On April 16, 2020 Abbott (NYSE: ABT) reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2020 (Press release, Abbott, APR 16, 2020, View Source [SID1234556377]).
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First-quarter worldwide sales of $7.7 billion increased 2.5 percent on a reported basis and 4.3 percent on an organic* basis.
Reported diluted EPS from continuing operations under GAAP was $0.30 and adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations, which excludes specified items, was $0.65 in the first quarter.
Due to uncertainties regarding the duration and impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Abbott is suspending its previously announced annual guidance for 2020.
Abbott’s strong financial position is supported by a healthy balance sheet, including approximately $3.7 billion in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, and revolving credit facilities in place that could provide additional access to up to $5 billion, if needed.
Abbott recently launched three diagnostics tests for COVID-19, including molecular tests on its ID NOWTM rapid point-of-care platform and m2000TM RealTime lab-based platform, and a serology blood test for the detection of the antibody, IgG, on its lab-based immunoassay platforms.
Abbott recently announced CE Mark approvals for several cardiovascular devices, including TriClipTM, the world’s first minimally invasive, clip-based repair device for the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation, or leaky tricuspid heart valve; TendyneTM, a first-of-its-kind technology to replace a faulty mitral heart valve; and GallantTM implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) devices to help manage heart rhythm disorders.
During the quarter, Abbott announced expanded reimbursement coverage for FreeStyle Libre in Japan to include people with Type 2 diabetes that inject insulin multiple times per day.
"First and foremost, I want to thank our employees, our customers, and our suppliers for their extraordinary efforts to maintain supply of our critically important products to the people who need them, around the world," said Robert B. Ford, president and chief executive officer, Abbott. "It’s an unprecedented time and our colleagues are rising to it in unprecedented ways."
ABBOTT’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19
Abbott has mobilized its teams across multiple fronts to help stem the spread of the virus and support healthcare systems, patients, its employees and local communities. Most notably, the company has launched three critical new tests for COVID-19: the Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 molecular test, the fastest available molecular point-of-care test delivering results within 13 minutes and positive results in as little as five minutes, the Abbott RealTime SARS-CoV-2 molecular test, which runs on Abbott’s m2000 RealTime System located in hospital and reference laboratories, and a serology blood test for the detection of the antibody, IgG, on its lab-based immunoassay testing platforms. While molecular testing detects whether someone has the virus, antibody tests determine if someone was previously infected.
The company is supporting impacted frontline health workers, families and communities around the world with philanthropic donations to help address key needs, including providing personal protective equipment, patient care supplies and training. To protect its employees, most work is being conducted remotely and the company has implemented strict travel restrictions. Abbott has taken aggressive steps to limit exposure and enhance the safety of its facilities for employees working to continue to supply vital healthcare products to hospitals, healthcare professionals, laboratories and patients around the world.
FIRST-QUARTER BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Note: Management believes that measuring sales growth rates on an organic basis is an appropriate way for investors to best understand the underlying performance of the business. Organic sales growth excludes the impact of foreign exchange.
* Total Q1 2020 Abbott sales from continuing operations include Other Sales of $15 million.
n/a = Not Applicable.
Note: In order to compute results excluding the impact of exchange rates, current year U.S. dollar sales are multiplied or divided, as appropriate, by the current year average foreign exchange rates and then those amounts are multiplied or divided, as appropriate, by the prior year average foreign exchange rates.
First-quarter 2020 worldwide sales of $7.7 billion increased 2.5 percent on a reported basis. On an organic basis, worldwide sales increased 4.3 percent.
Worldwide Diagnostics sales decreased 0.8 percent on a reported basis in the first quarter, including an unfavorable 1.5 percent effect of foreign exchange, and increased 0.7 percent on an organic basis. Core Laboratory Diagnostics sales growth was negatively impacted by lower routine testing volumes due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Abbott recently launched three critical new tests for COVID-19: the Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 molecular test, the fastest available molecular point-of-care test delivering results within 13 minutes and positive results in as little as five minutes, the Abbott RealTime SARS-CoV-2 molecular test, which runs on Abbott’s m2000 RealTime System located in hospital and reference laboratories, and a serology blood test for the detection of the antibody, IgG, on its lab-based immunoassay testing platforms. While molecular testing detects whether someone has the virus, antibody tests determine if someone was previously infected.
a) Includes drug-eluting stents, balloon catheters, guidewires, vascular imaging/diagnostics products, vessel closure, carotid and other coronary and peripheral products.
Worldwide Medical Devices sales increased 1.4 percent on a reported basis in the first quarter and increased 2.9 percent on an organic basis. Sales growth in both cardiovascular and neuromodulation businesses was negatively impacted by reduced procedure volumes due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Due to the critical nature of these products, the company anticipates strong demand when the availability of healthcare resources returns to normal levels.
In Diabetes Care, growth was led by FreeStyle Libre, with worldwide sales of more than $600 million in the quarter, an increase of 59.3 percent on a reported basis and 62.5 percent on an organic basis versus the prior year. During the quarter, Abbott obtained expanded reimbursement coverage for FreeStyle Libre in Japan to include people with Type 2 diabetes that inject insulin multiple times per day to manage their condition.
ABBOTT’S GUIDANCE FOR 2020
Due to uncertainties regarding the duration and impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Abbott is suspending its previously announced annual guidance for 2020.
ABBOTT DECLARES 385TH CONSECUTIVE QUARTERLY DIVIDEND
On Feb. 21, 2020, the board of directors of Abbott declared the company’s quarterly dividend of $0.36 per share. Abbott’s cash dividend is payable May 15, 2020, to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 15, 2020.
Abbott has increased its dividend payout for 48 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.