Abbott Q4 sales misses analyst expectations, hurt by diagnostics unit's challenges

Abbott Laboratories

22/01/2026 12:40

Overview

Healthcare co's Q4 adjusted EPS grew 12%, meeting analyst expectations

Q4 sales increased 4.4% reported, 3.0% organic, excluding COVID-19 test sales, but misses analyst expectations

Company announced acquisition of Exact Sciences, closing expected in Q2 2026

Outlook

Abbott projects full-year 2026 organic sales growth of 6.5% to 7.5%

Abbott expects full-year 2026 adjusted EPS of $5.55 to $5.80

Company plans new product launches in Nutrition to boost volume growth

Result Drivers

MEDICAL DEVICES GROWTH - Sales in Medical Devices increased 12.3% reported, led by double-digit growth in Electrophysiology, Heart Failure, Diabetes Care, and Rhythm Management

DIAGNOSTICS CHALLENGES - Diagnostics sales decreased 2.5% reported, impacted by lower COVID-19 test sales, though Core Laboratory Diagnostics grew 5.3%

Key Details

Metric
Beat/Miss
Actual
Consensus Estimate
Q4 Adjusted EPS
Meet
$1.50
$1.50 (23 Analysts)
Q4 Total revenue
Miss
$11.46 billion
$11.80 billion

Analyst Coverage

The current average analyst rating on the shares is "buy" and the breakdown of recommendations is 21 "strong buy" or "buy", 10 "hold" and no "sell" or "strong sell"

The average consensus recommendation for the medical equipment, supplies & distribution peer group is "buy"

Wall Street's median 12-month price target for Abbott Laboratories is $145.00, about 20.1% above its January 21 closing price of $120.73

The stock recently traded at 21 times the next 12-month earnings vs. a P/E of 24 three months ago

Press Release: ID:nPncbP6VXa

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(This story was created using Reuters automation and AI based on LSEG and company data. It was checked and edited by a Reuters journalist prior to publication.)