Abbott Laboratories (ABT) recently released its 2nd quarter 2015 results.
The company saw adjusted earnings-per-share grow 6.1% to $0.52 per share from $0.49 per share in the same quarter a year ago.
Abbott Laboratories left its adjusted earnings-per-share guidance for full fiscal 2015 unchanged at $2.10 to $2.20 per share. The company had adjusted earnings-per-share from continuing operations of $1.98 in fiscal 2014. Abbott Laboratories outlook is for earnings-per-share growth of between 6% and 11% for fiscal 2015.
6% to 11% earnings-per-share growth actually significantly understates Abbott's real underlying business growth. On a constant-currency basis, the company is expecting earnings growth of 13% to 18% in fiscal 2015.
The company's management expects headwinds from currency effects of around 7% in fiscal 2015. Abbott Laboratories is experiencing strong growthdespite negative currency effects.
The company's growth would be much higher if the dollar had not appreciated so much in the last year. When this trend reverses, Abbott Laboratories stands to benefit.
Business Overview
Abbott Laboratories is a diversified health care company that manufactures and sells nutrition products, medical devices and diagnostic equipment, and pharmaceuticals.
Abbott Laboratories owns the Similac, Pedialyte, and Ensure brands – making the company #1in adult nutrition globally and #1 in pediatric nutrition in the U.S.
The company operates in 4 segments. Each segment is shown below along with the percentage of total revenue generated for Abbott Laboratories in its most recent quarter:
Abbott Laboratories is truly a global business. The company generated just 31% of sales in the United States in its most recent quarter. The remaining 69% of sales were from international markets.
