ABBOTT LABORATORIES 8-K

What Happened

• On January 22, 2026, Abbott Laboratories announced its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results in a press release furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to an SEC Form 8‑K (Item 2.02). The company disclosed and explained the use of non‑GAAP financial measures, including "net earnings excluding specified items," to show underlying operating performance.
• Abbott said these non‑GAAP measures adjust for items it views as unusual or unpredictable—examples include acquisition-related expenses, restructuring costs, legal reserves, fair‑value adjustments to contingent consideration from acquisitions, certain regulatory costs, adjustments tied to a prior significant non‑cash deferred tax benefit, tax impacts of specified items, net tax benefits from resolution of prior‑year tax positions, excess tax benefits from share‑based compensation—and they also exclude intangible amortization expense.

Key Details

• Filing date: January 22, 2026 (Form 8‑K, Item 2.02); press release furnished as Exhibit 99.1.
• Non‑GAAP measures are presented to exclude intangible amortization and other specified items to provide "greater visibility" into ongoing results.
• Abbott’s management uses these non‑GAAP measures internally and believes they help investors evaluate ongoing business performance.
• The company cautions investors that non‑GAAP measures are supplemental and should be considered alongside GAAP financial measures (not as a substitute).

Why It Matters

• For investors, the key takeaway is that Abbott is highlighting adjusted (non‑GAAP) earnings as a way to show underlying business trends separate from one‑time or acquisition‑related items. When reviewing Abbott’s quarterly results or comparing to peers, pay attention to both the GAAP numbers in the press release and the non‑GAAP adjustments to understand the full picture. The press release (Exhibit 99.1) contains the detailed financial figures and reconciliation.