AbbVie trims 2026 EPS outlook by 11 cents on $216 million third-quarter IPR&D charge

AbbVie is lowering the bar for its third quarter before it reports. The company said in a regulatory filing late Monday that results for the quarter ended Sept. 30 are expected to include $216 million of pre-tax acquired in-process research and development and milestones expense.

That charge works out to an unfavorable $0.11 per share on both a GAAP and adjusted non-GAAP diluted basis, according to the 8-K.

AbbVie now guides to adjusted diluted earnings per share of $13.76 to $13.96 for full-year 2026, including the third-quarter charge. The previously announced range, which excluded third-quarter acquired IPR&D and milestones expense, was $13.87 to $14.07.

For the third quarter alone, the company's adjusted EPS guidance now stands at $3.73 to $3.77, down from $3.84 to $3.88.

The adjustment reflects how AbbVie handles these costs. The company said it does not forecast acquired IPR&D and milestones expense because the timing of collaborations, licensing deals and other asset acquisitions is uncertain, so its July 31 guidance excluded any such expense beyond the second quarter. Including the new charge, acquired IPR&D and milestones expense for 2026 totals $1.251 billion, according to the company's guidance table.

The figures are preliminary. AbbVie said third-quarter results have not been finalized and remain subject to its closing procedures, and final results could differ from the estimates.

By the numbers

• Q3 acquired IPR&D and milestones expense: $216 million pre-tax
• EPS impact: $0.11 (GAAP and adjusted diluted)
• New 2026 adjusted EPS guidance: $13.76 to $13.96 (was $13.87 to $14.07)
• New Q3 adjusted EPS guidance: $3.73 to $3.77 (was $3.84 to $3.88)
• 2026 acquired IPR&D and milestones expense including Q3: $1.251 billion

Sources

1. AbbVie Inc. Form 8-K (Item 2.02), filed Oct. 5, 2026, accession 0001551152-26-000030
2. AbbVie Inc. Exhibit 99.1, "Guidance Including the Impact of Acquired IPR&D and Milestones Expense," Oct. 5, 2026

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