8-KEarnings & ResultsExhibits & Filings

ABBOTT LABORATORIES 8-K Report, Financial Results (Oct 19, 2011)

Filed October 19, 2011For Securities:ABT

Summary

Abbott Laboratories (ABT) filed an 8-K on October 19, 2011, to report its financial results for the third quarter of 2011. The filing primarily serves to furnish a press release detailing these results, which is incorporated by reference. Investors should note that the company utilizes non-GAAP financial measures, such as net earnings and diluted earnings per share excluding specified items, alongside GAAP measures. These adjustments are made for factors considered unusual or unpredictable, including acquisition costs, asset impairments, currency fluctuations, legal settlements, and restructuring initiatives. Management believes these non-GAAP measures offer a more insightful view of ongoing business performance, allowing for a better evaluation of operational trends. However, Abbott cautions investors that these non-GAAP figures should be considered in conjunction with, not as a replacement for, their GAAP-prepared counterparts. The primary purpose of this filing is to provide timely disclosure of the company's quarterly financial performance and the specific metrics used by management for performance assessment.

Key Highlights

  • 1Abbott Laboratories announced its third-quarter 2011 financial results on October 19, 2011.
  • 2The 8-K filing includes a press release (Exhibit 99.1) with detailed results of operations for Q3 2011.
  • 3The company utilizes non-GAAP financial measures alongside GAAP measures.
  • 4Non-GAAP measures include net earnings and diluted EPS excluding specified items.
  • 5Adjustments in non-GAAP measures cover items like acquisition costs, asset impairments, currency impacts, and restructuring costs.
  • 6Management uses non-GAAP measures to assess ongoing business performance and believes they provide useful insights to investors.
  • 7Abbott advises investors to consider non-GAAP measures in addition to, not as a substitute for, GAAP financial measures.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main purpose of this 8-K filing is to announce and provide details on Abbott Laboratories' financial results for the third quarter of 2011. It includes a press release that contains the company's operational and financial performance for the quarter.

Yes, Abbott Laboratories uses non-GAAP financial measures, such as net earnings and diluted earnings per share excluding specified items, in addition to its GAAP-reported results. These measures are adjusted for items considered unusual or unpredictable by management.

Abbott's management uses these non-GAAP measures internally and believes they provide useful information to investors by allowing for a better evaluation of ongoing business performance. They are intended to highlight operational trends by excluding the impact of certain items.

Items excluded from Abbott's non-GAAP measures can include, but are not limited to, acquisition-related costs, asset impairments, currency devaluations, legislative reforms, product recalls, litigation reserves, acquired in-process R&D, tax audit settlements, and restructuring initiatives.