Abbott Records Positive Second Quarter Results

Abbott has announced strong financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009. Diluted earnings per share, excluding specified items, were $0.89, at the high end of Abbott’s second-quarter guidance range of $0.87 to $0.89. Diluted earnings per share under GAAP were $0.83.

Worldwide operational sales excluding 8% effect of exchange rates, increased 10.5%. Reported sales, which include the impact of exchange, increased 2.5% and the worldwide operational sales increased 14.6%.

Worldwide medical products’ operational sales excluding 9.5% effect of exchange rates, also reported an increase of 27%.

In the worldwide pharmaceutical operational sales, excluding 8.3% effect of exchange rates, increased 4% and worldwide pharmaceutical operational sales increased 11.4%.

The company also posted an increase in worldwide nutritional operational sales, which increased to 9.2%, excluding 5.2% effect of exchange rates.

Miles White, chairman and chief executive officer, Abbott, said: We achieved our performance goals for the quarter, with results at the high end of our previous expectations. Our diverse mix of market-leading products and global businesses delivered double-digit operational sales growth, with strong performance from our key growth drivers.