8-KEarnings & ResultsExhibits & Filings

ABBOTT LABORATORIES 8-K Report, Financial Results (Jan 12, 2009)

Filed January 12, 2009For Securities:ABT

Summary

Abbott Laboratories (ABT) filed an 8-K on January 12, 2009, primarily to announce its full-year earnings per share (EPS) guidance for 2009 and reaffirm its 2008 EPS guidance. The company highlighted its use of a non-GAAP financial measure, diluted EPS excluding specified items, which adjusts for unusual or unpredictable factors like acquisition costs and R&D write-offs. Abbott's management believes this non-GAAP metric offers investors a clearer view of ongoing business performance and is also used internally for performance monitoring. Investors should note that while Abbott emphasizes the usefulness of this adjusted EPS, it cautions that it should be considered alongside, not as a replacement for, GAAP-based financial measures. The filing also includes a press release dated January 12, 2009, as an exhibit, detailing these financial outlooks.

Key Highlights

  • 1Abbott Laboratories announced its 2009 full-year earnings per share (EPS) guidance.
  • 2The company reaffirmed its previously issued 2008 EPS guidance.
  • 3A non-GAAP financial measure, diluted EPS excluding specified items, is presented.
  • 4This non-GAAP measure excludes items such as acquisition-related costs, cost reduction initiatives, and R&D write-offs.
  • 5Management believes the non-GAAP measure aids investors in evaluating ongoing business performance.
  • 6The company recommends considering the non-GAAP measure in addition to GAAP measures.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary purpose of this 8-K filing is to announce Abbott Laboratories' full-year earnings per share (EPS) guidance for 2009 and to confirm its previously issued guidance for 2008.

Abbott is using a non-GAAP measure of diluted earnings per common share, excluding specified items. This measure adjusts for factors that are considered unusual or unpredictable, such as acquisition-related costs, cost reduction initiatives, acquired in-process research and development, and gains/losses on certain investments.

Abbott's management believes that this non-GAAP measure provides investors with useful information to better evaluate the company's ongoing business performance. Management also uses this measure internally to monitor business performance.

No, Abbott cautions investors to consider this non-GAAP financial measure in addition to, and not as a substitute for, financial measures prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).