On October 21, 2026 Abbott (NYSE: ABT) reported financial results for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2026.
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Third-quarter sales increased 14.5 percent on a reported basis and 7.0 percent on a comparable basis.
Third-quarter GAAP diluted EPS of $0.53 and adjusted diluted EPS of $1.42, which excludes specified items.
Abbott projects full-year 2026 comparable sales growth to be approximately 6.0 percent1.
Abbott reaffirms the midpoint of previously provided full-year 2026 adjusted diluted EPS guidance range and tightens the range to $5.50 to $5.55.
In August, Abbott announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for Libre Duo, the world’s first dual glucose-ketone biowearable sensor. By providing real-time visibility into glucose and ketone levels, this new technology helps optimize the management of diabetes by detecting rising ketone levels, which can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious health condition for people with diabetes.
In August, Abbott announced that the company received CE Mark for its Amulet 360 Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Occluder, a next-generation device designed to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib).
In August, Abbott announced the launch of Similac 360 Total Care Made With Whole Milk — the first and only commercially sterile, ready-to-feed liquid infant formula made with whole milk in the United States.
In September, Abbott announced FDA approval for its TactiFlex Duo Ablation Catheter, Sensor Enabled, designed to deliver both pulsed field ablation (PFA) and radiofrequency (RF) energy to treat patients battling atrial fibrillation.
In September, Abbott launched SimpleScreen CRC, an FDA-approved, blood-based colorectal cancer screening test for adults age 45 and older who are at average risk for the disease.
"Abbott delivered strong third-quarter results, reflecting balanced growth across our portfolio," said 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."
THIRD-QUARTER BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Comparable sales growth:
Management believes that measuring sales growth on a comparable basis is an appropriate way for investors to best understand the underlying performance of the business. Comparable sales growth includes the prior and current year sales of Exact Sciences, a cancer diagnostics company that Abbott acquired on March 23, 2026. Comparable sales growth excludes the impact of foreign exchange and revenue in both the prior and current year related to compensation payments that Abbott’s Structural Heart business received as part of a multi-year agreement with a competitor. The final payment under this agreement was recognized in the first quarter of 2026.
Note: 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.
Third Quarter 2026 Results (3Q26)
Sales 3Q26 ($ in millions)
Total Company
Nutrition
Diagnostics
Established
Pharmaceuticals
Medical Devices
U.S.
5,504
958
1,853
—
2,687
International
7,509
1,304
1,452
1,614
3,139
Total reported
13,013
2,262
3,305
1,614
5,826
% Change vs. 3Q25
U.S.
28.0
7.9
109.2
n/a
6.6
International
6.2
3.1
6.2
6.8
7.2
Total reported
14.5
5.1
46.7
6.8
6.9
Total reported excl. foreign exchange impact
14.8
4.9
46.6
8.4
7.4
Comparable sales growth
7.0
4.9
6.4
8.4
7.8
U.S.
7.9
7.9
8.4
n/a
7.6
International
6.4
2.8
4.0
8.4
8.0
First Nine Months 2026 Results (9M26)
Sales 9M26 ($ in millions)
Total Company
Nutrition
Diagnostics
Established
Pharmaceuticals
Medical Devices
U.S.
14,994
2,673
4,418
—
7,890
International
21,776
3,750
4,159
4,539
9,328
Total reported
36,770
6,423
8,577
4,539
17,218
% Change vs. 9M25
U.S.
17.7
(4.5)
72.0
n/a
7.1
International
8.2
1.1
6.3
9.3
11.7
Total reported
11.9
(1.3)
32.4
9.3
9.6
Total reported excl. foreign exchange impact
10.5
(2.1)
30.8
8.7
7.8
Comparable sales growth
5.2
(2.1)
3.8
8.7
8.2
U.S.
4.7
(4.5)
4.9
n/a
8.1
International
5.7
(0.3)
2.4
8.7
8.3
Refer to table titled "Non-GAAP Revenue Reconciliation" for a reconciliation of comparable sales growth.
Nutrition
Third Quarter 2026 Results (3Q26)
Sales 3Q26 ($ in millions)
Total
Pediatric
Adult
U.S.
958
577
381
International
1,304
486
818
Total reported
2,262
1,063
1,199
% Change vs. 3Q25
U.S.
7.9
11.0
3.5
International
3.1
6.4
1.3
Total reported
5.1
8.8
2.0
Total reported excl. foreign exchange impact
4.9
8.7
1.8
Comparable sales growth
4.9
8.7
1.8
U.S.
7.9
11.0
3.5
International
2.8
6.0
1.0
Worldwide Nutrition sales increased 5.1 percent on a reported basis and 4.9 percent on a comparable basis in the third quarter.
Worldwide Nutrition results were driven by broad-based growth across the portfolio, including sales growth of nearly 9.0 percent in Worldwide Pediatric.
On a sequential basis, Worldwide Nutrition sales increased $118 million compared to the second quarter of 2026.
First Nine Months 2026 Results (9M26)
Sales 9M26 ($ in millions)
Total
Pediatric
Adult
U.S.
2,673
1,613
1,060
International
3,750
1,428
2,322
Total reported
6,423
3,041
3,382
% Change vs. 9M25
U.S.
(4.5)
(4.8)
(4.0)
International
1.1
3.7
(0.5)
Total reported
(1.3)
(1.0)
(1.6)
Total reported excl. foreign exchange impact
(2.1)
(1.6)
(2.6)
Comparable sales growth
(2.1)
(1.6)
(2.6)
U.S.
(4.5)
(4.8)
(4.0)
International
(0.3)
2.4
(2.0)
Diagnostics*
Third Quarter 2026 Results (3Q26)
Sales 3Q26 ($ in millions)
Total
Core Laboratory
Cancer Diagnostics
Rapid/Molecular
Diagnostics
U.S.
1,853
389
938
526
International
1,452
1,049
30
373
Total reported
3,305
1,438
968
899
% Change vs. 3Q25
U.S.
109.2
6.3
n/a
1.1
International
6.2
5.1
n/a
1.0
Total reported
46.7
5.4
n/a
1.1
Total reported excl. foreign exchange impact
46.6
5.4
n/a
0.9
Comparable sales growth
6.4
5.4
13.8
0.9
U.S.
8.4
6.3
13.9
1.1
International
4.0
5.1
12.1
0.7
Worldwide Diagnostics sales increased 46.7 percent on a reported basis and 6.4 percent on a comparable basis in the third quarter.
Worldwide Core Laboratory Diagnostics results were driven by balanced growth across major geographic regions including the U.S., Europe, Japan, and Latin America.
Cancer Diagnostics results were driven by growth of Cologuard and also reflect contributions to growth from the precision oncology and international businesses.
First Nine Months 2026 Results (9M26)
Sales 9M26 ($ in millions)
Total
Core Laboratory
Cancer Diagnostics
Rapid/Molecular
Diagnostics
U.S.
4,418
1,113
1,921
1,384
International
4,159
3,015
62
1,082
Total reported
8,577
4,128
1,983
2,466
% Change vs. 9M25
U.S.
72.0
6.1
n/a
(8.9)
International
6.3
5.8
n/a
1.9
Total reported
32.4
5.9
n/a
(4.5)
Total reported excl. foreign exchange impact
30.8
4.0
n/a
(5.4)
Comparable sales growth
3.8
4.0
13.5
(5.4)
U.S.
4.9
6.1
13.5
(8.9)
International
2.4
3.2
15.0
(0.4)
*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.
Refer to table titled "Non-GAAP Revenue Reconciliation" for a reconciliation of comparable sales growth.
Established Pharmaceuticals
Third Quarter 2026 Results (3Q26)
Sales 3Q26 ($ in millions)
Total
Key Emerging
Markets
Other
U.S.
—
—
—
International
1,614
1,195
419
Total reported
1,614
1,195
419
% Change vs. 3Q25
U.S.
n/a
n/a
n/a
International
6.8
9.0
1.1
Total reported
6.8
9.0
1.1
Total reported excl. foreign exchange impact
8.4
10.9
1.6
Comparable sales growth
8.4
10.9
1.6
U.S.
n/a
n/a
n/a
International
8.4
10.9
1.6
Established Pharmaceuticals sales increased 6.8 percent on a reported basis and 8.4 percent on a comparable basis in the third quarter.
Key Emerging Markets include several emerging countries that represent the most attractive long-term growth opportunities for Abbott’s branded generics product portfolio. Sales in these geographies increased 9.0 percent on a reported basis and 10.9 percent on a comparable basis, led by double-digit growth in India and several markets across the Latin America and Asia Pacific regions.
First Nine Months 2026 Results (9M26)
Sales 9M26 ($ in millions)
Total
Key Emerging
Markets
Other
U.S.
—
—
—
International
4,539
3,448
1,091
Total reported
4,539
3,448
1,091
% Change vs. 9M25
U.S.
n/a
n/a
n/a
International
9.3
10.5
5.6
Total reported
9.3
10.5
5.6
Total reported excl. foreign exchange impact
8.7
10.4
3.6
Comparable sales growth
8.7
10.4
3.6
U.S.
n/a
n/a
n/a
International
8.7
10.4
3.6
Medical Devices
Third Quarter 2026 Results (3Q26)
Sales 3Q26 ($ in millions)
Total
Rhythm
Management
Electro-
physiology*
Heart
Failure
Vascular
Structural
Heart*
Neuro-
modulation
Diabetes
Care
U.S.
2,687
380
429
303
290
228
185
872
International
3,139
372
444
84
496
364
66
1,313
Total reported
5,826
752
873
387
786
592
251
2,185
% Change vs. 3Q25
U.S.
6.6
9.0
18.1
8.4
3.4
(11.1)
(5.6)
9.4
International
7.2
10.4
12.2
(2.7)
6.7
12.2
13.6
4.2
Total reported
6.9
9.7
15.0
5.8
5.4
1.9
(1.2)
6.2
Total reported excl. foreign exchange impact
7.4
10.0
15.5
6.0
5.7
2.6
(1.1)
6.7
Comparable sales growth
7.8
10.0
15.5
6.0
5.7
6.9
(1.1)
6.7
U.S.
7.6
9.0
18.1
8.4
3.4
(2.3)
(5.6)
9.4
International
8.0
11.0
13.1
(1.6)
7.1
13.5
13.9
4.9
Worldwide Medical Devices sales increased 6.9 percent on a reported basis and 7.8 percent on a comparable basis in the third quarter.
Sales growth in the quarter was led by double-digit growth in Electrophysiology and Rhythm Management.
In Diabetes Care, sales of continuous glucose monitors grew 7.3 percent on a reported basis and 7.7 percent on a comparable basis.
First Nine Months 2026 Results (9M26)
Sales 9M26 ($ in millions)
Total
Rhythm
Management
Electro-
physiology*
Heart
Failure
Vascular
Structural
Heart*
Neuro-
modulation
Diabetes
Care
U.S.
7,890
1,096
1,227
908
875
677
551
2,556
International
9,328
1,083
1,295
269
1,491
1,090
203
3,897
Total reported
17,218
2,179
2,522
1,177
2,366
1,767
754
6,453
% Change vs. 9M25
U.S.
7.1
10.4
16.0
10.2
5.2
(10.2)
(2.4)
9.3
International
11.7
13.9
14.5
7.9
8.0
16.1
18.1
10.5
Total reported
9.6
12.1
15.2
9.7
7.0
4.4
2.4
10.0
Total reported excl. foreign exchange impact
7.8
10.6
13.8
8.9
5.2
2.6
1.3
7.7
Comparable sales growth
8.2
10.6
13.8
8.9
5.2
6.5
1.3
7.7
U.S.
8.1
10.4
16.0
10.2
5.2
(2.3)
(2.4)
9.3
International
8.3
10.8
11.9
4.6
5.2
12.8
13.5
6.6
*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, $55 million of sales in the third quarter of 2025 and $156 million of sales in the first nine months of 2025 were moved from Structural Heart to Electrophysiology.
Refer to table titled "Non-GAAP Revenue Reconciliation" for a reconciliation of comparable sales growth.
Abbott’s Financial Guidance
Abbott projects full-year 2026 comparable sales growth to be approximately 6.0%1.
Abbott projects full-year 2026 adjusted diluted earnings per share of $5.50 to $5.55.
Abbott projects fourth-quarter 2026 adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.62 to $1.67.
Abbott has not provided the related GAAP financial measures on a forward-looking basis for these forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures because the company is unable to predict with reasonable certainty and without unreasonable effort the timing and impact of certain items such as restructuring and cost reduction initiatives, charges for intangible asset impairments, acquisition-related expenses, and foreign exchange, which could significantly impact Abbott’s results in accordance with GAAP.
(Press release, Abbott, OCT 21, 2026, View Source [SID1234673635])