Abbott Laboratories (ABT) — Agentic Tribune

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Financial statements

data from SEC XBRL filings. Values are as-reported; restatements supersede originals.

From 10-Q filed 2026-04-29 (period ending 2026-03-31).

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Financial Review — Results of Operations

Abbott’s revenues are derived primarily from the sale of a broad portfolio of healthcare products under short-term receivable arrangements. Patent protection and licenses, technological and performance features, and inclusion of Abbott’s products under a contract most significantly impact which products are sold; price controls, competition, and rebates most significantly impact the net selling prices of products; and foreign currency translation impacts the measurement of net sales and costs. Abbott’s primary products are medical devices, diagnostic testing products, nutritional products, and branded generic pharmaceuticals.

The following tables detail sales by reportable segment for the three months ended March 31. Percent changes are versus the prior year and are based on unrounded numbers.

	Net Sales to External Customers
(in millions)	Three Months Ended March 31, 2026		Three Months Ended March 31, 2025		Total Change		Impact of Foreign Exchange		Total Change Excl. Foreign Exchange
Established Pharmaceutical Products	$	1,426	$	1,260	13.2	%	4.2	%	9.0	%
Nutritional Products	2,017		2,146		(6.0)		1.7		(7.7)
Diagnostic Products	2,180		2,054		6.1		3.6		2.5
Medical Devices	5,539		4,895		13.2		5.1		8.1
Total Reportable Segments	11,162		10,355		7.8		4.0		3.8
Other	2		3		n/m		n/m		n/m
Net Sales	$	11,164	$	10,358	7.8		4.0		3.8
Total U.S.	$	4,274	$	4,168	2.5		—		2.5
Total International	$	6,890	$	6,190	11.3		6.7		4.6

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Notes:			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.
			n/m = Percent change is not meaningful

The 3.8 percent increase in total net sales during the first quarter of 2026, excluding the impact of foreign exchange, primarily reflected higher product sales in the Medical Devices and Established Pharmaceutical Products segments. Nutritional Products sales primarily declined due to lower sales volumes compared to the prior year. Diagnostic Products sales reflect the acquisition of Exact Sciences Corporation (Exact Sciences), which was completed on March 23, 2026, with sales from the acquisition reported in the Diagnostic Products segment as Cancer Diagnostics from the date of acquisition. On a reported basis, net sales were favorably impacted by foreign exchange as the relatively weaker U.S. dollar increased total international sales by 6.7 percent and total sales by 4.0 percent.

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The table below provides detail by sales category for the three months ended March 31. Percent changes are versus the prior year and are based on unrounded numbers.

(in millions)	March 31, 2026		March 31, 2025		Total Change		Impact of Foreign Exchange		Total Change Excl. Foreign Exchange
Established Pharmaceutical Products —
Key Emerging Markets	$	1,089	$	965	12.9	%	3.5	%	9.4	%
Other Emerging Markets	337		295		14.1		6.2		7.9
Nutritional Products —
International Pediatric Nutritionals	442		453		(2.6)		2.7		(5.3)
U.S. Pediatric Nutritionals	511		588		(13.0)		—		(13.0)
International Adult Nutritionals	731		738		(0.9)		3.4		(4.3)
U.S. Adult Nutritionals	333		367		(9.2)		—		(9.2)
Diagnostic Products —
Core Laboratory	1,272		1,177		8.1		4.8		3.3
Rapid and Molecular	812		877		(7.4)		2.2		(9.6)
Cancer Diagnostics	96		—		n/a		n/a		n/a
Medical Devices —
Rhythm Management	684		585		17.0		4.5		12.5
Electrophysiology	788		675		16.7		4.2		12.5
Heart Failure	389		339		14.6		2.4		12.2
Vascular	777		710		9.5		4.6		4.9
Structural Heart	578		531		9.0		5.4		3.6
Neuromodulation	243		228		6.8		2.7		4.1
Diabetes Care	2,080		1,827		13.8		6.4		7.4

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

In the first three months of 2026, total Established Pharmaceutical Products sales, excluding the impact of foreign exchange, increased 9.0 percent. Excluding the favorable effect of foreign exchange, sales in Key Emerging Markets for Established Pharmaceutical Products increased 9.4 percent in the first three months of 2026, led by double-digit growth in several countries across the Latin America and Asia Pacific regions. Other Emerging Markets, excluding the effect of foreign exchange, increased 7.9 percent in the first three months of 2026.

Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, total Nutritional Products sales in the first three months of 2026 decreased 7.7 percent. The decline primarily reflected lower sales volumes across both pediatric and adult nutritional product portfolios in the U.S. and internationally.

In the first three months of 2026, Diagnostic Products sales increased 2.5 percent, excluding the impact of foreign exchange. Growth in Core Laboratory and the inclusion of Exact Sciences' results were partially offset by a decline in Rapid and Molecular Diagnostics. Cancer Diagnostics results include Exact Sciences' net sales of $96 million from the acquisition date of March 23, 2026.

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In Core Laboratory, sales increased 3.3 percent in the first three months of 2026, excluding the impact of foreign exchange, reflecting continued growth of diagnostic test sales on the Alinity® platform across the U.S., Europe, and Latin America, partially offset by lower sales in China due to continued challenging market conditions. In Rapid and Molecular Diagnostics, sales decreased 9.6 percent in the first three months of 2026, excluding the impact of foreign exchange, primarily reflecting lower demand for respiratory virus tests due to a weaker respiratory virus season compared to the prior year.

Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, total Medical Devices sales increased 8.1 percent in the first three months of 2026, led by double‑digit growth in Rhythm Management, Electrophysiology, and Heart Failure. Diabetes Care sales increased 7.4 percent, excluding the impact of foreign exchange, driven by continued growth in Abbott’s continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems in the U.S. and internationally. CGM systems sales totaled $2.0 billion and $1.7 billion in the first three months of 2026 and 2025, respectively, and increased 7.6 percent excluding the impact of foreign exchange.

In Rhythm Management, sales increased 12.5 percent in the first three months of 2026, excluding the impact of foreign exchange, primarily due to growth in Aveir® leadless pacemakers. In Electrophysiology, sales increased 12.5 percent, excluding the impact of foreign exchange, primarily reflecting higher procedure volumes and increased demand for ablation catheters. In Heart Failure, sales increased 12.2 percent, excluding the impact of foreign exchange, primarily reflecting growth across the portfolio of ventricular assist devices and related accessories. In Structural Heart, sales increased 3.6 percent, excluding the impact of foreign exchange, primarily reflecting growth in Navitor® and MitraClip® products, partially offset by the completion of payments related to a multi‑year agreement with a competitor.

The gross profit margin percentage was 52.4 percent for the first quarter of 2026, compared to 52.8 percent for the first quarter of 2025. The decrease in the first three months of 2026 reflects the unfavorable impact of higher costs and foreign exchange, partially offset by the impact of margin improvement initiatives.

Research and development (R&D) expenses increased $51 million to $767 million, or 7.2 percent, in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the prior year. The increase in R&D expenses in the first three months of 2026 was primarily driven by higher spending on development programs across multiple businesses.

Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased $679 million to $3.7 billion, or 22.2 percent, in the first quarter of 2026 primarily due to the acquisition and integration of Exact Sciences, including stock-based compensation expense resulting from the cash out of equity awards related to the acquisition. Higher SG&A expenses also reflect increased selling and marketing spending to drive growth across various businesses, as well as the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange.

Business Acquisition

On March 23, 2026, Abbott completed the acquisition of Exact Sciences for approximately $20.6 billion. The acquisition was funded primarily through the issuance of $20 billion of long-term debt in March 2026, with the remainder funded by cash on hand. Under the terms of the agreement, Abbott paid $105 per common share in cash. As part of the acquisition, Abbott assumed approximately $2.8 billion of Exact Sciences’ debt, of which $1.4 billion was repaid in March 2026. The remaining debt is expected to be repaid in 2026. The acquisition of Exact Sciences is expected to establish Abbott's position in the cancer diagnostics market and expands its portfolio to include products such as Cologuard®, Oncotype DX®, and Cancerguard®.

The preliminary allocation of the fair value of the Exact Sciences acquisition is shown in the table below. Allocation of the purchase price of the acquisition will be finalized when the valuation of assets and liabilities is completed and differences between the preliminary and final allocation could be material.

(in billions)
Acquired intangible assets, non-deductible	$	12.8
Goodwill, non-deductible	11.4
Acquired net tangible assets	0.4
Deferred income taxes recorded at acquisition	(2.0)
Net debt	(2.0)
Total preliminary allocation of fair value	$	20.6

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The goodwill is primarily attributable to future growth opportunities, assembled workforce, potential future technologies, and other intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition, as well as expected synergies from combining operations. The acquired net tangible assets consist primarily of property, plant, and equipment, trade accounts receivable, trade accounts payable, other current liabilities, and other non-current liabilities.

If the acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of 2025, unaudited pro forma consolidated net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2025, would have been approximately $11.1 billion. Unaudited pro forma earnings before taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2025, would have been approximately $0.7 billion, reflecting transaction-related costs of approximately $0.5 billion, interest expense of approximately $0.2 billion, and amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets of approximately $0.2 billion. Unaudited pro forma consolidated net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2026, would have been approximately $11.9 billion. Unaudited pro forma earnings before taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2026, would have been approximately $1.4 billion, reflecting interest expense of approximately $0.2 billion and amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets of approximately $0.2 billion, and excluding transaction-related expenses of $0.5 billion that were directly attributable to the acquisition. The unaudited pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the consolidated results of operations that would have been realized had the Exact Sciences acquisition been completed as of the beginning of 2025, nor is it intended to be indicative of future results of operations of the combined entity.

In the first quarter of 2026, Abbott's consolidated results include $96 million of net sales related to Exact Sciences. Earnings of Exact Sciences included in Abbott's consolidated financial statements since the acquisition date are not material to Abbott's consolidated earnings.

Other (Income) Expense, net

Other (income) expense, net increased from $127 million of income in the first quarter of 2025 to $159 million of income in the first quarter of 2026. The increase in the first quarter of 2026 reflects a prior year change in fair value of contingent consideration liabilities that did not repeat, higher income associated with the non-service cost components of net pension, and post-retirement medical benefits costs.

Interest Expense, net

Interest expense, net increased by $19 million to $68 million in the first quarter of 2026 primarily due to interest on debt related to the acquisition of Exact Sciences, partially offset by interest income on bond proceeds and prior year debt repayments.

Taxes on Earnings

Taxes on earnings reflect the estimated annual effective rates and include charges for interest and penalties. In the first three months of 2026 and 2025, taxes on earnings include $17 million and $73 million, respectively, in excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation. In the first three months of 2026 and 2025, taxes on earnings includes approximately $200 million of tax expense related to a deferred tax asset that was recognized as a significant non-cash tax benefit in a prior year. In the first three months of 2026, taxes on earnings also included approximately $50 million of net tax benefit as the result of the resolution of various tax positions related to prior years.

In September 2023, Abbott received a Statutory Notice of Deficiency (SNOD) from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the 2019 Federal tax year in the amount of $417 million. The primary adjustments proposed in the SNOD relate to the reallocation of income between Abbott’s U.S. entities and its foreign affiliates. Abbott believes that the income reallocation adjustments proposed in the SNOD are without merit, in part because certain adjustments contradict methods that were agreed to with the IRS in prior audit periods. The SNOD also contains other proposed adjustments that Abbott believes are erroneous and unsupported. Abbott filed a petition with the U.S. Tax Court contesting the SNOD in December 2023.

In June 2024, Abbott received a SNOD from the IRS for the 2017 and 2018 Federal tax years in the amount of $192 million. The matters proposed in the 2017/2018 SNOD are substantially similar to the income allocation adjustments included in the 2019 SNOD. Abbott filed a petition in September 2024 with the U.S. Tax Court contesting the 2017/2018 SNOD in a manner consistent with its petition for the 2019 SNOD.

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In October 2024, Abbott received a SNOD from the IRS for the 2020 Federal tax year assessing an additional $443 million of income tax. The primary adjustments proposed in the SNOD are substantially similar to the income allocation adjustments included in the 2017/2018 and 2019 SNODs. Abbott believes that the income reallocation adjustments proposed in the SNOD are without merit. The SNOD also contains other proposed adjustments and omissions that Abbott believes are erroneous and unsupported. In addition to the tax assessment for the 2020 tax year, the 2020 SNOD also contested a deduction for which an estimated $440 million cash tax benefit would be available in a different taxable year as allowed under applicable U.S. tax law. Abbott filed a petition with the U.S. Tax Court contesting the SNOD in December 2024.

Abbott and the IRS are in active discussions regarding several of the disputed items contained in the 2017 – 2020 SNODs.

In July 2024, Abbott received a $413 million tax assessment from the Malaysian tax authorities for the 2023 tax year. The assessment applies a property capital gains tax on the value of the shares associated with the intercompany sale of an affiliate. Abbott believes the assessment of the Malaysian tax authority to be without merit. In October 2025, the Penang High Court upheld the assessment of the Malaysian tax authority. In October 2025, Abbott filed an appeal with the Malaysian Court of Appeals.

There are numerous other income tax jurisdictions for which tax returns are not yet settled, none of which Abbott expects to be individually significant. Abbott intends to vigorously defend its filing positions in all jurisdictions in which it has unresolved tax matters through ongoing discussions with taxing administrations and/or through litigation as necessary. Abbott reserves for uncertain tax positions related to unresolved tax matters where Abbott’s tax filing position does not meet the standard for recognition of an income tax benefit. Abbott continues to believe that the amount of its recorded reserves for uncertain tax positions is appropriate. Reserves for interest and penalties are not significant.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development (OECD) has proposed a two-pillared plan for a revised international tax system. Pillar 1 proposes to reallocate taxing rights among the jurisdictions in which in-scope multinational corporations operate. Pillar 2 proposes to assess a 15 percent minimum tax on the earnings of in-scope multinational corporations on a country-by-country basis. Numerous countries have enacted legislation to adopt the Pillar 2 model rules. On January 5, 2026, the OECD released administrative guidance that, when enacted, exempts U.S.-parented groups from the Pillar 2 minimum tax. Abbott continues to monitor legislative developments and assess any potential impacts on Abbott's operations for both the Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 proposals.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The decrease in cash and cash equivalents from $8.5 billion at December 31, 2025, to $6.8 billion at March 31, 2026, reflects the use of cash to fund the cash portion of the acquisition of Exact Sciences and the repayment of $1.4 billion of debt assumed as part of the acquisition, as well as the payment of dividends and capital expenditures in the first three months of 2026, partially offset by cash generated from operations.

Working capital was $7.1 billion at March 31, 2026, and $9.5 billion at December 31, 2025. The decrease in working capital in 2026 primarily reflects the reduction in cash to fund the cash portion of the Exact Sciences acquisition and the repayment of $1.4 billion of debt assumed as part of the acquisition, as well as an increase in the current portion of long-term debt.

In the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, Net cash from operating activities for the first three months of 2026 totaled $1.3 billion, a decrease of $102 million from the prior year. Cash flow from operating activities decreased during the period, primarily due to the cash out of equity awards related to the acquisition of Exact Sciences, partially offset by a decrease in trade receivables. In the first three months of 2026, Net cash from operating activities included the payment of cash taxes of $266 million. Net cash from operating activities in the first three months of 2025 included $235 million of pension contributions and the payment of cash taxes of $255 million.

At March 31, 2026, Abbott’s long-term debt rating was A+ by S&P Global Ratings and Aa3 by Moody’s Investors Service. Abbott expects to maintain an investment grade rating.

As part of the acquisition, Abbott assumed approximately $2.8 billion of Exact Sciences’ debt, of which $1.4 billion was repaid in March 2026. The remaining debt is expected to be repaid in 2026.

On September 15, 2025, Abbott repaid the $500 million outstanding principal amount of its 3.875% Notes upon maturity. On March 17, 2025, Abbott repaid the $1.0 billion outstanding principal amount of its 2.95% Notes upon maturity.

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In October 2024, the board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $7 billion of Abbott common shares, from time to time (the "2024 repurchase program"). As of March 31, 2026, $6.7 billion remains available for repurchase under the 2024 repurchase program.

In the first quarter of 2026, Abbott declared a quarterly dividend of $0.63 per share on its common shares, which represents an increase of 6.8 percent over the $0.59 per share dividend declared in the first quarter of 2025.

Legislative Issues

Abbott’s primary markets are highly competitive and subject to substantial government regulations throughout the world. Abbott expects debate to continue over the availability, method of delivery, and payment for healthcare products and services. It is not possible to predict the extent to which Abbott or the healthcare industry in general might be adversely affected by these factors in the future. A more complete discussion of these factors is contained in Item 1, Business, and Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

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

Under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Abbott cautions that any forward-looking statements made by Abbott 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 December 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.

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Held by

holders ( registered funds via N-PORT, institutional investors via 13F). Showing top by dollar value.

Holder	Type	ETF	MF	Position ($)	% of holder	Δ % of holder	Holder AUM

Recent insider activity

Last 90 days. Open-market trades (purchases & sales) by directors, officers, and 10%+ owners. 2 transactions across 2 insiders. Net: +12,200 shares, $1,127,837.

Date	Insider	Role	Action	Shares	Price	Value
2026-04-27	STARKS DANIEL J	Director	Buy	+10,000	$92.65	$926,537
2026-04-23	Boudreau Philip P indirect	EVP AND CFO	Buy	+2,200	$91.50	$201,300

Source: SEC Form 4 filings.

Next expected filings

~2026-07-29 10-Q expected by 2026-08-07 (in 89 days)
~2026-10-28 10-Q expected by 2026-11-06 (in 180 days)
~2027-02-19 10-K expected by 2027-03-03 (in 294 days)
~2027-04-28 10-Q expected by 2027-05-07 (in 362 days)

Predicted from historical filing cadence; not an SEC commitment.

Recent SEC filings

2026-04-29 10-Q Quarterly Report
2026-04-27 8-K Officer/Director Change; Bylaws/Articles Amended; Shareholder Vote Results; Financial Statements and Exhibits
2026-04-24 S-8 Employee Benefit Plan Registration
2026-04-17 8-K Other Events; Financial Statements and Exhibits
2026-04-16 8-K Earnings Release; Financial Statements and Exhibits
2026-03-23 8-K Other Events; Financial Statements and Exhibits
2026-03-09 8-K Material Agreement Entered; Material Financial Obligation; Financial Statements and Exhibits
2026-02-26 8-K Material Agreement Entered; Financial Statements and Exhibits
2026-02-20 10-K Annual Report
2026-01-22 8-K Earnings Release; Financial Statements and Exhibits
2025-12-12 8-K Officer/Director Change; Bylaws/Articles Amended; Financial Statements and Exhibits
2025-11-21 8-K Trading Blackout; Financial Statements and Exhibits
2025-11-20 8-K Material Agreement Entered; Regulation FD Disclosure; Other Events; Financial Statements and Exhibits
2025-10-29 10-Q Quarterly Report
2025-10-15 8-K Earnings Release; Financial Statements and Exhibits

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