6.0%
- NoteFull-year 2026 adjusted diluted earnings per share of $5.50 to $5.55.
- NoteFourth-quarter 2026 adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.62 to $1.67.
Capital returns
- Quarterly dividend of $0.63 per share, payable Nov. 16, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Oct. 15, 2026.
- Abbott has increased its dividend payout for 54 consecutive years.
- Abbott declared its 411th consecutive quarterly dividend.
What drove it
- Total-company third-quarter sales increased 14.5 percent on a reported basis and 7.0 percent on a comparable basis.
- The Exact Sciences acquisition, completed on March 23, 2026, contributed to reported Diagnostics growth. Comparable sales growth includes prior- and current-year Exact Sciences sales.
- Medical Devices comparable sales growth was 7.8 percent, led by double-digit Electrophysiology and Rhythm Management growth.
- Established Pharmaceuticals Key Emerging Markets comparable sales growth was 10.9 percent, led by double-digit growth in India and several Latin America and Asia Pacific markets.
- Abbott announced FDA approval for Libre® Duo, TactiFlex™ Duo Ablation Catheter, Sensor Enabled™, and SimpleScreen™ CRC, and received CE Mark for Amulet 360™ Left Atrial Appendage Occluder.
Concerns
- Third-quarter GAAP operating earnings declined (34.0%) to $1,358, while GAAP net earnings declined (44.1%) to $920 and GAAP diluted EPS declined (43.6%) to $0.53.
- Third-quarter specified items included intangible amortization expense of $841 million, legal settlements of approximately $670 million, and other net expenses of $178 million associated with acquisitions, restructuring actions, and other net expenses.
- Third-quarter GAAP tax rate was 25.3 %, compared with 24.6 % in 3Q25. Taxes on earnings included approximately $35 million of net tax expense related primarily to the resolution of various tax positions and approximately $100 million in adjustments related to a significant non-cash deferred tax benefit.
- Nutrition first-nine-month sales declined (1.3%) on a reported basis and (2.1%) on a comparable basis.
- Third-quarter Neuromodulation sales declined (1.2%) on a reported basis and (1.1%) on a comparable basis.
What to watch
- Execution toward full-year 2026 comparable sales growth of approximately 6.0%.
- Delivery against fourth-quarter 2026 adjusted diluted EPS guidance of $1.62 to $1.67.
- Diagnostics comparable growth following the March 23, 2026 Exact Sciences acquisition.
- The pace of growth in Medical Devices, particularly Electrophysiology, Rhythm Management, and Diabetes Care.
- The impact of legal settlements, acquisition-related expenses, intangible amortization, restructuring actions, and tax adjustments on GAAP earnings.
Analysis
Abbott reported third-quarter net sales of $13,013, up 14.5% from $11,369, with 7.0% comparable sales growth. U.S. sales increased 28.0% to $5,504 and international sales increased 6.2% to $7,509. The difference between reported and comparable growth reflects the Exact Sciences acquisition, which closed on March 23, 2026, as well as foreign exchange and the Structural Heart multi-year agreement adjustment used in Abbott's comparable-sales methodology.
Portfolio growth was broad across the core operating businesses. Medical Devices generated $5,826 of sales, up 6.9% reported and 7.8% comparable, with double-digit comparable growth in Electrophysiology and Rhythm Management. Diagnostics generated $3,305 of sales, up 46.7% reported but 6.4% comparable, with Core Laboratory growth across major regions and Cancer Diagnostics comparable growth of 13.8%. Established Pharmaceuticals grew 8.4% on a comparable basis, supported by 10.9% comparable growth in Key Emerging Markets. Nutrition grew 4.9% on a comparable basis, with Pediatric sales up 8.7% on that basis.
Adjusted profitability improved despite substantial GAAP charges. Net earnings excluding specified items increased 8.7% to $2,477 and adjusted diluted EPS increased 9.2% to $1.42. In contrast, GAAP net earnings fell 44.1% to $920 and GAAP diluted EPS fell 43.6% to $0.53. Third-quarter specified items included $841 million of intangible amortization, approximately $670 million of legal settlements, and $178 million of other net expenses. GAAP operating earnings fell 34.0% to $1,358 as total operating cost and expenses increased 25.2% to $11,655.
The first nine months show a similar contrast between reported acquisition-supported growth and underlying comparable growth. Net sales increased 11.9% to $36,770, while comparable sales growth was 5.2%. Adjusted diluted EPS increased 6.3% to $3.88, whereas GAAP diluted EPS declined 38.1% to $1.67. Nutrition remained the principal weaker operating area over the nine-month period, with sales down 1.3% reported and 2.1% comparable, while Medical Devices delivered 8.2% comparable growth.
Abbott reaffirmed the midpoint of its prior full-year adjusted EPS outlook and tightened the range to $5.50 to $5.55. The company continues to project full-year comparable sales growth of approximately 6.0% and provided fourth-quarter adjusted diluted EPS guidance of $1.62 to $1.67. The filing does not provide forward-looking GAAP measures because Abbott said it cannot predict with reasonable certainty the timing and impact of items including restructuring, cost reductions, intangible impairments, acquisition-related expenses, and foreign exchange.
Management, verbatim
Abbott delivered strong third-quarter results, reflecting balanced growth across our portfolio.
Robert B. Ford, chairman and chief executive officer, Abbott
With strong performance across multiple businesses and a robust pipeline of innovation, we are well-positioned to deliver sustainable growth in the years ahead.
Robert B. Ford, chairman and chief executive officer, Abbott
Not in the filing
stated, not guessed- Cash balance
- Debt balance
- Operating cash flow
- Free cash flow
- Share repurchases
- Balance sheet metrics
- GAAP full-year 2026 EPS guidance
- GAAP fourth-quarter 2026 EPS guidance
- Prior outlook section for comparison with prior guidance
- Third-quarter GAAP gross margin percentage
- Third-quarter adjusted gross margin percentage
- Third-quarter adjusted operating income
- Third-quarter segment operating income or segment margins
AlphAI analysis generated from the company’s SEC earnings filing (Form 8-K Item 2.02, or Form 6-K for a foreign private issuer). Every figure was cross-checked against the filing text; consensus estimates, price targets and share-price reactions are not shown because they are not in the filing. AI-generated research, not investment advice.
Background
Abbott's Q3 2026 filing provides detailed segment revenue, comparable sales growth, and recent FDA/CE approvals.
Ticker impact
Abbott reaffirmed its full-year 2026 adjusted diluted EPS guidance range to $5.50‑$5.55 after reporting Q3 sales up 14.5% and adjusted EPS of $1.42.
likely limited movement as the reaffirmed guidance caps upside and downside expectations.
Strong sales growth supports the outlook, but unchanged guidance suggests the market has already priced the results.
Market effects
Positive sales momentum may lift the broader health‑care and diagnostics sector.
U.S. investors may see modest buying in Abbott and peers.
International exposure in Abbott's diagnostics and nutrition businesses could support related overseas stocks.
Counterpoint
If investors expected a raise in EPS guidance, the reaffirmation could trigger a short‑cover rally.
Key entities
- companyAbbott Laboratories
U.S. health‑care and diagnostics firm.
