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ABBOTT LABORATORIES - Quarter Report: 2022 March (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2022

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                   to                  

Commission File No. 1-2189

ABBOTT LABORATORIES

An Illinois Corporation

    

I.R.S. Employer Identification No.

36-0698440

100 Abbott Park Road

Abbott ParkIllinois 60064-6400

Telephone:  (224) 667-6100

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class

    

Trading Symbol(s)

    

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Shares, Without Par Value

ABT

New York Stock Exchange
Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (l) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of l934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 229.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer

    

Accelerated Filer

Non-Accelerated Filer

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No

As of March 31, 2022, Abbott Laboratories had 1,750,942,289 common shares without par value outstanding.

Table of Contents

Abbott Laboratories

Table of Contents

Part I - Financial Information

Page

Item 1. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings

3

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

4

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

5

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Investment

6

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

7

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

8

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

19

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

24

Part II - Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

24

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

25

Item 6. Exhibits

26

Signature

27

2

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Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings

(Unaudited)

(dollars in millions except per share data; shares in thousands)

Three Months Ended

March 31 

    

2022

    

2021

Net sales

$

11,895

$

10,456

Cost of products sold, excluding amortization of intangible assets

 

4,987

 

4,401

Amortization of intangible assets

 

512

 

509

Research and development

 

697

 

654

Selling, general and administrative

 

2,787

 

2,783

Total operating cost and expenses

 

8,983

 

8,347

Operating earnings

 

2,912

 

2,109

Interest expense

 

131

 

135

Interest (income)

 

(14)

 

(11)

Net foreign exchange (gain) loss

 

(3)

 

3

Other (income) expense, net

 

(78)

 

(61)

Earnings before taxes

 

2,876

 

2,043

Taxes on earnings

 

429

 

250

Net Earnings

$

2,447

$

1,793

Basic Earnings Per Common Share

$

1.38

$

1.00

Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

$

1.37

$

1.00

Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding Used for Basic Earnings Per Common Share

 

1,761,911

 

1,776,842

Dilutive Common Stock Options

 

12,631

 

14,661

Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding Plus Dilutive Common Stock Options

 

1,774,542

 

1,791,503

Outstanding Common Stock Options Having No Dilutive Effect

2,655

 

2,694

The accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

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Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

(dollars in millions)

Three Months Ended

March 31 

    

2022

    

2021

Net Earnings

$

2,447

$

1,793

Foreign currency translation gain (loss) adjustments

 

(106)

 

(536)

Net actuarial gains (losses) and amortization of net actuarial (losses) and prior service (costs) and credits, net of taxes of $13 in 2022 and $18 in 2021

 

62

 

85

Net gains (losses) for derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, net of taxes of $(15) in 2022 and $46 in 2021

 

(56)

 

112

Other comprehensive income (loss)

(100)

(339)

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

$

2,347

$

1,454

March 31,

December 31,

2022

2021

Supplemental Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Information, net of tax:

Cumulative foreign currency translation (loss) adjustments

$

(5,945)

$

(5,839)

Net actuarial (losses) and prior service (costs) and credits

 

(2,608)

 

(2,670)

Cumulative gains (losses) on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges

 

79

 

135

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

$

(8,474)

$

(8,374)

The accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

4

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Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

(Unaudited)

(dollars in millions)

March 31, 

December 31, 

    

2022

    

2021

Assets

Current Assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

7,675

$

9,799

Short-term investments

483

450

Trade receivables, less allowances of $640 in 2022 and $519 in 2021

 

7,179

 

6,487

Inventories:

Finished products

 

3,470

 

3,081

Work in process

 

695

 

694

Materials

 

1,526

 

1,382

Total inventories

 

5,691

 

5,157

Prepaid expenses and other receivables

 

2,401

 

2,346

Total Current Assets

 

23,429

 

24,239

Investments

 

763

 

816

Property and equipment, at cost

19,521

19,364

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

10,613

 

10,405

Net property and equipment

 

8,908

 

8,959

Intangible assets, net of amortization

 

12,225

 

12,739

Goodwill

 

23,179

 

23,231

Deferred income taxes and other assets

 

5,503

 

5,212

$

74,007

$

75,196

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Investment

Current Liabilities:

    

    

Trade accounts payable

$

4,757

$

4,408

Salaries, wages and commissions

 

1,147

 

1,625

Other accrued liabilities

 

5,577

 

5,181

Dividends payable

 

824

 

831

Income taxes payable

 

338

 

306

Current portion of long-term debt

 

4

 

754

Total Current Liabilities

 

12,647

 

13,105

Long-term debt

 

17,086

 

17,296

Post-employment obligations, deferred income taxes and other long-term liabilities

 

8,645

 

8,771

Commitments and Contingencies

Shareholders’ Investment:

Preferred shares, one dollar par value Authorized — 1,000,000 shares, none issued

 

 

Common shares, without par value Authorized — 2,400,000,000 shares
Issued at stated capital amount — Shares: 2022: 1,985,525,053; 2021: 1,985,273,421

 

24,304

 

24,470

Common shares held in treasury, at cost — Shares: 2022: 234,582,764; 2021: 221,191,228

 

(13,726)

 

(11,822)

Earnings employed in the business

 

33,295

 

31,528

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(8,474)

 

(8,374)

Total Abbott Shareholders’ Investment

 

35,399

 

35,802

Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries

 

230

 

222

Total Shareholders’ Investment

 

35,629

 

36,024

$

74,007

$

75,196

The accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

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Table of Contents

Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Investment

(Unaudited)

(in millions except shares and per share data)

Three Months Ended March 31

    

2022

    

2021

Common Shares:

Balance at January 1

Shares: 2022: 1,985,273,421; 2021: 1,981,156,896

$

24,470

$

24,145

Issued under incentive stock programs

  

  

Shares: 2022: 251,632; 2021: 1,048,595

 

14

 

47

Share-based compensation

 

324

 

304

Issuance of restricted stock awards

 

(504)

 

(473)

Balance at March 31 

  

  

Shares: 2022: 1,985,525,053; 2021: 1,982,205,491

$

24,304

$

24,023

Common Shares Held in Treasury:

Balance at January 1

Shares: 2022: 221,191,228; 2021: 209,926,622

$

(11,822)

$

(10,042)

Issued under incentive stock programs

  

  

Shares: 2022: 4,144,476; 2021: 4,818,787

223

 

231

Purchased

 

  

Shares: 2022: 17,536,012; 2021: 277,508

 

(2,127)

 

(34)

Balance at March 31 

  

  

Shares: 2022: 234,582,764; 2021: 205,385,343

$

(13,726)

$

(9,845)

Earnings Employed in the Business:

Balance at January 1

$

31,528

$

27,627

Net earnings

 

2,447

 

1,793

Cash dividends declared on common shares (per share — 2022: $0.47; 2021: $0.45)

 

(826)

 

(803)

Effect of common and treasury share transactions

 

146

 

52

Balance at March 31 

$

33,295

$

28,669

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):

Balance at January 1

$

(8,374)

$

(8,946)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(100)

 

(339)

Balance at March 31 

$

(8,474)

$

(9,285)

Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries:

Balance at January 1

$

222

$

219

Noncontrolling Interests’ share of income, business combinations, net of distributions and share repurchases

 

8

 

7

Balance at March 31 

$

230

$

226

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

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Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(dollars in millions)

Three Months Ended March 31 

    

2022

    

2021

Cash Flow From (Used in) Operating Activities:

Net earnings

$

2,447

$

1,793

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash from operating activities —

Depreciation

 

311

 

425

Amortization of intangible assets

 

512

 

509

Share-based compensation

 

305

 

288

Trade receivables

 

(751)

 

165

Inventories

 

(554)

 

(537)

Other, net

(205)

(6)

Net Cash From Operating Activities

2,065

2,637

Cash Flow From (Used in) Investing Activities:

Acquisitions of property and equipment

 

(321)

 

(397)

Acquisitions of businesses and technologies, net of cash acquired

 

 

(15)

Sales (purchases) of other investment securities, net

(41)

(14)

Other

 

2

 

4

Net Cash (Used in) Investing Activities

 

(360)

 

(422)

Cash Flow From (Used in) Financing Activities:

Net borrowings (repayments) of short-term debt and other

8

24

Repayments of long-term debt

 

(751)

 

(2)

Purchases of common shares

 

(2,307)

 

(275)

Proceeds from stock options exercised

 

59

 

86

Dividends paid

 

(832)

 

(800)

Net Cash (Used in) Financing Activities

 

(3,823)

 

(967)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

(6)

 

(32)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

(2,124)

 

1,216

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year

 

9,799

 

6,838

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period

$

7,675

$

8,054

The accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

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Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 31, 2022

(Unaudited)

Note 1 — Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited, condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and, therefore, do not include all information and footnote disclosures normally included in audited financial statements. However, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal adjustments) necessary to present fairly the results of operations, financial position and cash flows have been made. It is suggested that these statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in Abbott’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the parent company and subsidiaries, after elimination of intercompany transactions.

Note 2 — Revenue

Abbott’s revenues are derived primarily from the sale of a broad line of health care products under short-term receivable arrangements. Abbott has four reportable segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices.

The following table provides detail by sales category:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021

(in millions)

    

U.S.

    

Int’l

    

Total

    

U.S.

    

Int’l

    

Total

Established Pharmaceutical Products —

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Key Emerging Markets

$

$

902

$

902

$

$

821

$

821

Other

 

 

245

 

245

 

 

249

249

Total

 

 

1,147

 

1,147

 

 

1,070

1,070

Nutritionals —

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pediatric Nutritionals

 

338

 

509

 

847

 

508

 

558

 

1,066

Adult Nutritionals

 

339

 

708

 

1,047

 

328

 

642

 

970

Total

 

677

 

1,217

 

1,894

 

836

 

1,200

 

2,036

Diagnostics —

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core Laboratory

 

268

 

916

 

1,184

 

271

 

911

 

1,182

Molecular

 

172

 

248

 

420

 

175

 

272

 

447

Point of Care

 

91

 

37

 

128

 

92

 

37

 

129

Rapid Diagnostics

 

2,210

 

1,344

 

3,554

 

1,103

 

1,153

 

2,256

Total

 

2,741

 

2,545

 

5,286

 

1,641

 

2,373

 

4,014

Medical Devices —

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rhythm Management

 

248

 

276

 

524

 

241

 

278

 

519

Electrophysiology

 

216

 

269

 

485

 

179

 

252

 

431

Heart Failure

 

167

 

54

 

221

 

145

 

49

 

194

Vascular

 

209

 

410

 

619

 

219

 

416

 

635

Structural Heart

 

190

 

221

 

411

 

169

 

208

 

377

Neuromodulation

 

143

 

36

 

179

 

145

 

39

 

184

Diabetes Care

343

783

1,126

253

727

980

Total

 

1,516

 

2,049

 

3,565

 

1,351

 

1,969

 

3,320

Other

 

3

 

 

3

 

10

 

6

 

16

Total

$

4,937

$

6,958

$

11,895

$

3,838

$

6,618

$

10,456

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Note 2 — Revenue (Continued)

Remaining Performance Obligations

As of March 31, 2022, the estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) was approximately $3.8 billion in the Diagnostics segment and approximately $428 million in the Medical Devices segment. Abbott expects to recognize revenue on approximately 60 percent of these remaining performance obligations over the next 24 months, approximately 16 percent over the subsequent 12 months and the remainder thereafter.

These performance obligations primarily reflect the future sale of reagents/consumables in contracts with minimum purchase obligations, extended warranty or service obligations related to previously sold equipment, and remote monitoring services related to previously implanted devices. Abbott has applied the practical expedient described in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606-10-50-14 and has not included remaining performance obligations related to contracts with original expected durations of one year or less in the amounts above.

Other Contract Assets and Liabilities

Abbott discloses Trade receivables separately in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at the net amount expected to be collected. Contract assets primarily relate to Abbott’s conditional right to consideration for work completed but not billed at the reporting date. Contract assets at the beginning and end of the period, as well as the changes in the balance, were not significant.

Contract liabilities primarily relate to payments received from customers in advance of performance under the contract. Abbott’s contract liabilities arise primarily in the Medical Devices reportable segment when payment is received upfront for various multi-period extended service arrangements.

Changes in the contract liabilities during the period are as follows:

(in millions)

    

Contract Liabilities:

Balance at December 31, 2021

$

520

Unearned revenue from cash received during the period

171

Revenue recognized related to contract liability balance

(178)

Balance at March 31, 2022

$

513

Note 3 — Supplemental Financial Information

Shares of unvested restricted stock that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends are treated as participating securities and are included in the computation of earnings per share under the two-class method. Under the two-class method, net earnings are allocated between common shares and participating securities. Net earnings allocated to common shares for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were $2.438 billion and $1.785 billion, respectively.

Other, net in Net cash from operating activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the first three months of 2022 includes $334 million of pension contributions and the payment of cash taxes of approximately $195 million. The first three months of 2021 includes $16 million of pension contributions and the payment of cash taxes of approximately $270 million.

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Note 3 — Supplemental Financial Information (Continued)

The following summarizes the activity for the first three months of 2022 related to the allowance for doubtful accounts as of March 31, 2022:

(in millions)

    

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:

Balance at December 31, 2021

$

313

Provisions/charges to income

3

Amounts charged off and other deductions

 

(15)

Balance at March 31, 2022

$

301

The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects the current estimate of credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the accounts receivable. Abbott considers various factors in establishing, monitoring, and adjusting its allowance for doubtful accounts, including the aging of the accounts and aging trends, the historical level of charge-offs, and specific exposures related to particular customers. Abbott also monitors other risk factors and forward-looking information, such as country risk, when determining credit limits for customers and establishing adequate allowances.

The components of long-term investments as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 are as follows:

March 31, 

December 31, 

(in millions)

    

2022

    

2021

Long-term Investments:

Equity securities

$

703

$

748

Other

 

60

 

68

Total

$

763

$

816

The decrease in Abbott’s long-term investments as of March 31, 2022 versus the balance as of December 31, 2021 primarily relates to a decrease in the value of investments held in a rabbi trust.

Abbott’s equity securities as of March 31, 2022, include $357 million of investments in mutual funds that are held in a rabbi trust and were acquired as part of the St. Jude Medical, Inc. (St. Jude Medical) business acquisition. These investments, which are specifically designated as available for the purpose of paying benefits under a deferred compensation plan, are not available for general corporate purposes and are subject to creditor claims in the event of insolvency.

Abbott also holds certain investments as of March 31, 2022 with a carrying value of $244 million that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting and other equity investments with a carrying value of $92 million that do not have a readily determinable fair value.

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Note 4 — Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes, are as follows:

Three Months Ended March 31 

Cumulative Gains (Losses)

Cumulative Foreign

Net Actuarial (Losses) and

on Derivative Instruments

Currency Translation

 Prior Service (Costs) and

Designated as Cash Flow

Adjustments

 Credits

Hedges

(in millions)

    

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

Balance at January 1

$

(5,839)

$

(4,859)

$

(2,670)

$

(3,871)

$

135

$

(216)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 

(106)

 

(536)

17

 

22

 

(34)

 

96

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

 

45

 

63

 

(22)

 

16

Net current period comprehensive income (loss)

 

(106)

 

(536)

 

62

 

85

 

(56)

 

112

Balance at March 31 

$

(5,945)

$

(5,395)

$

(2,608)

$

(3,786)

$

79

$

(104)

(Income) loss amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income related to cash flow hedges are recorded as Cost of products sold. Net actuarial losses and prior service cost are included as a component of net periodic benefit costs; see Note 11 for additional details.

Note 5 — Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The total amount of goodwill reported was $23.2 billion at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. Foreign currency translation adjustments decreased goodwill by approximately $50 million in the first three months of 2022. The amount of goodwill related to reportable segments at March 31, 2022 was $2.8 billion for the Established Pharmaceutical Products segment, $286 million for the Nutritional Products segment, $3.7 billion for the Diagnostic Products segment, and $16.4 billion for the Medical Devices segment. There was no reduction of goodwill relating to impairments in the first three months of 2022.

The gross amount of amortizable intangible assets, primarily product rights and technology, was $27.7 billion as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 and accumulated amortization was $16.4 billion as of March 31, 2022 and $15.9 billion as of December 31, 2021. Foreign currency translation adjustments increased intangible assets by $3 million in the first three months of 2022. Abbott’s estimated annual amortization expense for intangible assets is approximately $2.1 billion in 2022, $2.0 billion in 2023, $1.9 billion in 2024, $1.7 billion in 2025 and $1.6 billion in 2026.

Indefinite-lived intangible assets, which relate to in-process R&D (IPR&D) acquired in a business combination, were approximately $919 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021.

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Note 6 — Restructuring Plans

On May 27, 2021, Abbott management approved a restructuring plan related to its Diagnostic Products segment to align its manufacturing network for COVID-19 diagnostic tests with changes in the second quarter in projected testing demand driven by several factors, including significant reductions in cases in the U.S. and other major developed countries, the accelerated rollout of COVID-19 vaccines globally and the U.S. health authority’s updated guidance on testing for fully vaccinated individuals. In the second quarter of 2021, Abbott recorded charges of $499 million under this plan in Cost of products sold. The charge recognized in the second quarter included fixed asset write-downs of $80 million, inventory-related charges of $248 million, and other exit costs, which included contract cancellations and employee-related costs of $171 million.

In the second half of 2021, as the Delta and Omicron variants of COVID-19 spread and the number of new COVID-19 cases increased significantly, particularly in the U.S., demand for rapid COVID-19 tests increased significantly. As a result, in the second half of 2021, Abbott sold approximately $181 million of inventory that was previously estimated to have no net realizable value under the second quarter of 2021 restructuring action. In addition, the estimate of other exit costs was reduced by a net $58 million as Abbott fulfilled its purchase obligations under certain contracts for which a liability was recorded in the second quarter or Abbott settled with the counterparty in the second half of 2021.

The following summarizes the activity related to this restructuring action and the status of the related accruals as of March 31, 2022:

Inventory-

Related

Fixed Asset

Other Exit

(in millions)

    

Charges

    

Write-Downs

    

Costs

    

Total

Restructuring charges recorded in 2021

$

248

$

80

$

113

$

441

Payments

 

 

 

(90)

 

(90)

Other non-cash

 

(248)

 

(80)

 

 

(328)

Accrued balance at December 31, 2021

23

23

Payments and other adjustments

(3)

(3)

Accrued balance at March 31, 2022

$

$

$

20

$

20

In 2021, Abbott management approved plans to streamline operations in order to reduce costs and improve efficiencies in Abbott’s diagnostics, established pharmaceuticals, nutritional, and medical devices businesses. Abbott recorded employee-related severance and other charges of approximately $68 million in 2021 of which approximately $16 million was recorded in Cost of products sold, approximately $4 million was recorded in Research and development, and approximately $48 million was recorded in Selling, general and administrative expense.

The following summarizes the activity for these restructurings:

(in millions)

    

Restructuring charges

$

68

Payments and other adjustments

(7)

Accrued balance at December 31, 2021

61

Payments and other adjustments

(16)

Accrued balance at March 31, 2022

$

45

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Note 7 — Incentive Stock Programs

In the first three months of 2022, Abbott granted 2,594,059 stock options, 514,148 restricted stock awards and 5,303,072 restricted stock units under its incentive stock program. At March 31, 2022, approximately 86 million shares were reserved for future grants. Information regarding the number of options outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2022 is as follows:

    

Outstanding

    

Exercisable

Number of shares

 

 

29,479,237

 

23,547,781

Weighted average remaining life (years)

 

 

5.9

 

5.1

Weighted average exercise price

 

$

69.87

$

59.23

Aggregate intrinsic value (in millions)

 

$

1,445

$

1,397

The total unrecognized share-based compensation cost at March 31, 2022 amounted to approximately $825 million which is expected to be recognized over the next three years.

Note 8 — Debt and Lines of Credit

On March 15, 2022, Abbott repaid the $750 million outstanding principal amount of its 2.55% Notes due 2022 upon maturity.

Note 9 — Financial Instruments, Derivatives and Fair Value Measures

Certain Abbott foreign subsidiaries enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage exposures to changes in foreign exchange rates primarily for anticipated intercompany purchases by those subsidiaries whose functional currencies are not the U.S. dollar. These contracts, with gross notional amounts totaling $8.5 billion at March 31, 2022 and $8.6 billion at December 31, 2021 are designated as cash flow hedges of the variability of the cash flows due to changes in foreign exchange rates and are recorded at fair value. Accumulated gains and losses as of March 31, 2022 will be included in Cost of products sold at the time the products are sold, generally through the next twelve to eighteen months.

Abbott enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage currency exposures for foreign currency denominated third-party trade payables and receivables, and for intercompany loans and trade accounts payable where the receivable or payable is denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity. For intercompany loans, the contracts require Abbott to sell or buy foreign currencies, primarily European currencies, in exchange for primarily U.S. dollars and other European currencies. For intercompany and trade payables and receivables, the currency exposures are primarily the U.S. dollar and European currencies. At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, Abbott held the gross notional amount of $12.2 billion of such foreign currency forward exchange contracts.

Abbott has designated a yen-denominated, 5-year term loan of approximately $491 million and $521 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, as a hedge of the net investment in certain foreign subsidiaries. The change in the value of the debt, which is due to changes in foreign exchange rates, is recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax.

Abbott is a party to interest rate hedge contracts totaling approximately $2.9 billion at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 to manage its exposure to changes in the fair value of fixed-rate debt. These contracts are designated as fair value hedges of the variability of the fair value of fixed-rate debt due to changes in the long-term benchmark interest rates. The effect of the hedge is to change a fixed-rate interest obligation to a variable rate for that portion of the debt. Abbott records the contracts at fair value and adjusts the carrying amount of the fixed-rate debt by an offsetting amount.

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Note 9 — Financial Instruments, Derivatives and Fair Value Measures (Continued)

The following table summarizes the amounts and location of certain derivative financial instruments as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021:

Fair Value - Assets

Fair Value - Liabilities

March 31,

Dec. 31,

March 31,

Dec. 31,

    

(in millions)

    

2022

    

2021

    

Balance Sheet Caption

    

2022

    

2021

    

Balance Sheet Caption

Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges

$

 

$

87

 

Deferred income taxes and other assets

 

$

34

 

$

 

Post-employment obligations, deferred income taxes and other long-term liabilities

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts:

Hedging instruments

 

204

 

222

 

Prepaid expenses and other receivables

 

183

 

65

 

Other accrued liabilities

Others not designated as hedges

 

149

 

70

 

Prepaid expenses and other receivables

 

93

 

32

 

Other accrued liabilities

Debt designated as a hedge of net investment in a foreign subsidiary

n/a

491

521

Long-term debt

$

353

 

$

379

 

$

801

 

$

618

The following table summarizes the activity for foreign currency forward exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges and certain other derivative financial instruments, as well as the amounts and location of income (expense) and gain (loss) reclassified into income for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.

Gain (loss) Recognized in

Income (expense) and

Other Comprehensive

Gain (loss) Reclassified

Income (loss)

into Income

(in millions)

    

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

    

Income Statement Caption

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges

$

(49)

$

134

$

27

$

(23)

Cost of products sold

Debt designated as a hedge of net investment in a foreign subsidiary

 

30

 

35

 

 

 

n/a

Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

(121)

 

(69)

 

Interest expense

Losses of $51 million and gains of $49 million were recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, related to foreign currency forward exchange contracts not designated as a hedge. These amounts are reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings on the Net foreign exchange (gain) loss line.

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Note 9 — Financial Instruments, Derivatives and Fair Value Measures (Continued)

The carrying values and fair values of certain financial instruments as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 are shown in the following table. The carrying values of all other financial instruments approximate their estimated fair values. The counterparties to financial instruments consist of select major international financial institutions. Abbott does not expect any losses from non-performance by these counterparties.

March 31, 2022

December 31, 2021

    

Carrying

    

Fair

    

Carrying

    

Fair

(in millions)

Value

Value

Value

Value

Long-term Investment Securities:

 

 

Equity securities

$

703

$

703

$

748

$

748

Other

 

60

 

60

 

68

 

68

Total long-term debt

(17,090)

(18,704)

(18,050)

(21,152)

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts:

 

 

 

Receivable position

 

353

 

353

 

292

 

292

(Payable) position

(276)

(276)

(97)

(97)

Interest Rate Hedge Contracts:

 

 

 

 

Receivable position

87

87

(Payable) position

(34)

(34)

The fair value of the debt was determined based on significant other observable inputs, including current interest rates.

The following table summarizes the bases used to measure certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis in the balance sheet:

Basis of Fair Value Measurement

Quoted

Significant

Prices in

Other

Significant

Outstanding

Active

Observable

Unobservable

(in millions)

    

Balances

    

Markets

    

Inputs

    

Inputs

March 31, 2022:

Equity securities

$

367

$

367

 

$

 

$

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

 

353

 

 

353

 

Total Assets

$

720

 

$

367

 

$

353

 

$

Fair value of hedged long-term debt

$

2,805

$

 

$

2,805

 

$

Interest rate swap derivative financial instruments

34

34

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

276

276

Contingent consideration related to business combinations

 

134

 

 

 

134

Total Liabilities

$

3,249

 

$

 

$

3,115

$

134

December 31, 2021:

Equity securities

$

402

 

$

402

 

$

 

$

Interest rate swap derivative financial instruments

 

87

 

 

87

 

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

 

292

 

 

292

 

Total Assets

$

781

 

$

402

 

$

379

 

$

Fair value of hedged long-term debt

$

2,926

 

$

 

$

2,926

 

$

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

 

97

 

 

97

 

Contingent consideration related to business combinations

 

130

 

 

 

130

Total Liabilities

$

3,153

 

$

 

$

3,023

 

$

130

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Note 9 — Financial Instruments, Derivatives and Fair Value Measures (Continued)

The fair value of foreign currency forward exchange contracts is determined using a market approach, which utilizes values for comparable derivative instruments. The fair value of debt was determined based on the face value of the debt adjusted for the fair value of the interest rate swaps, which is based on a discounted cash flow analysis using significant other observable inputs. The fair value of the contingent consideration was determined based on independent appraisals at the time of acquisition, adjusted for the time value of money and other changes in fair value.

Note 10 — Litigation and Environmental Matters

Abbott has been identified as a potentially responsible party for investigation and cleanup costs at a number of locations in the United States and Puerto Rico under federal and state remediation laws and is investigating potential contamination at a number of company-owned locations. Abbott has recorded an estimated cleanup cost for each site for which management believes Abbott has a probable loss exposure. No individual site cleanup exposure is expected to exceed $4 million, and the aggregate cleanup exposure is not expected to exceed $10 million.

Abbott is involved in various claims and legal proceedings, and Abbott estimates the range of possible loss for its legal proceedings and environmental exposures to be from approximately $30 million to $45 million. The recorded accrual balance at March 31, 2022 for these proceedings and exposures was approximately $40 million. This accrual represents management’s best estimate of probable loss, as defined by FASB ASC No. 450, “Contingencies.” Within the next year, legal proceedings may occur that may result in a change in the estimated loss accrued by Abbott. While it is not feasible to predict the outcome of all such proceedings and exposures with certainty, management believes that their ultimate disposition should not have a material adverse effect on Abbott’s financial position, cash flows, or results of operations.

Note 11 — Post-Employment Benefits

Retirement plans consist of defined benefit, defined contribution, and medical and dental plans. Net periodic benefit costs, other than service costs, are recognized in the Other (income) expense, net line of the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings. Net cost recognized for the three months ended March 31 for Abbott’s major defined benefit plans and post-employment medical and dental benefit plans is as follows:

Defined Benefit Plans

Medical and Dental Plans

March 31,

March 31,

March 31,

March 31,

(in millions)

    

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

Service cost — benefits earned during the period

$

96

$

100

$

13

$

14

Interest cost on projected benefit obligations

 

76

 

62

 

10

 

8

Expected return on plan assets

 

(236)

 

(211)

 

(7)

 

(7)

Net amortization of:

Actuarial loss, net

 

59

 

81

 

5

 

7

Prior service cost (credit)

 

 

 

(6)

 

(7)

Net cost (credit)

$

(5)

$

32

$

15

$

15

Abbott funds its domestic defined benefit plans according to Internal Revenue Service funding limitations. International pension plans are funded according to similar regulations. In the first three months of 2022 and 2021, $334 million and $16 million, respectively, were contributed to defined benefit plans. Contributions made to post-employment medical and dental plans in the first three months of 2022 were $28 million. No contributions were made to the post-employment medical and dental plans in the first three months of 2021.

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Note 12 — Taxes on Earnings

Taxes on earnings reflect the estimated annual effective rates and include charges for interest and penalties. In the first three months of 2022 and 2021, taxes on earnings include approximately $30 million and $80 million, respectively, in excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation. In the first three months of 2022, taxes on earnings also include approximately $30 million of tax expense as the result of the resolution of various tax positions related to prior years.

Tax authorities in various jurisdictions regularly review Abbott’s income tax filings. Abbott believes that it is reasonably possible that the recorded amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits may decrease approximately $70 million to $80 million, including cash adjustments, within the next twelve months as a result of concluding various domestic and international tax matters.

Note 13 — Segment Information

Abbott’s principal business is the discovery, development, manufacture and sale of a broad line of health care products. Abbott’s products are generally sold directly to retailers, wholesalers, hospitals, health care facilities, laboratories, physicians’ offices and government agencies throughout the world.

Abbott’s reportable segments are as follows:

Established Pharmaceutical Products — International sales of a broad line of branded generic pharmaceutical products.

Nutritional Products — Worldwide sales of a broad line of adult and pediatric nutritional products.

Diagnostic Products — Worldwide sales of diagnostic systems and tests for blood banks, hospitals, commercial laboratories, physicians’ offices and alternate-care testing sites. For segment reporting purposes, the Core Laboratory Diagnostics, Rapid Diagnostics, Molecular Diagnostics and Point of Care Diagnostics divisions are aggregated and reported as the Diagnostic Products segment.

Medical Devices — Worldwide sales of rhythm management, electrophysiology, heart failure, vascular, structural heart, neuromodulation and diabetes care products. For segment reporting purposes, the Cardiac Rhythm Management, Electrophysiology, Heart Failure, Vascular, Structural Heart, Neuromodulation and Diabetes Care divisions are aggregated and reported as the Medical Devices segment.

Abbott’s underlying accounting records are maintained on a legal entity basis for government and public reporting requirements. Segment disclosures are on a performance basis consistent with internal management reporting. The cost of some corporate functions and the cost of certain employee benefits are charged to segments at predetermined rates that approximate cost. Remaining costs, if any, are not allocated to segments. In addition, intangible asset amortization is not allocated to operating segments, and intangible assets and goodwill are not included in the measure of each segment’s assets.

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Note 13 — Segment Information (Continued)

The following segment information has been prepared in accordance with the internal accounting policies of Abbott, as described above, and is not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Three Months Ended March 31

Net Sales to

Operating

External Customers

Earnings

(in millions)

    

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

Established Pharmaceutical Products

$

1,147

$

1,070

$

242

$

169

Nutritional Products

 

1,894

 

2,036

 

251

 

467

Diagnostic Products

 

5,286

 

4,014

 

2,569

 

1,701

Medical Devices

 

3,565

 

3,320

 

1,078

 

1,007

Total Reportable Segments

 

11,892

 

10,440

 

4,140

 

3,344

Other

 

3

 

16

Net sales

$

11,895

$

10,456

Corporate functions and benefit plans costs

(114)

(114)

Net interest expense

(117)

(124)

Share-based compensation (a)

(305)

(288)

Amortization of intangible assets

(512)

(509)

Other, net (b)

(216)

(266)

Earnings before taxes

$

2,876

$

2,043

(a)Approximately 45 percent of the annual net cost of share-based awards will typically be recognized in the first quarter due to the timing of the granting of share-based awards.
(b)Other, net for the three months ended March 31, 2022 includes $120 million of charges related to a voluntary recall within the Nutritional Products segment. Other, net for the three months ended March 31, 2021 includes net costs related to certain litigation. Other, net for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 also includes integration costs associated with the acquisitions of St. Jude Medical and Alere Inc., and restructuring charges.

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Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Financial Review - Results of Operations

Abbott’s revenues are derived primarily from the sale of a broad line of health care products under short-term receivable arrangements. Patent protection and licenses, technological and performance features, and inclusion of Abbott’s products under a contract most impact which products are sold; price controls, competition and rebates most impact the net selling prices of products; and foreign currency translation impacts the measurement of net sales and costs. Abbott’s primary products are medical devices, diagnostic testing products, nutritional products and branded generic pharmaceuticals.

The following table details sales by reportable segment for the three months ended March 31. Percent changes are versus the prior year and are based on unrounded numbers.

Net Sales to External Customers

 

    

Three Months

    

Three Months

    

    

    

 

Ended

Ended

Impact of

Total Change

 

March 31,

March 31,

Total

Foreign

Excl. Foreign

 

(in millions)

2022

2021

Change

Exchange

Exchange

 

Established Pharmaceutical Products

$

1,147

$

1,070

7.1

%

(6.3)

%

13.4

%

Nutritional Products

 

1,894

 

2,036

(7.0)

 

(2.6)

 

(4.4)

Diagnostic Products

 

5,286

 

4,014

31.7

 

(3.4)

 

35.1

Medical Devices

 

3,565

 

3,320

7.4

 

(4.1)

 

11.5

Total Reportable Segments

 

11,892

 

10,440

13.9

 

(3.8)

 

17.7

Other

 

3

 

16

(85.8)

 

 

(85.8)

Net Sales

$

11,895

$

10,456

13.8

 

(3.7)

 

17.5

Total U.S.

$

4,937

$

3,838

28.6

 

 

28.6

Total International

$

6,958

$

6,618

5.1

 

(6.0)

 

11.1

Note: In order to compute results excluding the impact of exchange rates, current year U.S. dollar sales are multiplied or divided, as appropriate, by the current year average foreign exchange rates and then those amounts are multiplied or divided, as appropriate, by the prior year average foreign exchange rates.

The 17.5 percent increase in total net sales during the first three months of 2022, excluding the impact of foreign exchange, reflected demand for Abbott’s rapid diagnostics tests to detect COVID-19 as well as growth in Abbott’s Medical Devices and Established Pharmaceutical Products segments partially offset by lower Nutritional sales. During the first quarter of 2022, Abbott’s COVID-19 testing-related sales totaled approximately $3.3 billion led by combined sales of approximately $3.0 billion related to Abbott’s BinaxNOW®, Panbio®, and ID NOW® rapid testing platforms. During the first quarter of 2021, Abbott’s COVID-19 testing-related sales totaled approximately $2.2 billion led by combined sales of approximately $1.8 billion related to Abbott’s BinaxNOW, Panbio, and ID NOW rapid testing platforms. Excluding the impact of COVID-19 testing-related sales, Abbott’s total net sales increased 3.9 percent. Excluding the impacts of COVID-19 testing-related sales and foreign exchange, Abbott’s total net sales increased 7.7 percent. Abbott’s net sales were unfavorably impacted by changes in foreign exchange rates in the first quarter as the relatively stronger U.S. dollar decreased total international sales by 6.0 percent and total sales by 3.7 percent.

Due to the unpredictability of the duration and impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the future extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will have a material effect on Abbott’s business, financial condition or results of operations is uncertain.

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The table below provides detail by sales category for the three months ended March 31. Percent changes are versus the prior year and are based on unrounded numbers.

    

    

    

    

Impact of

    

Total Change

 

March 31,

March 31,

Total

Foreign

Excl. Foreign

 

(in millions)

2022

2021

Change

Exchange

Exchange

 

Established Pharmaceutical Products —

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Key Emerging Markets

$

902

$

821

9.8

%

(7.3)

%

17.1

%

Other Emerging Markets

 

245

 

249

(1.7)

 

(2.9)

 

1.2

Nutritionals —

 

 

 

 

International Pediatric Nutritionals

 

509

 

558

(8.8)

 

(3.4)

 

(5.4)

U.S. Pediatric Nutritionals

 

338

 

508

(33.6)

 

 

(33.6)

International Adult Nutritionals

 

708

 

642

10.3

 

(5.3)

 

15.6

U.S. Adult Nutritionals

 

339

 

328

3.7

 

 

3.7

Diagnostics —

 

 

 

 

Core Laboratory

 

1,184

 

1,182

0.1

 

(4.1)

 

4.2

Molecular

 

420

 

447

(5.9)

 

(2.9)

 

(3.0)

Point of Care

 

128

 

129

(0.6)

 

(1.0)

 

0.4

Rapid Diagnostics

 

3,554

 

2,256

57.5

 

(3.3)

 

60.8

Medical Devices —

 

 

 

 

Rhythm Management

 

524

 

519

1.0

 

(3.2)

 

4.2

Electrophysiology

 

485

 

431

12.6

 

(4.2)

 

16.8

Heart Failure

 

221

 

194

14.2

 

(2.0)

 

16.2

Vascular

 

619

 

635

(2.6)

 

(3.6)

 

1.0

Structural Heart

 

411

 

377

9.1

 

(4.7)

 

13.8

Neuromodulation

 

179

 

184

(3.1)

 

(1.6)

 

(1.5)

Diabetes Care

1,126

980

14.9

(5.5)

20.4

Excluding the unfavorable effect of foreign exchange, sales in Key Emerging Markets for Established Pharmaceutical Products increased 17.1 percent, led by double-digit growth in several countries and therapeutic areas, including gastroenterology, central nervous system/pain management, and respiratory products. Other Emerging Markets, excluding the effect of foreign exchange, increased by 1.2 percent.

International Pediatric Nutritional sales, excluding the effect of foreign exchange, decreased 5.4 percent. The decrease reflects lower sales due to challenging market dynamics in the infant category in Greater China partially offset by higher volumes sold in various countries in Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. International Adult Nutritional sales, excluding the effect of foreign exchange, increased 15.6 percent, and U.S. Adult Nutritional sales increased 3.7 percent, reflecting continued growth of the Ensure® and Glucerna® brands in several countries including the U.S.

In U.S. Pediatric Nutritionals, Abbott initiated a voluntary recall in February 2022 of certain infant powder formula products manufactured at one of its U.S. facilities and stopped production at the facility. The 33.6 percent decrease in U.S. Pediatric Nutritional sales reflects the impact of the recall and production stoppage partially offset by increased demand for Abbott’s Pedialyte® and PediaSure® products. U.S. sales of certain infant powder formulas were $59 million in the first quarter of 2022 and $288 million in the first quarter of 2021. Abbott is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on corrective actions and enhancements so that operations at the facility can be restarted. Abbott cannot predict when manufacturing at the facility will restart. Abbott is also working to bring infant powder formula to the U.S. from its FDA-regulated facility in Europe and to increase production at other U.S. manufacturing plants.

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The 35.1 percent increase in Diagnostic Products sales, excluding the impact of foreign exchange, was driven by demand for Abbott’s portfolio of COVID-19 tests in Rapid Diagnostics and growth in routine diagnostic testing in Core Laboratory Diagnostics and Molecular Diagnostics. In Core Laboratory Diagnostics, sales increased 4.2 percent, excluding the effect of foreign exchange, due to the higher volume of routine diagnostic testing from the continued roll-out of the Alinity® platform and an expanded menu of tests partially offset by lower sales of Abbott’s laboratory-based tests for the detection of COVID-19 IgG and IgM antibodies, which determine if someone was previously infected with the COVID-19 virus. In the first three months of 2022 and 2021, Core Laboratory Diagnostics COVID-19 IgG and IgM antibody testing-related sales on Abbott’s ARCHITECT® and Alinity i platforms were $28 million and $54 million, respectively. In the first three months of 2022, Core Laboratory Diagnostics sales increased 2.4 percent, excluding COVID-19 testing-related sales, and increased 6.6 percent, excluding the impact of foreign exchange and COVID-19 testing-related sales.

The 3.0 percent decrease in Molecular Diagnostics sales, excluding the effect of foreign exchange, was driven by lower demand for Abbott’s laboratory-based molecular tests for COVID-19 on its m2000® platform partially offset by growth in the base business from increased routine molecular testing and an expanded menu of tests. In the first three months of 2022 and 2021, Molecular Diagnostics COVID-19 testing-related sales were $246 million and $307 million, respectively. In the first three months of 2022, Molecular Diagnostics sales increased 24.8 percent, excluding COVID-19 testing-related sales, and increased 29.0 percent, excluding the impact of foreign exchange and COVID-19 testing-related sales.

In Rapid Diagnostics, sales increased 60.8 percent, excluding the effect of foreign exchange, due to the demand for Abbott’s COVID-19 tests on its rapid testing platforms, including the Panbio system, the ID NOW platform, and the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card test. In the first three months of 2022 and 2021, Rapid Diagnostics COVID-19 testing-related sales were approximately $3.0 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively. In the first three months of 2022, Rapid Diagnostics sales increased 21.6 percent, excluding COVID-19 testing-related sales, and increased 23.5 percent, excluding the impact of foreign exchange and COVID-19 testing-related sales. These increases reflect higher sales of ID NOW tests for flu, strep, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as well as growth in other Rapid Diagnostics products.

Excluding the effect of foreign exchange, total Medical Devices sales grew 11.5 percent driven by double-digit growth in Diabetes Care, Electrophysiology, Structural Heart and Heart Failure. Growth in Diabetes Care sales was driven by continued growth of FreeStyle Libre®, Abbott’s continuous glucose monitoring system, internationally and in the U.S. FreeStyle Libre sales totaled $995 million in the first three months of 2022, which reflected a 26.2 percent increase, excluding the effect of foreign exchange, over the first three months of 2021 when FreeStyle Libre sales totaled $827 million.

While procedure volumes across Abbott’s cardiovascular and neuromodulation businesses were negatively impacted by elevated COVID-19 case rates early in 2022, overall volume trends improved as case rates declined in the second half of the first quarter. In Electrophysiology, excluding the effect of foreign exchange, the increase in procedure volumes also reflects the U.S. roll-out of Abbott’s EnSite™ X EP System with Ensite Omnipolar Technology (OT), a new cardiac mapping platform available in the U.S., Japan and across Europe. In January 2022, Abbott announced FDA clearance for the EnSite X EP System with EnSite OT. The system leverages the Advisor™ HD Grid Catheter to provide a 360-degree view of the heart without regard to the orientation of the catheter in the heart.

Growth in Structural Heart, excluding the effect of foreign exchange, was broad-based across several areas of the business, including Amplatzer® Amulet® Left Atrial Appendage Occluder, which offers immediate closure of the left atrial appendage, an area in the heart where blood clots can form and MitraClip®, Abbott’s market-leading device for the minimally invasive treatment of mitral regurgitation, a leaky heart valve. In Vascular, the 1.0 percent growth in sales, excluding the impact of foreign exchange, reflects higher endovascular sales partially offset by the negative effect of lower average pricing for drug-eluting stents (DES) in the U.S. and a lag in the recovery of percutaneous coronary intervention case rates compared to many other cardiovascular procedures.

In 2022, Medical Devices received various product approvals. In February 2022, Abbott received FDA approval for an expanded indication for its CardioMEMS™ HF system, a small implantable sensor and remote monitoring system that can detect early warning signs of worsening heart failure. In April 2022, Abbott announced FDA approval for its Aveir™ single-chamber leadless pacemaker for the treatment of patients in the U.S. with slow heart rhythms.

The gross profit margin percentage was 53.8 percent for the first quarter of 2022 compared to 53.0 percent for the first quarter of 2021. The increase in the quarter reflects the effect of higher sales volume of COVID-19 rapid tests, the impact of gross margin improvement initiatives, and the favorable impact of foreign exchange on costs partially offset by the impact of the voluntary product recall in the Nutritional business and higher inflation on various manufacturing inputs, commodities and distribution costs.

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Research and development (R&D) expenses increased $43 million, or 6.5 percent, in the first quarter of 2022. The 2022 increase in R&D was primarily driven by higher spending on various projects to advance products in development partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign exchange.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were basically flat in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the first quarter of 2021. Higher selling and marketing spending to drive growth across various businesses was offset by the nonrecurrence of certain 2021 litigation costs and the favorable impact of foreign exchange.

Other (Income) Expense, net

Other income, net increased from $61 million of income in the first quarter of 2021 to $78 million of income in the first quarter of 2022. The increase in the first quarter was primarily due to higher income in 2022 related to the non-service cost components of net pension and post-retirement medical benefit costs partially offset by the change in earnings of equity method investments.

Interest Expense, net

Interest expense, net decreased $7 million in the first quarter of 2022 primarily due to the impact of higher interest rates on interest income in the first quarter of 2022 and the repayment of debt in the first quarter of 2022.

Taxes on Earnings

Taxes on earnings reflect the estimated annual effective rates and include charges for interest and penalties. In the first three months of 2022 and 2021, taxes on earnings include approximately $30 million and $80 million, respectively, in excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation. In the first three months of 2022, taxes on earnings also include approximately $30 million of tax expense as the result of the resolution of various tax positions related to prior years.

Tax authorities in various jurisdictions regularly review Abbott’s income tax filings. Abbott believes that it is reasonably possible that the recorded amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits may decrease approximately $70 million to $80 million, including cash adjustments, within the next twelve months as a result of concluding various domestic and international tax matters.

Liquidity and Capital Resources March 31, 2022 Compared with December 31, 2021

Cash and cash equivalents decreased from $9.8 billion at December 31, 2021 to $7.7 billion at March 31, 2022 as cash used to fund share repurchases, the payment of dividends, the repayment of debt and capital expenditures was partially offset by cash generated from operations in the first three months of 2022. Working capital declined from $11.1 billion at December 31, 2021 to $10.8 billion at March 31, 2022 as the decrease in cash and cash equivalents and the increase in accounts payable were partially offset by increases in accounts receivable and inventory.

In the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, Net cash from operating activities for the first three months of 2022 totaled $2.1 billion, a decrease of $572 million compared to the prior year primarily due to an increased investment in various working capital components and the timing of pension and postretirement benefit plan contributions partially offset by higher operating earnings and a reduction in cash taxes paid. Cash taxes paid in the first three months of 2022 totaled approximately $195 million versus $270 million in 2021. Other, net in Net cash from operating activities was a use of $205 million for the first three months of 2022 and a use of $6 million for the first three months of 2021. The year-over-year change in Other, net in Net cash from operating activities primarily reflects the timing of benefit plan contributions.

On March 15, 2022, Abbott repaid the $750 million outstanding principal amount of its 2.55% Notes due 2022 upon maturity.

In September 2019, the board of directors authorized the early redemption of up to $5 billion of outstanding long-term notes. As of March 31, 2022, $2.15 billion of the $5 billion authorization remains available.

At March 31, 2022, Abbott’s long-term debt rating was AA- by Standard & Poor’s Corporation and A1 by Moody’s Investors Service. Abbott expects to maintain an investment grade rating. Abbott has readily available financial resources, including lines of credit of $5 billion which expire in 2025.

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In December 2021, the board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $5 billion of Abbott’s common shares from time to time. The new authorization was in addition to the $1.081 billion portion of the share repurchase program authorized in 2019 that was unused as of December 31, 2021. In the first quarter of 2022, Abbott repurchased 17.3 million of its common shares for $2.1 billion which fully utilized the authorization remaining under the 2019 share repurchase program and a portion of the 2021 authorization. As of March 31, 2022, $3.981 billion remains available for repurchase under the 2021 repurchase program.

In the first quarter of 2022, Abbott declared a quarterly dividend of $0.47 per share on its common shares, which represents an increase of 4.4 percent over the $0.45 per share dividend declared in the first quarter of 2021.

Legislative Issues

Abbott’s primary markets are highly competitive and subject to substantial government regulations throughout the world. Abbott expects debate to continue over the availability, method of delivery, and payment for health care products and services. It is not possible to predict the extent to which Abbott or the health care industry in general might be adversely affected by these factors in the future. A more complete discussion of these factors is contained in Item 1, Business, and Item 1A, Risk Factors, in the 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 — A Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Abbott cautions that any forward-looking statements made by Abbott are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect Abbott’s operations are discussed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and are incorporated herein by reference. Abbott undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law.

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PART I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 4.      Controls and Procedures

(a)Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. The Chief Executive Officer, Robert B. Ford, and Chief Financial Officer, Robert E. Funck, Jr., evaluated the effectiveness of Abbott Laboratories’ disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report, and concluded that Abbott Laboratories’ disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information Abbott is required to disclose in the reports that it files or submits with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, and to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Abbott in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to Abbott’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b)Changes in internal control over financial reporting. During the quarter ended March 31, 2022, there were no changes in Abbott’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Abbott’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.       Legal Proceedings

Abbott is involved in various claims, legal proceedings and investigations as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, including (as of March 31, 2022, except where noted below) those described below. While it is not feasible to predict the outcome of such pending claims, proceedings and investigations with certainty, management is of the opinion that their ultimate resolution should not have a material adverse effect on Abbott’s financial position, cash flows, or results of operations.

In its 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Abbott reported that it is a defendant in numerous lawsuits in federal and state courts involving certain of its specialty infant formula products administered to preterm infants. In April 2022, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ordered the consolidation of the federal court cases in the Northern District of Illinois for pretrial purposes.

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Item 2.       Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(c)Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

    

    

    

    

(d) Maximum

 

Number (or

 

(c) Total Number

Approximate

 

of Shares (or

Dollar Value) of

 

(a) Total

Units) Purchased

Shares (or Units)

 

Number of

(b) Average

as Part of

that May Yet Be

 

Shares (or

Price Paid per

Publicly

Purchased Under

 

Units)

Share (or

Announced Plans

the Plans or

 

Period

Purchased

Unit)

or Programs

Programs

 

January 1, 2022 – January 31, 2022

650,000

(1)  

$

127.262

 

650,000

$

5,998,449,112

(2)

February 1, 2022 – February 28, 2022

8,550,000

(1)

123.643

 

8,550,000

4,941,301,237

(2)

March 1, 2022 – March 31, 2022

8,113,060

(1)

118.344

 

8,113,060

3,981,169,070

(2)

Total

17,313,060

(1)

$

121.296

 

17,313,060

$

3,981,169,070

(2)

1.These shares do not include the shares surrendered to Abbott to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted stock or restricted stock units.

2.On October 11, 2019, the board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $3 billion of Abbott common shares, from time to time (the “2019 Plan”). On December 10, 2021, the board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $5 billion of Abbott common shares, from time to time (the “2021 Plan”). The amount available for repurchase under the remaining portion of the 2019 Plan has been fully utilized as part of the share repurchases in the first quarter of 2022.

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Item 6.    Exhibits

Exhibit No.

    

Exhibit

3.1

By-Laws of Abbott Laboratories, as amended and restated effective April 29, 2022, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 22, 2022.

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Required by Rule 13a-14(a) (17 CFR 240.13a-14(a)).

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Required by Rule 13a-14(a) (17 CFR 240.13a-14(a)).

Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 are furnished herewith and should not be deemed to be “filed” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101

The following financial statements and notes from the Abbott Laboratories Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet; (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Investment; (v) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows; and (vi) Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded in the Inline XBRL document and included in Exhibit 101).

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

ABBOTT LABORATORIES

By:

/s/ Robert E. Funck, Jr.

Robert E. Funck, Jr.

Executive Vice President, Finance
and Chief Financial Officer

Date: May 3, 2022

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