Abbott earnings rose to an adjusted $1.42 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2026, while sales increased 14.5% to $13.013 billion. In its October 21 results announcement, the healthcare company maintained the midpoint of its full-year adjusted earnings outlook but narrowed the range to $5.50–$5.55 per share. GAAP earnings declined sharply, highlighting the difference between reported and adjusted performance.
Key Takeaways
- Adjusted diluted EPS increased 9.2%, while GAAP diluted EPS fell to $0.53 from $0.94.
- Comparable sales grew 7.0%, below reported growth, with the Exact Sciences acquisition affecting the comparison.
- Management forecast fourth-quarter adjusted diluted EPS of $1.62–$1.67.
Table of Contents
- Abbott earnings show a split between adjusted and reported profit
- Diagnostics growth reflects the expanded business
- Annual outlook retains its midpoint
- Conclusion
Abbott earnings show a split between adjusted and reported profit
Abbott’s third-quarter earnings announcement covered the three months ended September 30, 2026. Adjusted diluted EPS increased from $1.30 a year earlier, and net earnings excluding specified items rose 8.7% to $2.477 billion.
On a GAAP basis, net earnings fell 44.1% to $920 million. Operating earnings declined 34.0% to $1.358 billion as operating costs and expenses grew faster than sales.
The adjusted figures excluded $1.557 billion in net after-tax charges, or $0.89 per share, for intangible amortization, legal settlements, acquisitions, restructuring actions and other net expenses. The comparable exclusion a year earlier was $634 million, or $0.36 per share. That larger adjustment explains why adjusted earnings increased while reported earnings fell.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Medical Devices | Third-quarter 2026 sales: $5.826 billion |
| Diagnostics | Third-quarter 2026 sales: $3.305 billion |
| Nutrition | Third-quarter 2026 sales: $2.262 billion |
| Established Pharmaceuticals | Third-quarter 2026 sales: $1.614 billion |
Diagnostics growth reflects the expanded business
Diagnostics posted the largest reported sales increase among Abbott’s four segments, rising 46.7%. Its comparable growth rate was 6.4%, a distinction that matters when assessing the underlying business rather than the expansion of its reporting scope.
Abbott completed its acquisition of Exact Sciences on March 23, 2026, and now presents those sales within Cancer Diagnostics. Its comparable growth calculation includes Exact Sciences in both periods and excludes foreign-exchange effects and certain Structural Heart compensation payments.
Cancer Diagnostics recorded comparable growth of 13.8%, supported by Cologuard and contributions from precision oncology and international operations. Core Laboratory sales grew 5.4% on a comparable basis, while Rapid and Molecular Diagnostics increased 0.9%.
Elsewhere, Medical Devices delivered 7.8% comparable growth, with Electrophysiology and Rhythm Management achieving double-digit gains. Established Pharmaceuticals grew 8.4% on the same basis, while Nutrition increased 4.9%.
Annual outlook retains its midpoint
Abbott projects approximately 6.0% comparable sales growth for full-year 2026. Its narrowed adjusted diluted EPS range preserves the previous midpoint rather than signaling an increase in the central earnings forecast.
For the fourth quarter, management expects adjusted diluted EPS of $1.62–$1.67. These are non-GAAP forecasts, not completed results. Abbott did not provide corresponding forward-looking GAAP measures because it could not reliably predict the timing and impact of certain items.
The company also expanded its product portfolio during the quarter. August approvals included U.S. clearance for the Libre Duo glucose-ketone sensor and a CE Mark for the Amulet 360 device. In September, Abbott received FDA approval for its TactiFlex Duo ablation catheter and launched the FDA-approved SimpleScreen CRC blood-based colorectal cancer screening test.
Conclusion
The fourth quarter is the next test of Abbott’s narrowed annual earnings range. Its results will also show whether comparable sales growth continues across the expanded diagnostics portfolio and medical-device businesses.
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