Abbott Laboratories Reports Mixed Q1 2026 Earnings Amid Lowered EPS Outlook
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 5 days ago
0mins
Should l Buy ABT?
Source: seekingalpha
- Revenue Growth: Abbott Laboratories reported an approximately 8% year-over-year revenue increase in Q1 2026, reaching $11.2 billion, surpassing consensus estimates by $160 million, primarily driven by a notable 13% growth in its MedTech division, marking the company's first top-line beat in two quarters.
- Lowered EPS Outlook: Despite the revenue beat, Abbott has revised its 2026 adjusted diluted EPS outlook down to $5.38–$5.58 from the previous range of $5.55–$5.80, largely due to a $21 billion acquisition of Exact Sciences that introduced $0.20 per share dilution, resulting in a decline in share price during trading.
- Declining Market Rating: Abbott ranks last among the top 10 large-cap U.S. healthcare equipment stocks according to Seeking Alpha's Quant Rating, with a score of just 2.86, reflecting headwinds from diluted guidance, an underperforming Nutrition segment, and compressed gross margins.
- Future Sales Growth Forecast: The company forecasts a comparable sales growth of 6.5%-7.5% for 2026, while integrating Exact Sciences with a projected $0.20 EPS dilution, indicating that Abbott aims to maintain growth expectations despite facing significant challenges.
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Analyst Views on ABT
Wall Street analysts forecast ABT stock price to rise
19 Analyst Rating
17 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 96.000
Low
136.00
Averages
148.11
High
169.00
Current: 96.000
Low
136.00
Averages
148.11
High
169.00
About ABT
Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare company. The Company’s principal business is the discovery, development, manufacture, and sale of a broad and diversified line of healthcare products. Its segments include Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. Established Pharmaceutical Products segment is engaged in the international sales of a broad line of branded generic pharmaceutical products. Diagnostic Products segment is involved in the worldwide sales of diagnostic systems and tests for blood banks, hospitals, commercial laboratories and alternate-care testing sites. Nutritional Products segment is engaged in the worldwide sales of a broad line of adult and pediatric nutritional products. Medical Devices segment is involved in the worldwide sales of rhythm management, electrophysiology, heart failure, vascular, structural heart, neuromodulation and diabetes care products. It serves people in more than 160 countries.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Abbott Laboratories Diversification Advantage: Abbott (NYSE: ABT) benefits from its diversified business model across medical devices, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and nutrition, which has provided revenue stability, particularly during the pandemic when diagnostics surged to offset declines in medical devices.
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