Liquidity and Capital Resources September 30, 2020 Compared with December 31, 2019
On September 28, 2020, Abbott repaid the €1.140 billion outstanding principal amount of its 0.00% Notes due 2020 upon maturity. The debt repayment, which equated to approximately $1.3 billion, was primarily funded by the net proceeds from the issuance on June 24, 2020 of $1.3 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes. The June 2020 issuance consisted of $650 million of 1.15% Notes due 2028 and $650 million of 1.40% Notes due 2030.
The $620 million increase in cash and cash equivalents from $3.9 billion at December 31, 2019 to $4.5 billion at September 30, 2020 primarily reflects the favorable impact of cash generated by operating activities, partially offset by the payment of dividends and capital expenditures. Working capital was $7.1 billion at September 30, 2020 and $4.8 billion at December 31, 2019. The $2.3 billion increase was due in large part to the higher level of cash and cash equivalents noted above, as well as an increase in inventory related to shifting demand dynamics and higher accounts receivable balances due to higher levels of sales.
In the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, Net cash from operating activities for the first nine months of 2020 totaled $4.1 billion, an increase of $383 million over the prior year due primarily to lower payments related to integration expenses, restructuring actions and interest, the proceeds from a litigation settlement payment and timing for various accrued expenses, partially offset by an increased investment in working capital. Other, net in Net cash from operating activities for the first nine months of 2020 was a source of $42 million and includes the impact of non-cash impairment charges related to intangible assets and equity investments and the payment timing for various accrued expenses partially offset by the impact of the payment of cash taxes of approximately $700 million and $350 million of pension contributions. Other, net in Net cash from operating activities for the first nine months of 2019 was a use of $523 million and includes the payment of cash taxes of approximately $775 million and $337 million of pension contributions, partially offset by payment timing for various accrued expenses. Abbott expects to fund cash dividends, capital expenditures and its other investments in its businesses with cash flow from operating activities, cash on hand, short-term investments and borrowings.
In September 2019, the board of directors authorized the early redemption of up to $5 billion of outstanding long-term notes. This bond redemption authorization superseded the board’s previous authorization under which $700 million had not yet been redeemed. In December 2019, Abbott redeemed $2.850 billion of debt. After this redemption, $2.15 billion of the $5 billion debt redemption authorization remains available.
At September 30, 2020, Abbott’s long-term debt rating was A- by Standard & Poor’s Corporation and A3 by Moody’s Investors Service. Abbott expects to maintain an investment grade rating. Abbott has readily available financial resources, including lines of credit of $5.0 billion which expire in 2023.
In October 2019, the board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $3 billion of Abbott’s common shares from time to time. This authorization is in addition to the $270 million unused portion of the share repurchase program authorized in 2014.
On April 27, 2016, the board of directors authorized the issuance and sale for general corporate purposes of up to 75 million common shares that would result in proceeds of up to $3 billion. No shares have been issued under this authorization.
In each of the first three quarters of 2020, Abbott declared a quarterly dividend of $0.36 per share on its common shares, which represents an increase of approximately 12.5 percent over the $0.32 per share quarterly dividend declared in each of the first three quarters of 2019.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, which changes the methodology to be used to measure credit losses for certain financial instruments and financial assets, including trade receivables. The new methodology requires the recognition of an allowance that reflects the current estimate of credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the financial asset. Abbott adopted the standard on January 1, 2020 and recorded a cumulative adjustment that was not significant to Earnings employed in the business in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which among other things, eliminates certain exceptions in the current rules regarding the approach for intraperiod tax allocations and the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period, and clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. The standard becomes effective for Abbott in the first quarter of 2021 and early adoption is permitted. Abbott does not expect adoption of this new standard to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.
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 2019 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, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Abbott's operations and financial results, 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 the 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Item 1A, “Risk Factors”, in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. 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.