Abbott reports fourth-quarter 2016 results

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) has announced that fourth-quarter 2016 worldwide sales of $5.3 billion increased 2.8 percent on a reported basis, including an unfavorable 1.0 percent effect of foreign exchange, and increased 3.8 percent on an operational basis. Full-year 2016 worldwide sales increased 2.2 percent on a reported basis and 4.8 percent on an operational basis.

Worldwide Nutrition sales decreased 3.7 percent on a reported basis in the fourth quarter, including an unfavorable 1.1 percent effect of foreign exchange, and decreased 2.6 percent on an operational basis.

Worldwide Diagnostics sales increased 2.9 percent on a reported basis in the fourth quarter, including an unfavorable 1.0 percent effect of foreign exchange, and increased 3.9 percent on an operational basis.

Established Pharmaceuticals sales increased 10.6 percent on a reported basis in the fourth quarter, including an unfavorable 2.0 percent effect of foreign exchange, and increased 12.6 percent on an operational basis.

Key Emerging Markets include Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC), along with several additional emerging markets that represent the most attractive long-term growth opportunities for Abbott's branded generics product portfolio. Sales in these key geographies increased 10.6 percent on a reported basis and 13.0 percent on an operational basis in the fourth quarter. Operational sales growth was led by double-digit growth in BRIC, which comprises approximately 45 percent of Abbott's Established Pharmaceuticals sales, as well as strong growth in several countries throughout Latin America, including Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Argentina.

Worldwide Medical Devices sales increased 4.4 percent on a reported basis in the fourth quarter, including an unfavorable 0.3 percent effect of foreign exchange, and increased 4.7 percent on an operational basis.

On Dec. 9, 2016, the board of directors of Abbott increased the company's quarterly dividend to $0.265 per share from $0.260 per share. Abbott's cash dividend is payable Feb. 15, 2017, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Jan. 13, 2017. This marks the 372nd consecutive quarterly dividend paid by Abbott.

Abbott has increased its dividend payout for 45 consecutive years and is a member of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index, which tracks companies that have annually increased their dividend for at least 25 consecutive years.

"2016 was a very important year for Abbott," said Miles D. White, chairman and chief executive officer, Abbott. "We achieved our financial commitments, advanced our internal pipeline, and took important strategic steps to shape the company for balance and growth."

About Abbott
Abbott is a global healthcare company devoted to improving life through the development of products and technologies that span the breadth of healthcare. With a portfolio of leading, science-based offerings in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic pharmaceuticals, Abbott serves people in more than 150 countries and employs approximately 94,000 people.