Abbott Laboratories (ABT) 10-Q2024 Q1 Quarterly report

(Unaudited)

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

Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

(Unaudited)

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, 2023. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the parent company and subsidiaries, after elimination of intercompany transactions.

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.

Products sold by the Diagnostics segment include various types of diagnostic tests to detect the COVID-19 coronavirus. In the first three months of 2024 and 2023, Abbott’s COVID-19 testing-related sales totaled $204 million and $730 million, respectively.

Remaining Performance Obligations

As of March 31, 2024, the estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) was approximately $4.5 billion in the Diagnostics segment and approximately $495 million in the Medical Devices segment. Abbott expects to recognize revenue on approximately 59 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 FASB 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:

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, 2024 and 2023 were $1.220 billion and $1.313 billion, respectively.

Other, net in Net cash from operating activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the first three months of 2024 includes $280 million of pension contributions and the payment of cash taxes of approximately $225 million. The first three months of 2023 includes $282 million of pension contributions and the payment of cash taxes of approximately $122 million.

The following summarizes the activity for the first three months of 2024 related to the allowance for doubtful accounts as of March 31, 2024:

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, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are as follows:

Abbott’s equity securities as of March 31, 2024, include $317 million of investments in mutual funds that are held in a rabbi trust. 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, 2024 with a carrying value of $154 million that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting and other equity investments with a carrying value of approximately $66 million that do not have a readily determinable fair value.

Reclassified amounts for 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 13 for additional details.

The total amount of goodwill reported was $23.4 billion at March 31, 2024 and $23.7 billion at December 31, 2023. Foreign currency translation adjustments decreased goodwill by approximately $294 million in the first three months of 2024. The amount of goodwill related to reportable segments at March 31, 2024 was $2.7 billion for the Established Pharmaceutical Products segment, $285 million for the Nutritional Products segment, $3.5 billion for the Diagnostic Products segment, and $16.9 billion for the Medical Devices segment. There was no reduction of goodwill relating to impairments in the first three months of 2024.

The gross amount of amortizable intangible assets, primarily product rights and technology, was $27.5 billion and $27.7 billion as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Accumulated amortization was $20.0 billion and $19.7 billion as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. In the first three months of 2024, intangible assets decreased $38 million due to foreign currency translation and $8 million due to an impairment charge. Abbott’s estimated annual amortization expense for intangible assets is approximately $1.9 billion in 2024, $1.7 billion in 2025, $1.6 billion in 2026, $1.3 billion in 2027 and $0.7 billion in 2028.

Indefinite-lived intangible assets, which relate to in-process R&D (IPR&D) acquired in a business combination, were approximately $787 million as of March 31, 2024 and as of December 31, 2023.

In 2023 and 2022, Abbott management approved plans to restructure or streamline various operations in order to reduce costs in its medical devices, diagnostic, nutritional and established pharmaceutical businesses. The following summarizes the 2024 activity related to these restructuring actions and the status of the related accruals as of March 31, 2024:

In the first three months of 2024, Abbott granted 1,666,566 stock options, 404,597 restricted stock awards and 5,189,560 restricted stock units under its incentive stock program. At March 31, 2024, approximately 60 million shares were reserved for future grants. Information regarding the number of options outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2024 is as follows:

Abbott has readily available financial resources, including unused lines of credit that support commercial paper borrowing arrangements and provide Abbott with the ability to borrow up to $5 billion on an unsecured basis. On January 29, 2024, Abbott terminated its 2020 Five Year Credit Agreement (2020 Agreement) and entered into a new Five Year Credit Agreement (Revolving Credit Agreement). There were no outstanding borrowings under the 2020 Agreement at the time of its termination. Any borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement will mature and be payable on January 29, 2029 and will bear interest, at Abbott’s option, based on either a base rate or Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), plus an applicable margin based on Abbott’s credit ratings.

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, 2024 and December 31, 2023, Abbott held gross notional amounts of $14.5 billion and $13.8 billion, respectively, of such foreign currency forward exchange contracts.

Abbott has designated a yen-denominated, 5-year term loan, scheduled to mature in November 2024, of approximately $395 million and $419 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, 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 $2.2 billion at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 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.

The following table summarizes the amounts and location of certain derivative financial instruments as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

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, 2024 and 2023.

Gains of $92 million and losses of $103 million were recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, 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.

The carrying values and fair values of certain financial instruments as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 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.

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

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. The decrease in the amount of contingent consideration from December 31, 2023 reflects a payment of $40 million and a $13 million change in the fair value of the remaining contingent consideration.

The maximum amount for certain contingent consideration is not determinable as it is based on a percent of certain sales. Excluding such contingent consideration, the maximum amount that may be due under the other contingent consideration arrangements was estimated at March 31, 2024 to be approximately $135 million, which is dependent upon attaining certain sales thresholds or upon the occurrence of certain events, such as regulatory approvals.

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 $45 million to $60 million. The recorded accrual balance at March 31, 2024 for these proceedings and exposures was approximately $55 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.

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:

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 2024 and 2023, $280 million and $282 million, respectively, were contributed to defined benefit plans. In the first three months of 2024 and 2023, $28 million was contributed in each year to the post-employment medical and dental plans.

Taxes on earnings reflect the estimated annual effective rates and include charges for interest and penalties. In the first three months of 2024 and 2023, taxes on earnings include approximately $25 million and $3 million, respectively, in excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation. In the first three months of 2024 and 2023, taxes on earnings also include approximately $10 million and $22 million, respectively, 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 $82 million to $1.34 billion, including cash adjustments, within the next twelve months as a result of concluding various domestic and international tax matters.

In September 2023, Abbott received a Statutory Notice of Deficiency (SNOD) from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the 2019 Federal tax year in the amount of $417 million. The primary adjustments proposed in the SNOD relate to the reallocation of income between Abbott’s U.S. entities and its foreign affiliates. Abbott believes that the income reallocation adjustments proposed in the SNOD are without merit, in part because certain adjustments contradict methods that were agreed to with the IRS in prior audit periods. The SNOD also contains other proposed adjustments that Abbott believes are erroneous and unsupported. Abbott filed a petition with the U.S. Tax Court contesting the SNOD in December 2023.

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:

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. Intersegment transfers of inventory are recorded at standard cost and are not a measure of segment operating earnings. 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.

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.

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 tables detail sales by reportable segment for the three months ended March 31. Percent changes are versus the prior year and are based on unrounded numbers.

The 5.1 percent increase in total net sales during the first three months of 2024, excluding the impact of foreign exchange, reflected higher sales primarily in the Medical Devices and Established Pharmaceuticals segments, partially offset by a decrease in demand for Abbott’s rapid diagnostic tests to detect COVID-19. Abbott’s COVID-19 testing-related sales totaled $204 million during the first quarter of 2024 and $730 million during the first quarter of 2023. Excluding the impact of COVID-19 testing-related sales, Abbott’s total net sales increased 8.2 percent. Excluding the impacts of COVID-19 testing-related sales and foreign exchange, Abbott’s total net sales increased 11.3 percent. In the first quarter of 2024, Abbott’s net sales were unfavorably impacted by changes in foreign exchange rates as the relatively stronger U.S. dollar decreased total international sales by 4.8 percent and total sales by 2.9 percent.

Research and development (R&D) expenses increased $30 million, or 4.5 percent, in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the prior year. The increase in R&D expenses in the first quarter of 2024 was driven by higher spending on various projects.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased $197 million, or 7.1 percent, in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the prior year as higher SG&A spending to drive growth across various businesses was partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign exchange.

Taxes on earnings reflect the estimated annual effective rates and include charges for interest and penalties. In the first three months of 2024 and 2023, taxes on earnings include approximately $25 million and $3 million, respectively, in excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation. In the first three months of 2024 and 2023, taxes on earnings also include approximately $10 million and $22 million, respectively, 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 $82 million to $1.34 billion, including cash adjustments, within the next twelve months as a result of concluding various domestic and international tax matters.

In September 2023, Abbott received a Statutory Notice of Deficiency (SNOD) from the IRS for the 2019 Federal tax year in the amount of $417 million. The primary adjustments proposed in the SNOD relate to the reallocation of income between Abbott’s U.S. entities and its foreign affiliates. Abbott believes that the income reallocation adjustments proposed in the SNOD are without merit, in part because certain adjustments contradict methods that were agreed to with the IRS in prior audit periods. The SNOD also contains other proposed adjustments that Abbott believes are erroneous and unsupported. Abbott filed a petition with the U.S. Tax Court contesting the SNOD in December 2023.

The decrease in cash and cash equivalents from $6.9 billion at December 31, 2023 to $6.3 billion at March 31, 2024 primarily reflects the payment of dividends and capital expenditures, partially offset by the cash generated from operations in the first three months of 2024. Working capital was $8.4 billion at March 31, 2024 and $8.8 billion at December 31, 2023. The decrease in working capital in 2024 primarily reflects a decrease in cash and cash equivalents, as well as an increase in the current portion of long-term debt, partially offset by decreases in accrued salaries and accounts payable.

In the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, Net cash from operating activities for the first three months of 2024 totaled approximately $1.0 billion, which reflects a decrease of $118 million from the prior year. The decrease reflects lower operating earnings and an increase in trade receivables in 2024. In the first three months of 2024, Net cash from operating activities includes $280 million of pension contributions and the payment of cash taxes of approximately $225 million. In the first three months of 2023, Net cash from operating activities includes $282 million of pension contributions and the payment of cash taxes of approximately $122 million.

At March 31, 2024, Abbott’s long-term debt rating was AA- by S&P Global Ratings and Aa3 by Moody’s Investors Service. Abbott expects to maintain an investment grade rating.

Abbott has readily available financial resources, including unused lines of credit that support commercial paper borrowing arrangements and provide Abbott with the ability to borrow up to $5 billion on an unsecured basis. On January 29, 2024, Abbott terminated its 2020 Five Year Credit Agreement (2020 Agreement) and entered into a new Five Year Credit Agreement (Revolving Credit Agreement). There were no outstanding borrowings under the 2020 Agreement at the time of its termination. Any borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement will mature and be payable on January 29, 2029 and will bear interest, at Abbott’s option, based on either a base rate or Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), plus an applicable margin based on Abbott’s credit ratings.

In the first quarter of 2024, Abbott declared a quarterly dividend of $0.55 per share on its common shares, which represents an increase of 7.8 percent over the $0.51 per share dividend declared in the first quarter of 2023.

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 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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, 2023, 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.

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, 2023, including those described below (as of March 31, 2024, except where noted 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.