Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) delivered stronger-than-expected second-quarter results and increased its full-year earnings guidance, sending its shares about 2.5% higher in premarket trading.
The healthcare company reported adjusted earnings of $1.31 per share, exceeding the analyst consensus of $1.28. Revenue reached $12.59 billion, ahead of the expected $12.52 billion, representing reported growth of 13.0% and comparable growth of 4.8% from the same period last year.
Full-year guidance moves higher
Following the better-than-expected quarter, Abbott lifted its adjusted diluted earnings per share guidance for 2026 to a range of $5.45 to $5.60, compared with its previous forecast of $5.38 to $5.58.
The midpoint of the updated range, $5.53 per share, is above the analyst consensus estimate of $5.48.
The company maintained its outlook for comparable sales growth of between 6.5% and 7.5% for the full year and projected third-quarter adjusted diluted earnings of $1.38 to $1.46 per share.
“Our second-quarter results reflect the momentum we are building,” said Robert B. Ford, chairman and chief executive officer, Abbott. “We expect this momentum to continue and drive accelerating sales and earnings growth in the second half of the year.”
Medical Devices remains the key growth engine
Abbott’s Medical Devices division generated quarterly revenue of $5.85 billion, increasing 9.0% on a reported basis and 8.4% on a comparable basis.
The company highlighted low-double-digit growth in electrophysiology, while Rhythm Management, Diabetes Care and Heart Failure businesses each delivered high-single-digit gains.
Within Diabetes Care, sales of continuous glucose monitoring systems increased 11.0% on a reported basis and 9.5% on a comparable basis.
Diagnostics and pharmaceuticals post solid gains
Diagnostics revenue climbed to $3.09 billion, rising 42.3% on a reported basis and 2.9% on a comparable basis.
The Cancer Diagnostics business benefited from mid-teens growth in Cologuard, supported by expanding adoption among both new and returning patients.
Core Laboratory Diagnostics delivered strong performance in the United States and Latin America, while Rapid and Molecular Diagnostics experienced lower respiratory virus testing demand compared with the prior year.
Established Pharmaceuticals reported revenue of $1.50 billion, representing reported growth of 8.4% and comparable growth of 8.7%, driven by double-digit expansion across several Latin American and Asia-Pacific markets.
Nutrition revenue declined 3.1% on a reported basis and 3.6% on a comparable basis to $2.14 billion, reflecting lower sales volumes and pricing initiatives introduced late last year.
Abbott Laboratories stock price
