Abbott second-quarter global sales increase 17.8% to $8.8 billion

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010.

• Diluted earnings per share, excluding specified items, were $1.01, reflecting 13.5 percent growth, exceeding Abbott's previously issued guidance range of $0.98 to $1.00. Diluted earnings per share under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) were $0.83.
• Worldwide sales increased 17.8 percent to $8.8 billion, including a favorable 2.7 percent effect of exchange rates.
• Worldwide pharmaceutical sales increased 24.5 percent, including a favorable 2.8 percent effect of exchange rates and a full quarter of sales contribution from the Solvay Pharmaceuticals acquisition.
• Worldwide vascular products sales increased 26.9 percent, including a favorable 2.3 percent effect of exchange rates, driven by strong international growth.
• Worldwide diagnostics sales increased 8.0 percent, including a favorable 3.5 percent effect of exchange rates.
• Worldwide nutritional sales increased 10.1 percent, including a favorable 2.8 percent effect of exchange rates, driven by strong double-digit growth in international nutritionals.

"Abbott's diverse sources of earnings growth led to strong financial results again this quarter, continuing Abbott's record of steady, reliable performance," said Miles D. White, chairman and chief executive officer, Abbott. "We also strengthened our emerging markets presence with the announced acquisition of Piramal Healthcare Solutions, giving Abbott the number-one position in the fast-growing Indian pharmaceutical market. This follows several other strategic actions that provide Abbott critical mass to capture the significant growth expected in emerging markets."

Abbott confirms double-digit earnings-per-share growth outlook for 2010  

Abbott is confirming previously issued earnings-per-share guidance for the full-year 2010 of $4.13 to $4.18, excluding specified items. The midpoint of this guidance range reflects growth of approximately 12 percent over 2009.

Abbott forecasts specified items for the full-year 2010 of approximately $0.55 per share, primarily associated with the impact of health care reform on deferred tax assets, acquisition integration, previously announced cost reduction initiatives, a litigation reserve, in-process research and development related to the Neurocrine collaboration, and the one-time impact of the devaluation of the Venezuelan bolivar on balance sheet translation. Including these specified items, projected earnings per share under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) would be $3.58 to $3.63 for the full-year 2010. As previously indicated, this forecast excludes additional integration costs associated with the Solvay Pharmaceuticals acquisition that are expected to be quantified in the third quarter.

Abbott declares quarterly dividend

On June 11, 2010, the board of directors of Abbott declared the company's quarterly common dividend of 44 cents per share, an increase of 10 percent over the prior period. The cash dividend is payable Aug. 15, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 15, 2010. This marks the 346th consecutive dividend paid by Abbott since 1924.