Abbott (NYSE: ABT) reported Q1 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.15, matching consensus, and revenue of $11.164 billion, slightly ahead of the $11 billion estimate. Shares dropped roughly 4.69% in pre-market and fell about 5%-6% during the session as investors reacted to a trimmed full-year EPS outlook tied to the Exact Sciences acquisition.
About Abbott Laboratories
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) is a diversified global healthcare company founded in 1888 and headquartered in Abbott Park, Illinois. The company operates across four core segments, Medical Devices, Diagnostics, Nutrition, and Established Pharmaceuticals, with vascular devices representing about 48.3% of net sales, diagnostics 20.2%, nutrition 19.1%, and pharmaceuticals 12.4%.
Abbott trades near a market capitalization of approximately $176 billion, with shares recently around $101.56, close to a 52-week low of $99.05. The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.63 per share and has raised its dividend for 54 consecutive years, qualifying it for the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index. On March 23, 2026, Abbott closed its acquisition of Exact Sciences, adding Cologuard, Oncotype DX, Cancerguard, and Oncodetect to expand its leadership in oncology diagnostics.
Top Financial Highlights
- Total Revenue of $11.164 billion, up 7.8% reported and 3.7% on a comparable basis versus Q1 2025
- GAAP Net Earnings of $1,077 million and adjusted net earnings of $2,022 million
- GAAP Diluted EPS of $0.61 and adjusted diluted EPS of $1.15, up 6% year over year
- Adjusted Gross Margin of 56.3% of sales
- GAAP Operating Earnings of $1,345 million for the quarter
- Adjusted R&D spending of 6.7% of sales and adjusted SG&A of 29.3% of sales
- Medical Devices segment sales of $5,539 million, up 13.2% reported and 8.5% comparable, led by Electrophysiology, Heart Failure, and Rhythm Management
- Diagnostics segment sales of $2,180 million, up 6.1% reported, aided by the Exact Sciences contribution
- Established Pharmaceuticals sales of $1,426 million, up 13.2% reported and 9.0% comparable
- Nutrition segment sales of $2,017 million, down 6.0% reported after Q4 2025 pricing reset
- Foreign exchange contributed approximately 4% to first-quarter sales growth
- Quarterly dividend of $0.63 per share declared, extending 54 years of dividend increases
- Exact Sciences acquisition completed on March 23, 2026, expected to add about $3 billion in 2026 incremental sales
- Q2 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $1.25 to $1.31
- Full-year 2026 adjusted diluted EPS guidance of $5.38 to $5.58, including $0.20 of dilution from Exact Sciences
- Full-year 2026 comparable sales growth guidance of 6.5% to 7.5%
Beat or Miss?
| Metric | Reported | Estimated/Expected | Difference/Analysis |
| Revenue | $11.164 billion | $11.00 billion consensus | Beat by about 1.45% |
| Adjusted Diluted EPS | $1.15 | $1.15 consensus / $1.14 (9-analyst) | In line to slight beat |
| GAAP Diluted EPS | $0.61 | N/A | No consensus cited in release |
| Comparable Sales Growth | 3.7% | Within guided range | In line |
| FY2026 Adj. EPS Guidance | $5.38 to $5.58 | Prior midpoint $5.68; consensus $5.47 | Midpoint lowered by $0.20 for Exact Sciences dilution |
What Leadership Is Saying?
“Adjusted earnings per share of $1.15 were consistent with guidance, despite a weaker than expected respiratory season, and the quarter marked an important strategic milestone with the completion of the Exact Sciences deal on March 23. The acquisition adds a new high-growth business to the Abbott portfolio.” – Robert Ford, Chairman and CEO
“First-quarter reported results include Exact Sciences from the close date through quarter-end, and we are now emphasizing comparable sales growth metrics. On a comparable basis, first-quarter sales increased 3.7% and adjusted EPS rose 6% year over year.” – Phil Boudreau, CFO
Historical Performance
| Category | Q1 2026 | Q1 2025 | Change (%) |
| Total Revenue | $11,164 million | ~$10,358 million (implied) | +7.8% reported |
| Adjusted Diluted EPS | $1.15 | ~$1.08 (implied) | +6% |
| Medical Devices Sales | $5,539 million | ~$4,893 million (implied) | +13.2% |
| Nutrition Sales | $2,017 million | ~$2,146 million (implied) | –6.0% |
Historical Performance of Competitors
Direct like-for-like Q1 2026 results for large-cap diagnostics and device peers were not contained in Abbott’s release; figures below reflect context cited in the coverage.
| Category | Q1 2026 | Q1 2025 | Change (%) |
| Abbott Revenue | $11,164 million | Implied ~$10,358 million | +7.8% |
| Abbott Medical Devices (comparable) | $5,539 million | Prior-year base implied | +8.5% comparable |
| Exact Sciences (pre-close, standalone) | Integrated from March 23, 2026 | Standalone 2025 results | Expected ~$3B 2026 incremental contribution to Abbott |
How the Market Reacted?
Abbott shares slid about 4.69% in pre-market trading on April 16, 2026, and finished the session down around 5%-6% despite the modest revenue beat. Investors focused on the trimmed full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $5.38-$5.58 from a prior midpoint of $5.68, reflecting $0.20 of near-term dilution from the Exact Sciences acquisition.
Weakness in the Nutrition segment, down 6%, and a softer respiratory testing season also weighed on sentiment. Sell-side tone remained constructive, with TD Cowen reiterating a Buy rating at a $137 price target and UBS at $158, citing Cologuard momentum and upcoming CHAMPION structural heart data.
