Abbott (ABT) Q1 Sales +7.8% Beat Estimates, Shares -4.7% on Guidance
Key Takeaways
- Abbott reported first-quarter sales of $11.16 billion, up 7.8% on a reported basis and beating consensus estimates of approximately $11.01 billion.
- Adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) came in at $1.15, meeting analyst expectations and rising 6% year-over-year (YoY).
- Medical Devices segment delivered robust comparable growth of 8.5%, driven by double-digit gains in rhythm management, electrophysiology, and heart failure.
- Nutrition sales declined 7.7% on a comparable basis due to pricing actions and lower volumes.
- Company updated full-year 2026 guidance to reflect Exact Sciences acquisition, projecting comparable sales growth of 6.5%-7.5% and adjusted EPS of $5.38-$5.58.
- Shares fell around 4-5% in pre-market trading following the release, pressured by a softer-than-expected Q2 EPS guide.
Q1 Earnings in Context
Abbott Laboratories (ABT), the diversified healthcare leader across medical devices, diagnostics, nutrition, and established pharmaceuticals, just posted its first-quarter 2026 results. This comes right after the Exact Sciences acquisition, bringing a high-growth oncology diagnostics arm into the fold. From what I see, these numbers are a key test of how well core segments are holding up amid shifting demand, especially with investors focused on momentum in diabetes care, structural heart devices, and a nutrition rebound. In a landscape where innovation in devices and diagnostics is driving healthcare trends, Abbott's performance here shapes the outlook for sustained growth against tough competition.
Breaking Down the Q1 Results
First-quarter sales hit $11,164 million, up 7.8% reported and 3.7% on a comparable basis (excluding foreign exchange and acquisition/divestiture effects) from $10,358 million last year. That beat consensus around $11.01 billion. Adjusted diluted EPS landed at $1.15, a 6% YoY increase from $1.09 and right on expectations, with GAAP diluted EPS at $0.61.
By segment, Medical Devices led with $5,539 million in sales and 8.5% comparable growth. Diabetes care grew 7.4% comparably (continuous glucose monitors up 7.6%), while rhythm management and electrophysiology each climbed 12.5%. Established Pharmaceuticals advanced 9.0% to $1,426 million, strong in emerging markets. Diagnostics edged up 1.8% to $2,180 million, helped by core laboratory (3.3%) and cancer diagnostics (13.4%), though rapid/molecular diagnostics dropped 9.6%. Nutrition was the soft spot, down 7.7% to $2,017 million.
Post the March 23 Exact Sciences deal, guidance now calls for full-year comparable sales growth of 6.5%-7.5% and adjusted EPS of $5.38-$5.58 (with $0.20 dilution), plus Q2 adjusted EPS of $1.25-$1.31. One thing that stands out is how the Medical Devices strength could offset some pressures if it keeps up.
Market Reaction and Sentiment
ABT shares slid about 4.7% in pre-market trading after the April 16 release. The Q2 adjusted EPS midpoint of $1.28 trailed some expectations of $1.31-$1.32, even with the revenue beat and in-line Q1 EPS. In my view, sentiment is mixed: medical devices and the Exact Sciences addition are positives, but nutrition's decline and dilution weighed in.
To gauge how ABT compares, I checked Tickeron’s AI Screener for peers in medical devices—its filters on growth and patterns help spot relative opportunities quickly.
Tools I Use: Tickeron’s AI Screener
In my research process, Tickeron’s AI Screener stands out as a go-to for sifting through stocks and ETFs. It leverages AI to filter based on technical patterns, fundamentals, trends, volatility, and signals, scanning thousands of names with custom criteria like industry, market cap, indicators, and performance. I find it speeds up identifying trade ideas, breakouts, or trends far beyond manual work. If you're building watchlists or hunting opportunities, it's worth exploring to sharpen your edge.
Looking Ahead: Key Factors to Watch
The updated guidance reflects confidence in second-half acceleration, with nutrition set for recovery via new launches and pricing stability, plus ongoing medical devices gains. Exact Sciences adds roughly $3 billion in 2026 sales to oncology diagnostics, though with that $0.20 EPS hit this year. I'm watching Medical Devices closely, from FreeStyle Libre growth in diabetes to cardiovascular advances like the Amulet 360 Left Atrial Appendage Occluder. Diagnostics turnaround depends on core lab demand and ramps in Cologuard and Cancerguard.
Other items on my radar: neutral FX for Q2, Q1 adjusted gross margin at 56.3%, and emerging markets in established pharma. Catalysts include July's Q2 results and updates on partnerships like AtaCor Medical's extravascular ICD. With R&D at 6.7% of sales and SG&A at 29.3%, disciplined costs will matter. This is important because it all ties into Abbott's ability to navigate integration while fueling innovation.
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ABT sees MACD Histogram just turned negative
ABT saw its Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) turn negative on April 16, 2026. This is a bearish signal that suggests the stock could decline going forward. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 56 instances where the indicator turned negative. In of the 56 cases the stock moved lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of a downward move at .
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where ABT declined for three days, the price rose further in of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
The Aroon Indicator for ABT entered a downward trend on May 14, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where ABT's RSI Indicator exited the oversold zone, of 36 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are .
The Stochastic Oscillator shows that the ticker has stayed in the oversold zone for 18 days. The price of this ticker is presumed to bounce back soon, since the longer the ticker stays in the oversold zone, the more promptly an upward trend is expected.
Following a 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where ABT advanced for three days, in of 309 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
ABT may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is seriously undervalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (2.841) is normal, around the industry mean (12.607). P/E Ratio (23.782) is within average values for comparable stocks, (50.865). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.261) is also within normal values, averaging (1.650). Dividend Yield (0.029) settles around the average of (0.023) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (3.288) is also within normal values, averaging (36.374).
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating fairly steady price growth. ABT’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. ABT’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 96, placing this stock worse than average.
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a manufacturer of health care products
Industry MedicalNursingServices
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