Abbott Laboratories reported first-quarter revenue of $11.16 billion, up 7.8% from a year earlier and ahead of the $11.1 billion Wall Street consensus. Earnings per share came in at $1.15, missing estimates by one cent.
Why it matters: Abbott is the largest diversified medical device maker in the United States, and its results signal continued strength in healthcare spending even as geopolitical uncertainty rattles other sectors.
Exact Sciences reshapes the business
The quarter was shaped by Abbott’s $23 billion acquisition of Exact Sciences, a cancer diagnostics company that makes the Cologuard colorectal screening test. The deal closed in March 2026 and immediately boosted revenue in the diagnostics division.
However, the acquisition also diluted earnings per share and prompted Abbott to lower its full-year guidance. The company now expects adjusted EPS of $5.38 to $5.58, down from its previous range of $5.55 to $5.75.
Diagnostics leads, devices steady
The diagnostics segment delivered the strongest growth, driven by both the Exact Sciences integration and continued demand for Abbott’s core laboratory testing platforms. The medical devices division posted stable results, with FreeStyle Libre glucose monitors maintaining market share.
Pharmaceutical and nutritional product lines grew in the low single digits year on year.
Market reaction
Shares fell roughly 2% in morning trading as investors focused on the lowered guidance rather than the revenue beat. Analysts at JPMorgan noted that the EPS cut was smaller than feared and that the Exact Sciences integration appeared on track.
Abbott’s Q2 EPS guidance of $1.25 to $1.31 also came in below the $1.33 analyst consensus, adding to near-term pressure.