Abbott Laboratories (ABT) Q1 2026 earnings summary

Executive summary

• First-quarter 2026 sales reached $11.2B, up 7.8% reported and 3.7% on a comparable basis year-over-year.

• Adjusted diluted EPS was $1.15, up 6% year-over-year, despite higher financing costs from the Exact Sciences acquisition and a weak respiratory season.

• Completion of the Exact Sciences acquisition marks a strategic milestone, expanding leadership in cancer diagnostics and expected to contribute $3B in incremental 2026 sales.

• Over 200 ongoing clinical trials, with notable positive results in diabetes and cardiac device studies.

• Strategic collaborations and positive clinical trial results announced in cardiovascular and diabetes care.

Financial highlights

• Net sales reached $11.16B, up from $10.36B in Q1 2025; GAAP sales increased 7.8% year-over-year.

• Adjusted EPS was $1.15; GAAP diluted EPS was $0.61.

• Medical Devices sales were $5.5B, Diagnostics $2.2B, Nutrition $2.0B, and Established Pharmaceuticals $1.4B.

• Adjusted gross margin was 56.3% of sales; adjusted R&D was 6.7% and SG&A was 29.3% of sales.

• Gross margin (adjusted) was $6.28B, up from $5.92B in Q1 2025.

Outlook and guidance

• Full-year 2026 comparable sales growth outlook is 6.5%-7.5%, including Exact Sciences.

• Adjusted EPS guidance for 2026 is $5.38 to $5.58, reflecting $0.20 dilution from the Exact Sciences acquisition.

• Q2 adjusted EPS forecasted at $1.25-$1.31; CGM expected to return to double-digit growth in Q2.

• Growth acceleration expected in the second half, driven by nutrition, electrophysiology, and Core Lab diagnostics.