Abbott Laboratories reported first‑quarter 2026 revenue of $11.164 billion, up 3.7% from the $10.358 billion reported in Q1 2025, and adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.15, matching the consensus estimate of $1.15 and slightly exceeding the $1.14 estimate used by some analysts. The company’s revenue beat the consensus estimate of $11.03 billion by $134 million, driven by strong performance in its medical devices and diagnostics segments.
Medical devices sales rose 13% to $5.54 billion, led by double‑digit growth in rhythm management, electrophysiology and heart‑failure products. Diagnostics sales increased 6.1% to $2.18 billion, with cancer‑diagnostics products such as Cologuard and Cancerguard contributing the bulk of the growth, while rapid and molecular diagnostics fell 10% due to a weaker respiratory‑virus season. Nutrition sales fell 6% to $2.02 billion, a decline attributed to strategic pricing actions and lower volumes, and established pharmaceuticals grew 13% to $1.43 billion.
The results were influenced by the completion of the $21 billion acquisition of Exact Sciences on March 23, 2026. The acquisition adds a high‑growth oncology diagnostics platform and is expected to generate approximately $3 billion of incremental sales in 2026. Management noted that the deal introduces a $0.20 dilution to adjusted EPS for the year, which is reflected in the updated full‑year guidance.
Abbott lowered its full‑year 2026 comparable sales growth guidance to 6.5%–7.5% and adjusted diluted EPS guidance to $5.38–$5.58, a slight downward revision from the prior range of $5.55–$5.80. CEO Robert Ford said, “Our first‑quarter results were aligned with our expectations to start the year.” He added, “We forecast the addition of Exact Sciences to add approximately $3 billion of incremental sales in 2026 and accelerate Abbott’s long‑term sales growth rate.”
Investors reacted with caution, citing the $0.20 EPS dilution from the Exact Sciences acquisition and the weaker respiratory‑virus season that impacted rapid and molecular diagnostics. Despite meeting EPS expectations and beating revenue estimates, the market’s focus on short‑term headwinds tempered enthusiasm for the company’s outlook.
Compared with Q1 2025, Abbott’s adjusted EPS rose from $1.09 to $1.15, while GAAP diluted EPS increased from $0.76 to $0.61, reflecting the impact of acquisition‑related charges and restructuring costs. The company’s ability to maintain margin strength amid integration costs and headwinds in legacy segments signals disciplined execution and positions Abbott to capitalize on the growing oncology diagnostics market.
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