Abbott Laboratories (ABT) Options

ABT—(+6%)—wins infant-formula suit:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/abbott-shares-rise-securing-first-111608914.html

ABT 3Q24 CC transcript:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/abbott-laboratories-abt-q3-2024-174514282.html

ABT reports 3Q24 results_with_strong med-device growth—authorizes_$7B buyback:

https://www.abbottinvestor.com/static-files/1c377df8-3b8d-4a1f-8392-40cbf0f5ef83

3Q24 sales of $10.64B and 3Q24 non-GAAP EPS of $1.21 were slightly above the consensus figures.

3Q24 sales of FreeStyle Libre (including the OTC Lingo product [#msg-175037758]) were $1.6B, +21% YoY in constant currency.

--
2024 guidance for non-GAAP EPS (which excludes FX and restructuring costs) is now $4.64-4.70, up slightly at the midpoint from the prior guidance of $4.61-4.71 given three months ago. 4Q24 non-GAAP EPS guidance is $1.31-1.37.

2024 guidance for organic sales growth excluding COVID diagnostics is unchanged at 9.5-10%.

Please see #msg-175239879 for a breakdown of ABT’s 3Q24 sales by business segment.

ABT 10Q due October 16

ABT’s Lingo CGM now shipping in US:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/abbotts-lingo-continuous-glucose-monitor-130000534.html Abbott…today announced U.S. availability of Lingo, the company's first continuous glucose monitoring system available without a prescription. The Lingo system includes a biosensor and a mobile app designed for consumers who want to improve their overall health and wellness. Lingo is based on Abbott's world-leading FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring technology, now used by more than 6 million people with diabetes globally.

…Abbott's consumer biowearable, Lingo, is available for consumers 18 years and older not on insulin. Lingo tracks glucose in real-time and provides personal insights and coaching to help people build healthy habits, retrain their metabolism and improve their overall well-being. The competition for Lingo is DXCM’s Stelo CGM, which is also available without a prescription.

Inasmuch as ABT’s Freestyle Libre has annualized sales of about $6B(!), Lingo ought to move the needle even for a company as big as ABT.

ABT new 52 week high

ABT, MDT collaborate on CGM/insulin-delivery system:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/abbott-enters-global-partnership-connect-120000316.html Abbott today announced a unique global partnership with Medtronic to collaborate on an integrated continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system based on Abbott's most advanced, world-leading FreeStyle Libre technology that will connect with Medtronic's automated insulin delivery (AID) and smart insulin pen systems.

The integration of Abbott's CGM sensor with Medtronic's AID algorithms will enable automatic adjustments of insulin to keep glucose in range. The CGM sensor, designed to work exclusively with Medtronic devices, will be developed by Abbott and sold by Medtronic. Financial terms of the collaboration were not disclosed.

Reminder: ABT’s Freestyle Libre CGM is the largest-selling medical device from any company, ever. Freestyle Libre 2Q24 sales were $1.6B (#msg-174774180).

Uptrend started...

Cramer is still bullish...great qtr...infant death law suit is just a bunch of BS and not new...I'm not selling...just one bad day IMO

ABT 2Q24 CC transcript:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/abbott-laboratories-abt-q2-2024-190016264.html

ABT reports 2Q24 results—raises 2024 guidance slightly—for the second consecutive quarter, stock sells off because ABT didn’t raise 2024 guidance to a larger degree:

https://abbott.mediaroom.com/2024-07-18-Abbott-Reports-Second-Quarter-2024-Results-and-Raises-Full-Year-Guidance

2024 guidance for organic sales growth excluding COVID diagnostics is now 9.5-10%, up from the prior guidance of 8.5-10% given three months ago.

2024 guidance for non-GAAP EPS (which excludes FX and restructuring costs) is now $4.61-4.70, up from the prior guidance of $4.55-4.70 given three months ago.

2Q24 non-GAAP and GAAP EPS were $1.14 and $0.74, respectively, versus $1.08 and $0.78 in 2Q23. These YOY comparisons were adversely affected by a 56% decline in COVID-diagnostic sales, which were $102M in 2Q24 in 2Q24 vs $230M in 2Q23.

2Q24 FreeStyle Libre sales were $1.6B, +20% YoY in constant currency. FreeStyle Libre is the largest-selling medical device, ever, from any company.

Please see #msg-174774187 for a breakdown of ABT’s 2Q24 sales by business segment.

Way undervalued here

ABT 10Q due JULY18

Roche enters_the CGM market—in EU only—(for now):

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/07/09/2910036/0/en/Roche-receives-CE-Mark-for-its-AI-enabled-continuous-glucose-monitoring-solution-offering-critical-predictions-to-people-living-with-diabetes.html

This may explain why ABT and DXCM are down 2%-3% this week.

ABT launches over-the-counter CGMs:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/abbott-receives-u-fda-clearance-120000542.html
• Abbott's consumer biowearable, Lingo, is designed for general consumers who are looking to improve their overall health and wellness

• Libre Rio is designed for adults with Type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin and typically manage their diabetes through lifestyle modifications

• Both products are based on FreeStyle Libre sensing technology, the world's most widely used1 continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, pioneered by Abbott and used by about 6 million people globally ABT’s Freestyle Libre has annualized sales of ~$6B and is the largest-selling medical device in history.

ABT reports 1Q24 results—raises 2024 guidance slightly—stock sells off because ABT didn’t raise 2024 guidance to a larger degree:

https://abbott.mediaroom.com/2024-04-17-Abbott-Reports-First-Quarter-2024-Results-and-Raises-Midpoint-of-Full-Year-Guidance-Ranges

2024 guidance for organic sales growth excluding COVID diagnostics is now 8.5-10%, up from the prior guidance of 8-10%.

2024 guidance for non-GAAP EPS (which excludes FX and restructuring costs) is now $4.55-$4.70, up from the prior guidance of $4.50-4.70.

1Q24 non-GAAP and GAAP EPS were $0.98 and $0.70, respectively, versus $1.03 and $0.59 in 1Q23. The YoY decline in non-GAAP EPS was due to lower sales of COVID diagnostics, which were $204M in 1Q24 vs $730M in 1Q23.

4Q23 FreeStyle Libre sales were $1.5B, +23% YoY in constant currency. FreeStyle Libre is the largest-selling medical device, ever, from any company.

Please see #msg-174255202 for a breakdown of ABT’s 1Q24 sales by business segment.

FDA approves ABT’s TriClip device for repair tricuspid heart valve:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/abbott-receives-fda-approval-triclip-130000245.html

EW is the only other company with a similar device.

FDA clears ABT’s 15-minute test for TBI/concussion:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/abbott-receives-fda-clearance-whole-130000849.html

Note: This is not the hand-held diagnostic ABT is developing to give TBI results from a simple finger prick (#msg-172397644).

ABT new 52 week high

ABT launches adult-nutrition product_to_maintain muscle mass_for_people_on_weight-loss_drugs:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/abbott-launches-protality-brand-support-140000191.html Abbott, a global leader in science-based nutrition, announced today the launch of its new PROTALITY brand. The high-protein nutrition shake is the first product in this line to support the growing number of adults interested in pursuing weight loss while maintaining muscle mass and good nutrition.

…To preserve muscle mass during weight loss, research shows adults may need at least 50 percent more protein than the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). High protein consumption can also support weight loss maintenance. Citations for the claims in the above paragraph are in the footnotes of ABT’s press release.

Nutrition products (adult + infant) comprised 20% of ABT’s overall 4Q23 sales (#msg-173691054).

ABT 4Q23 CC transcript:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/abbott-laboratories-abt-q4-2023-181515865.html

ABT 4Q23 Results by Business Segment
%Corp YoY Growth
Segment Sales (const currency)
Medical devices* 43% +17%
Nutrition 20% +13%
Diagnostics 25% -22%†
Pharmaceuticals‡ 12% +9%61% of overall corporate sales were ex-US.

*Includes diabetes care.
‡Branded generics and biosimilars in emerging markets.

†4Q23 COVID-diagnostics sales were $288M (11% of total 4Q23 diagnostic sales) vs $1.07B in 3Q22; excluding COVID diagnostics, 4Q23 diagnostics sales were +2% YoY.

ABT reports 4Q23 results—issues 2024 guidance:

https://abbott.mediaroom.com/2024-01-24-Abbott-Reports-Fourth-Quarter-and-Full-Year-2023-Results-Issues-2024-Financial-Outlook

2024 guidance for organic sales growth excluding COVID diagnostics is 8-10%.

2024 guidance for non-GAAP EPS (which excludes FX and restructuring costs) is $4.50-4.70, -12-16% vs $5.34 in 2023. 2024 guidance for GAAP EPS is $3.20-3.40, -13-18% vs $3.91 in 2023. The expected YoY declines in non-GAAP and GAAP EPS are due to lower expected sales of COVID diagnostics, which were $1.59B in 2023.

4Q23 non-GAAP and GAAP EPS were $1.19 and $0.91, respectively, versus $1.03 and $0.59 in 4Q22. The YoY growth in EPS came despite sharply lower sales of COVID diagnostics, which were $288M in 4Q23 vs $1.07B in 4Q22.

4Q23 FreeStyle Libre sales were $1.4B, +26% YoY. FreeStyle Libre is the largest-selling medical device, ever, from any company.

Please see #msg-173691063 for a breakdown of ABT’s 4Q23 sales by business segment.

$ABT
https://x.com/hannahadad8890/status/1738578204703514799?s=61

ABT increases dividend for 52nd(!) consecutive year:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/abbott-increases-quarterly-dividend-52nd-162500327.html

The new annualized payout is $2.20, +7.8% from $2.04 in 2023, and +17% from $1.88 in 2022. At the current share price ($107.29), the new annualized payout is a yield of 2.1%.

GLP-1 effect on medical-device companies:

https://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=173203785

ABT 3Q23 CC transcript:

https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2023/10/18/abbott-laboratories-abt-q3-2023-earnings-call-tran/?source=eptyholnk0000202&utm_source=yahoo-host&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=article

ABT reports 3Q23 results—increases_midpoint_of_ 2023_EPS_ guidance:

https://abbott.mediaroom.com/2023-10-18-Abbott-Reports-Third-Quarter-2023-Results-and-Raises-Midpoint-of-Full-Year-EPS-Guidance-Range

ABT continues to expect 2023 organic sales growth (excluding COVID-diagnostic sales) in the low double digits. 3Q23 organic sales growth was 13.5%.

3Q23 GAAP and non-GAAP EPS were $0.82 and $1.14, respectively, flat versus $0.81 and $1.15 in 3Q22. The YoY flatness was due to sharply lower COVID-diagnostics revenue: $305M in 3Q23 vs $1.67B in 3Q22. (ABT now expects 2023 COVID-diagnostics sales of $1.5B, which implies ~$200M for 4Q23.)

ABT raised the midpoint and tightened the ranges for 2023 EPS guidance. The new guidance is: GAAP $3.14-3.18 (from the prior range of $3.02-3.22); and non-GAAP $4.42-4.46 (from the prior range of $4.30-4.50).

3Q23 FreeStyle Libre sales were $1.4B, +29% YoY. FreeStyle Libre is already the largest-selling medical device, ever, from any company.

Please see #msg-173045466 for a breakdown of ABT’s 3Q23 sales by business segment.

ABT inks deal to sell biosimilars in emerging markets:

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/abbott-broadens-access-to-cutting-edge-biosimilars-in-key-emerging-markets-301932956.html

This is a good fit for ABT’s “branded generics” business, which sells off-patent small-molecule drugs in emerging markets and comprises 13% of ABT’s overall sales (#msg-172393746).

ABT acquires—(private)—Bigfoot Biomedical for undisclosed price:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/abbott-acquire-bigfoot-biomedical-furthering-203000744.html Abbott and Bigfoot Biomedical today announced a definitive agreement for Abbott to acquire Bigfoot, a leader in developing smart insulin management systems for people with diabetes.

…Bigfoot developed Bigfoot Unity, a smart insulin management system that features the first and only FDA-cleared connected insulin pen caps that use integrated continuous glucose monitoring (iCGM) data along with healthcare provider instructions to provide insulin dosing recommendations. The dosing recommendations are displayed on the pen cap's digital screen to help people know how much insulin to take.

The Bigfoot Unity system exclusively works with Abbott's world-leading FreeStyle Libre technology and includes a customer smartphone app connected to a cloud-based online portal used by healthcare providers to support their patients, including through remote care. The system works with FreeStyle Libre 2 sensors and all major brands of both long-acting (basal) and rapid-acting (bolus) disposable insulin pens offered in the United States. ABT’s FreeStyle Libre has annualized sales of more than $5B and is the largest-selling medical device, ever (#msg-172393724).

Great report!!

True

That's quite an understatement!

Check out #msg-172397644.

Good report

ABT 2Q23 CC transcript:

https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2023/07/20/abbott-laboratories-abt-q2-2023-earnings-call-tran/

ABT 2Q23 Results by Business Segment
%Corp YoY Growth
Segment Sales (const currency)
Medical devices* 43% +14%
Diagnostics 23% -46%†
Nutrition 21% +10%
Branded generics 13% +13%62% of overall corporate sales were ex-US.

*Includes diabetes care.

†2Q23 COVID-diagnostics sales were $263M (11% of total 2Q23 diagnostic sales) vs $2.3B in 2Q22; excluding COVID diagnostics, 2Q23 diagnostics sales were +7% YoY.

ABT reports 2Q23 results—increases 2023 guidance_for_organic_sales_growth:

https://abbott.mediaroom.com/2023-07-20-Abbott-Reports-Second-Quarter-2023-Results-Increases-Outlook-For-Underlying-Base-Business

2Q23 GAAP and non-GAAP EPS were $0.78 and $1.08, respectively, down from $1.14 and $1.43 in 2Q22. The YoY declines were due to sharply lower COVID-diagnostics revenue: $263M in 1Q23 vs $2.3B in 2Q22. (ABT now expects 2023 COVID-diagnostics sales of $1.3B, which implies ~$300M for 2H23.)

2Q23 FreeStyle Libre sales were $1.3B, +25% YoY. FreeStyle Libre is already the largest-selling medical device, ever, from any company.

ABT’s full-year 2023 guidance is essentially unchanged from three months ago: GAAP EPS of $3.02-3.22; and non-GAAP EPS (which excludes restructuring costs and FX) of $4.30-4.50. ABT was able to retain the pre-existing guidance despite the reduced forecast for 2H23 COVID diagnostics because the 2H23 outlook for ABT’s organic (non-COVID) business has improved.

Specifically, ABT now expects 2023 organic sales growth in the low double digits, an upgrade from the guidance three months ago of “at least high dingle digits.” 2Q23 organic sales growth was 11.5%, up from 10% in 1Q23.

Please see #msg-172393746 for a breakdown of ABT’s 2Q23 sales by business segment.

Medical-device stocks (including ABT) are strong today, while health-insurance stocks (e.g. HUM) are weak. Somebody apparently just realized that elective-procedure volumes are back to pre-pandemic levels and growing.

ABT—This looks like a meritless lawsuit:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/1-abbott-labs-sued-over-213744088.html

Nevertheless, crazier lawsuits have succeeded, so an investor can’t take anything for granted when it comes to tort exposure.

ABT 1Q23 CC transcript:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/q1-2023-abbott-laboratories-earnings-043458274.html

ABT 1Q23 Results by Business Segment
%Corp YoY Growth
Segment Sales (const currency)
Medical devices* 40% +12%
Diagnostics 28% -47%†
Nutrition 20% +10%‡
Branded generics 12% +11%60% of overall corporate sales were ex-US.

*Includes diabetes care.

†1Q23 COVID-diagnostics sales were $730M (27% of total 1Q23 diagnostic sales); excluding COVID diagnostics, diagnostics sales were +4% YoY.

‡Excluding effect of small divestiture; including the divestiture, nutrition sales were +6% YoY.

ABT reports 1Q23 results—slightly increases 2023 guidance:

https://abbott.mediaroom.com/2023-04-19-Abbott-Reports-First-Quarter-2023-Results-Increases-Outlook-For-Underlying-Base-Business

1Q23 GAAP and non-GAAP EPS were $0.75 and $1.03, respectively, down from $1.37 and $1.73 in 1Q22. The reason for the decline is, of course, falling COVID-diagnostics revenue, which was $730M in 1Q23 vs $3.3B in 1Q22.

1Q23 FreeStyle Libre sales were $1.2B, +9% QoQ and +20% YoY (+50% YoY in the US).

ABT reiterated full-year 2023 guidance from three months ago: GAAP EPS of $3.05-3.25; and non-GAAP EPS (which excludes restructuring costs and FX) of $4.30-4.50.

ABT now expects 2023 COVID-diagnostics sales of $1.5B (i.e. $770M for the remaining nine months of the year, only slightly above the $730M logged in 1Q23).

Excluding COVID diagnostics, ABT expect 2023 organic sales growth of “at least high dingle digits,” which is a subtle word change from three months ago when the phrase “at least” was not in the guidance language. In 1Q23, organic sales growth excluding COVID diagnostics was 10.0%.

The stock is +7% as I’m typing. Investors are evidently impressed with ABT’s ability to maintain—and subtly increase (see above)—2023 guidance despite the steep falloff in COVID sales.

FreeStyle Libre gets expanded Medicare coverage:

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/abbotts-freestyle-libre-continuous-glucose-monitoring-systems-obtain-significantly-expanded-coverage-for-medicare-beneficiaries-301798550.html

FDA clears ABT's standalone glucose reader from FreestyleLibre:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fda-clears-reader-abbotts-freestyle-130000671.html Abbott today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared a reader for its FreeStyle Libre 3 integrated continuous glucose monitoring (iCGM) system, which features the world's smallest, thinnest and most discreet glucose sensor. With the FDA's clearance of a standalone reader, Abbott is working to get the FreeStyle Libre 3 system added to Medicare's list of covered systems as soon as possible.

FDA enables_integration_of FreeStyle Libre with automated insulin delivery systems:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/u-fda-clears-abbotts-freestyle-120000948.html Abbott today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared its FreeStyle Libre 2 and FreeStyle Libre 3 integrated continuous glucose monitoring (iCGM) system sensors for integration with automated insulin delivery (AID) systems.

…AID systems help people manage daily diabetes care by automatically adjusting and administering the insulin delivered by an insulin pump based on real-time glucose data from their FreeStyle Libre 2 or FreeStyle Libre 3 sensors.

Abbott is working with leading insulin pump manufacturers to integrate their systems with the FreeStyle Libre 2 and FreeStyle Libre 3 sensors as soon as possible. The company is partnering with Insulet and Tandem for future integrations in multiple countries, including the U.S. Outside the U.S., Abbott's FreeStyle Libre 3 sensor is already authorized to work with the mylife Loop solution from Ypsomed and CamDiab in Germany, with additional launches in the UK, Switzerland and the Netherlands planned for the first half of this year. FreeStyle Libre, already the biggest-selling medical device from any company, is projected to reach $10B(!) in annual sales during the next five yeaqrs, according to ABT’s statement at the JPM conference in January 2023 (#msg-170908089). Current annual sales are more than $4B.

ABT TriClip (tricuspid-value clip) highlighted_at ACC…

NYT story (Gina Kolata):
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/04/health/tricuspid-valve-clip-leakage.html

ABT’s own PR:
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/data-show-superiority-abbotts-triclip-154100517.html

ABT acquires CSII for $20/sh cash—a 50% premium to today’s closing price:• Abbott will gain an innovative, complementary solution in treating vascular disease through CSI's leading atherectomy system, which prepares vessels for angioplasty or stenting to restore blood flow

• CSI's offering will support Abbott's ability to provide better care for patients with peripheral and coronary artery disease The nominal deal value is $890M. Closing requires approval of CSII’s shareholders, but that’s a fait accompli.

The Medical Devices business segment is ABT’s largest, accounting for 37% of corporate sales in 4Q22 (#msg-171028943).

ABT’s 2023 financial guidance remains unchanged—see #msg-171028771 for details.

ABT reports 4Q22 results—issues 2023 guidance:

https://abbott.mediaroom.com/2023-01-25-Abbott-Reports-Fourth-Quarter-and-Full-Year-2022-Results-Issues-2023-Financial-Outlook

2023 GAAP EPS guidance is $3.05-3.25, -19% YoY at the midpoint of the range. 2023 non-GAAP EPS guidance (which excludes restructuring costs and FX) is $4.30-4.50, -18% YoY at the midpoint of the range.

The reason 2023 guidance is below 2022 results for both GAAP and non-GAAP EPS is, of course, declining COVID-diagnostics revenue. In 2022, ABT sold $8.4B of COVID diagnostics, but 2023 guidance is only $2.0B as testing volume has fallen off rapidly from the peak of the pandemic.

On a positive note, 4Q22 Freestyle Libre sales were $1.1B, including a 40% YoY increase in the US market.

Excluding COVID diagnostics, ABT expects 2023 organic sales growth in the high dingle digits.

ABT CEO at JPM: “Libre will become a $10B product in the next 5 years.”

I.e., Libre is almost certain to be the biggest-selling medical device, ever.

ABT increases dividend for 51st(!) consecutive year:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/abbott-increases-quarterly-dividend-marking-154800419.html

The new annualized payout is $2.04, up from $1.88 (an 8.5% bump). At the current share price ($107.84), the new payout is a yield of 1.9%.