Abbott (NYSE: ABT) sales jump 14.5% as full-year EPS guidance narrows

What happened

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) said third-quarter sales rose 14.5 percent to $13.01 billion, while GAAP diluted EPS fell to $0.53.

Adjusted diluted EPS was $1.42, and comparable sales growth was 7.0 percent.

By segment, diagnostics sales rose 46.7 percent to $3.31 billion, medical devices rose 6.9 percent to $5.83 billion, nutrition rose 5.1 percent to $2.26 billion, and established pharmaceuticals rose 6.8 percent to $1.61 billion.

Abbott projected full-year 2026 comparable sales growth of approximately 6.0 percent and tightened adjusted diluted EPS guidance to $5.50 to $5.55.

On a first-nine-month basis, sales rose 11.9 percent to $36.77 billion and adjusted diluted EPS rose 6.3 percent to $3.88.

Diagnostics sales rose 32.4 percent to $8.58 billion over the first nine months, and medical devices rose 9.6 percent to $17.22 billion.

Nutrition fell 1.3 percent to $6.42 billion, while established pharmaceuticals rose 9.3 percent to $4.54 billion.

The release also cited August and September approvals and launches.

Those included Libre Duo, Amulet 360 Left Atrial Appendage Occluder, Similac 360 Total Care Made With Whole Milk, TactiFlex Duo Ablation Catheter, Sensor Enabled, and SimpleScreen CRC.

Key numbers

Metric	Latest	Change	Source
Third-quarter sales	$13.01 billion	from $11.37 billion, +14.5%	SEC 8-K news release
Comparable sales growth	7.0%		SEC 8-K news release
GAAP diluted EPS	$0.53	from $0.94, -43.6%	SEC 8-K news release
Adjusted diluted EPS	$1.42	from $1.30, +9.2%	SEC 8-K news release
Operating earnings	$1.36 billion	from $2.06 billion, -34.0%	SEC 8-K news release
Net earnings	$920 million	from $1.64 billion, -44.1%	SEC 8-K news release

Read more: Abbott Laboratories (ABT) stock analysis and investment case

Why it matters

Reported sales growth exceeded comparable sales growth by 7.5 percentage points, a gap tied to the filing's acquisition and foreign-exchange adjustments.

First nine months sales reached $36.77 billion, up from $32.87 billion a year earlier, and adjusted diluted EPS rose to $3.88 from $3.65.

OptimistFi's case is that Abbott's diversified portfolio can turn stable demand into cash and per-share growth.

This release is mixed for that view because sales and adjusted EPS improved, but GAAP operating earnings fell 34.0 percent to $1.36 billion and net earnings fell 44.1 percent to $920 million.

The quarter included net after-tax charges of $1.56 billion, mostly for intangible amortization, legal settlements, acquisitions, restructuring actions and other net expenses.

Taxes on earnings also included approximately $100 million in adjustments related to prior recognition of a significant non-cash deferred tax benefit.

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What's next

Abbott's quarterly dividend of $0.63 per share is payable Nov. 16, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Oct. 15, 2026.

Fourth-quarter 2026 adjusted diluted EPS is projected at $1.62 to $1.67.

A result near that range would support the updated outlook, while a miss would weaken it.

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