Abbott tightens 2026 EPS range to $5.50 to $5.55 as third-quarter sales jump 14.5%

Abbott Laboratories narrowed its full-year profit forecast on Wednesday after third-quarter sales rose 14.5%, helped by its purchase of cancer diagnostics company Exact Sciences.

The health care company now expects 2026 adjusted earnings of $5.50 to $5.55 a share, keeping the midpoint of its previous range, according to its earnings release filed with an 8-K. It forecast fourth-quarter adjusted EPS of $1.62 to $1.67 and full-year comparable sales growth of about 6.0%.

Third-quarter sales reached $13.01 billion, up from $11.37 billion a year earlier. On a comparable basis, which counts Exact Sciences in both periods and excludes currency, sales grew 7.0%.

Adjusted earnings, which exclude specified items, rose 9.2% to $1.42 a share from $1.30. GAAP diluted EPS fell to $0.53 from $0.94, as amortization of intangible assets doubled to $841 million and net interest expense rose to $297 million from $44 million.

Where the growth came from

Diagnostics sales jumped 46.7% on a reported basis to $3.31 billion, or 6.4% on a comparable basis, with cancer diagnostics up 13.8% comparably. Medical Devices, the largest unit, grew 6.9% to $5.83 billion. Established Pharmaceuticals rose 6.8%, and Nutrition gained 5.1%.

"Abbott delivered strong third-quarter results, reflecting balanced growth across our portfolio," Chief Executive Robert Ford said in the release.

The company highlighted several approvals during the quarter, including U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of Libre Duo, a combined glucose and ketone sensor, and its TactiFlex Duo ablation catheter.

By the numbers

• Sales: $13.01 billion, up 14.5% reported, 7.0% comparable
• Adjusted diluted EPS: $1.42, vs. $1.30
• GAAP diluted EPS: $0.53, vs. $0.94
• 2026 adjusted EPS guidance: $5.50 to $5.55
• Q4 adjusted EPS guidance: $1.62 to $1.67

Sources

1. Abbott Laboratories, Form 8-K (Item 2.02) with Exhibit 99.1 earnings release, filed Oct. 21, 2026, accession 0001628280-26-066601

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