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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549


FORM 10-K

(MARK ONE)

ý

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

OR

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007   Commission file number 1-2189

Abbott Laboratories

An Illinois Corporation

 

36-0698440
    (I.R.S. employer identification number)

100 Abbott Park Road

 

(847) 937-6100
Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6400   (telephone number)

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class
  Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Shares, Without Par Value   New York Stock Exchange
Chicago Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes ý    No o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.

Yes o    No ý

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes ý    No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.             o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer ý    Accelerated Filer o    Smaller Reporting Company o    Non-accelerated Filer o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

Yes o    No ý

The aggregate market value of the 1,491,883,598 shares of voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the closing price as reported on the New York Stock Exchange, as of the last business day of Abbott Laboratories' most recently completed second fiscal quarter (June 30, 2007), was $79,890,366,673. Abbott has no non-voting common equity.

Number of common shares outstanding as of January 31, 2008: 1,545,737,903

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the 2008 Abbott Laboratories Proxy Statement are incorporated by reference into Part III. The Proxy Statement will be filed on or about March 19, 2008.





PART I

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS

        Abbott Laboratories is an Illinois corporation, incorporated in 1900. Abbott's* principal business is the discovery, development, manufacture, and sale of a broad and diversified line of health care products.


FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELATING TO INDUSTRY SEGMENTS, GEOGRAPHIC AREAS, AND CLASSES OF SIMILAR PRODUCTS

        Incorporated herein by reference is Note 6 entitled "Segment and Geographic Area Information" of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" and the sales information related to Humira® included in "Financial Review."


NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

        Abbott has four reportable revenue segments: Pharmaceutical Products, Nutritional Products, Diagnostic Products, and Vascular Products. Abbott also has a 50 percent owned joint venture, TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc.


*
As used throughout the text of this report on Form 10-K, the term "Abbott" refers to Abbott Laboratories, an Illinois corporation, or Abbott Laboratories and its consolidated subsidiaries, as the context requires.

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Pharmaceutical Products

        These products include a broad line of adult and pediatric pharmaceuticals manufactured, marketed and sold worldwide, which are available primarily on the prescription, or recommendation, of physicians. In 2007, Abbott announced a collaboration with Genentech, Inc. for the global research, development and commercialization of two of Abbott's investigational anti-cancer compounds.

        The principal products included in the Pharmaceutical Products segment are:

        The Pharmaceutical Products segment markets most of its products worldwide and generally sells its products directly to wholesalers, government agencies, health care facilities, specialty pharmacies and independent retailers from Abbott-owned distribution centers and public warehouses. Certain products are co-marketed or co-promoted with other companies. Some of these products are marketed and distributed through distributors. This segment directs its primary marketing efforts toward securing the prescription of Abbott's brand of products by physicians. Managed care providers (for example, health maintenance organizations and pharmacy benefit managers) and state and federal governments and agencies (for example, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the United States Department of Defense) are also important customers.

        Competition in the Pharmaceutical Products segment is generally from other health care and pharmaceutical companies. The search for technological innovations in pharmaceutical products is a significant aspect of competition in this segment. The introduction of new products by competitors and changes in medical practices and procedures can result in product obsolescence in the Pharmaceutical

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Products segment. Price can also be a factor. In addition, the substitution of generic drugs for the brand prescribed has increased competitive pressures on pharmaceutical products that are off-patent.

Diagnostic Products

        These products include diagnostic systems and tests for blood banks, hospitals, commercial laboratories, physicians' offices, alternate-care testing sites, and plasma protein therapeutic companies.

        The principal products included in the Diagnostic Products segment are:

        In addition, under its strategic alliance with Celera Group, a part of the Applera Corporation, the Diagnostic Products segment develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of in vitro molecular diagnostic products for disease detection, disease progression monitoring, and therapy selection.

        The Diagnostic Products segment markets its products worldwide. These products are generally marketed and sold directly to hospitals, laboratories, clinics, and physicians' offices from Abbott-owned distribution centers and public warehouses. Outside the United States, sales are made either directly to customers or through distributors, depending on the market served.

        The Diagnostic Products segment's products are subject to competition in technological innovation, price, convenience of use, service, instrument warranty provisions, product performance, long-term supply contracts, and product potential for overall cost-effectiveness and productivity gains. Some products in this segment can be subject to rapid product obsolescence. Although Abbott has benefited from technological advantages of certain of its current products, these advantages may be reduced or eliminated as competitors introduce new products.

Nutritional Products

        These products include a broad line of pediatric and adult nutritional products manufactured, marketed and sold worldwide. These products are generally sold to institutions, wholesalers, retailers, health care facilities and government agencies.

        Principal products in the Nutritional Products segment include:

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        The Nutritional Products segment's products are distributed from Abbott-owned distribution centers or public warehouses.

        Primary marketing efforts for nutritional products are directed toward securing the recommendation of Abbott's brand of products by physicians or other health care professionals. In addition, certain nutritional products sold as PediaSure®, PediaSure® NutriPals™, Ensure®, EAS®/Myoplex®, and Glucerna® are also promoted directly to the public by consumer marketing efforts. These products are generally sold directly to retailers and wholesalers.

        Competition for nutritional products in the segment is generally from other diversified consumer and health care manufacturers. Competitive factors include consumer advertising, formulation, packaging, scientific innovation, price, and availability of private label product forms. A significant aspect of competition is the search for technological innovations. The introduction of new products by competitors and changes in medical practices and procedures can result in product obsolescence. In addition, private labels may increase competitive pressure.

Vascular Products

        These products include a broad line of coronary, endovascular and vessel closure devices used in the treatment of vascular disease.

        The principal products included in the Vascular Products segment are:

        The Vascular Products segment markets its products worldwide. These products are generally marketed and sold directly to hospitals from Abbott-owned distribution centers and public warehouses. Outside the United States, sales are made either directly to customers or through distributors, depending on the market served.

        The Vascular Products segment's products are subject to competition in technological innovation, price, convenience of use, service, product performance, long-term supply contracts, and product potential for overall cost-effectiveness and productivity gains. Some products in this segment can be subject to rapid product obsolescence. Although Abbott has benefited from technological advantages of certain of its current products, these advantages may be reduced or eliminated as competitors introduce new products.

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Other Products

        The principle products in Abbott's other businesses include blood glucose monitoring meters, test strips, data management software and accessories for people with diabetes, including the FreeStyle® product line. These products are mostly marketed worldwide and generally sold directly to wholesalers, government agencies, health care facilities, mail order pharmacies, and independent retailers from Abbott-owned distribution centers and public warehouses. Some of these products are marketed and distributed through distributors. Blood glucose monitoring meters are also marketed and sold over-the-counter to consumers. These products are subject to competition in technological innovation, price, convenience of use, service, product performance, and these products can be subject to rapid product obsolescence.

TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc.

        Under an agreement between Abbott and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Limited of Japan (Takeda), TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. (owned 50 percent by Abbott and 50 percent by an affiliate of Takeda), together with its subsidiary, TAP Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TAP), develops and markets pharmaceutical products primarily for the United States. TAP markets Lupron®, an LH-RH analog, and Lupron Depot®, a sustained release form of Lupron®, in the United States. Lupron® and Lupron Depot® are used principally for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer, for the treatment of endometriosis and central precocious puberty and for the preoperative treatment of patients with anemia caused by uterine fibroids. TAP also markets Prevacid® (lansoprazole), a proton pump inhibitor. Its principal indications are for short-term treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, duodenal ulcers, gastric ulcers, and erosive esophagitis. In addition, TAP co-promotes two products: Amitiza®, which is indicated for chronic idiopathic constipation, and Rozerem™, which is indicated for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty with sleep onset.

        TAP's products are generally sold directly to physicians, retailers, wholesalers, health care facilities, and government agencies. In most cases, they are distributed for TAP from Abbott-owned distribution centers. Primary marketing efforts for pharmaceutical products are directed toward securing the prescription of TAP's brand of products by physicians. Managed care purchasers (for example, health maintenance organizations and pharmacy benefit managers) are increasingly important customers.

        Competition is generally from other pharmaceutical companies. A significant aspect of competition is the search for technological innovations. The introduction of new products by competitors and changes in medical practices and procedures can result in product obsolescence. Price can also be a factor. In addition, the availability of over-the-counter drugs or the substitution of generic drugs for the brand prescribed has increased competitive pressures with respect to managed care purchasers.

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INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO ABBOTT'S BUSINESS IN GENERAL

Sources and Availability of Raw Materials

        Abbott purchases, in the ordinary course of business, raw materials and supplies essential to Abbott's operations from numerous suppliers in the United States and abroad. There have been no recent significant availability problems or supply shortages.

Patents, Trademarks, and Licenses

        Abbott is aware of the desirability for patent and trademark protection for its products. Accordingly, where possible, patents and trademarks are sought and obtained for Abbott's products in the United States and all countries of major marketing interest to Abbott. Abbott owns and is licensed under a substantial number of patents and patent applications. Principal trademarks and the products they cover are discussed in the Narrative Description of Business on pages 1 through 5. These, and various patents which expire during the period 2008 to 2027, in the aggregate are believed to be of material importance in the operation of Abbott's business. Abbott believes that no single patent, license, trademark (or related group of patents, licenses, or trademarks), except for those related to adalimumab (which is sold under the trademark Humira®), are material in relation to Abbott's business as a whole. The United States composition of matter (i.e., compound) patents covering adalimumab will expire in 2016. In addition, the following patents, licenses, and trademarks are significant for Abbott's Pharmaceutical Products segment: those related to divalproex sodium (which is sold under the trademark Depakote®), those related to lansoprazole (which is sold under the trademarks Prevacid® and Ogastro®), those related to lopinavir/ritonavir (which is sold under the trademarks Kaletra® and Aluvia®), those related to fenofibrate (which is sold under the trademark TriCor®), and those related to niacin (which is sold under the trademark Niaspan®). The United States composition of matter patents covering divalproex sodium will expire in 2008. The principal United States non-composition of matter patents covering the extended release form of divalproex sodium will expire in 2018. The United States composition of matter patent covering lansoprazole is licensed by TAP from Takeda and will expire in 2009. The United States composition of matter patent covering lopinavir will expire in 2015. The United States composition of matter patents covering ritonavir will expire in 2015. The United States non-composition of matter patent covering lopinavir/ritonavir will expire in 2016. The principal United States non-composition of matter patents covering the fenofibrate products will expire in 2011, 2018, 2020, and 2023. The principal United States non-composition of matter patents covering the niacin products will expire in 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2018. Some patents under license in the Vascular Products segment related to rapid exchange technology expire in 2008, but the impact is not expected to be material. Litigation related to the products listed above is discussed in Legal Proceedings on pages 16 through 19.

        Although the expiration of a composition of matter patent may lead to increased competition, in most cases Abbott owns or has a license to other patents that expire after the composition of matter patent related to particular formulations, uses, or processes for manufacturing the pharmaceutical. These non-composition of matter patents and Abbott's other intellectual property, along with such other factors as a competitor's need to obtain regulatory approvals prior to marketing a competitive product and the nature of the market, may allow Abbott to continue to maintain exclusivity or have other commercial advantages after the expiration of the composition of matter patent.

Seasonal Aspects, Customers, Backlog, and Renegotiation

        There are no significant seasonal aspects to Abbott's business. The incidence of certain infectious diseases which occur at various times in different areas of the world does, however, affect the demand for Abbott's anti-infective products. Orders for Abbott's products are generally filled on a current basis, and order backlog is not material to Abbott's business. Abbott has no single customer that, if the customer

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were lost, would have a material adverse effect on Abbott. No material portion of Abbott's business is subject to renegotiation of profits or termination of contracts at the election of the government.

Research and Development

        Abbott spent $2,505,649,000 in 2007, $2,255,271,000 in 2006, and $1,821,175,000 in 2005 on research to discover and develop new products and processes and to improve existing products and processes. The majority of research and development expenditures is concentrated on pharmaceutical products.

Environmental Matters

        Abbott believes that its operations comply in all material respects with applicable laws and regulations concerning environmental protection. Regulations under federal and state environmental laws impose stringent limitations on emissions and discharges to the environment from various manufacturing operations. Abbott's capital and operating expenditures for pollution control in 2007 were approximately $16 million and $59 million, respectively. Capital and operating expenditures for pollution control in 2008 are estimated to be $12 million and $63 million, respectively.

        Abbott has been identified as one of many potentially responsible parties in investigations and/or remediations at several locations in the United States including Puerto Rico under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, commonly known as Superfund. Abbott is also engaged in remediation at several other sites, some of which are owned by Abbott, in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or similar agencies. While it is not feasible to predict with certainty the final costs related to those investigations and remediation activities, Abbott believes that such costs, together with other expenditures to maintain compliance with applicable laws and regulations concerning environmental protection, should not have a material adverse effect on Abbott's financial position, cash flows, or operations.

Employees

        Abbott employed approximately 68,000 persons as of December 31, 2007.

Regulation

        The development, manufacture, sale, and distribution of Abbott's products are subject to comprehensive government regulation. Government regulation by various federal, state, and local agencies, both domestically and abroad, which includes detailed inspection of, and controls over, research and laboratory procedures, clinical investigations, product approvals and manufacturing, marketing and promotion, sampling, distribution, record keeping, storage, and disposal practices, and achieving compliance with these regulations, substantially increases the time, difficulty, and costs incurred in obtaining and maintaining the approval to market newly developed and existing products. Government regulatory actions can result in delay in the release of products, seizure or recall of products, suspension or revocation of the authority necessary for their production and sale, and other civil or criminal sanctions. In addition, governmental regulatory agencies require prescription drug and medical device manufacturers to pay fees, such as application, product, and establishment fees.

        Abbott is a party to a consent decree entered in 1999 that requires Abbott to ensure its diagnostics manufacturing processes in Lake County, Illinois conform with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Quality System Regulation and restricts the sale in the United States of certain products in the Diagnostics Product segment. In 2003, the FDA concluded that those operations were in substantial conformity.

        International operations are also subject to a significant degree of government regulation and country-specific rules and regulations. Many countries, directly or indirectly, through reimbursement

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limitations, control the selling price of most health care products. Furthermore, many countries limit the importation of raw materials and finished products.

        Continuing studies of the utilization, safety, efficacy, and outcomes of health care products and their components are being conducted by industry, government agencies, and others. Such studies, which employ increasingly sophisticated methods and techniques, can call into question the utilization, safety, and efficacy of previously marketed products and in some cases have resulted, and may in the future result, in the discontinuance of marketing of such products and may give rise to claims for damages from persons who believe they have been injured as a result of their use.

        Access to and the cost of human health care products continues to be a subject of investigation and action by governmental agencies, legislative bodies, and private organizations in the United States and other countries. In the United States, most states have enacted generic substitution legislation requiring or permitting a dispensing pharmacist to substitute a different manufacturer's version of a pharmaceutical product for the one prescribed. In addition, the federal government follows a diagnosis-related group (DRG) payment system for certain institutional services provided under Medicare or Medicaid and has implemented a prospective payment system (PPS) for services delivered in hospital outpatient, nursing home, and home health settings. DRG and PPS entitle a health care facility to a fixed reimbursement based on diagnosis rather than actual costs incurred in patient treatment, thereby increasing the incentive for the facility to limit or control expenditures for many health care products. Under federal law, manufacturers must pay certain statutorily-prescribed rebates to state Medicaid programs on prescription drugs reimbursed under state Medicaid plans. In addition, a majority of states are seeking additional rebates. The Veterans Health Care Act of 1992 requires manufacturers to extend additional discounts on pharmaceutical products to various federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, Public Health Service entities and institutions, as well as certain other covered entities.

        In the United States, governmental cost containment efforts have extended to the federally funded Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). All states are mandated to have in place a cost containment program for infant formula. As a result, states obtain rebates from manufacturers of infant formula whose products are used in the program through competitive bidding.

        Abbott expects debate to continue during 2008 at all government levels over marketing, availability, method of delivery, and payment for health care products and services. Abbott believes that if legislation is enacted, it could have the effect of limiting patient access, reducing prices, or reducing the rate of price increases, for health care products and services.

        Efforts to reduce health care costs are also being made in the private sector. Health care providers have responded by instituting various cost reduction and containment measures.

        It is not possible to predict the extent to which Abbott or the health care industry in general might be affected by the matters discussed above.


INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS

        Abbott markets products in approximately 130 countries through affiliates and distributors. Most of the products discussed in the preceding sections of this report are also sold outside the United States. In addition, certain products of a local nature and variations of product lines to meet local regulatory requirements and marketing preferences are manufactured and marketed to customers outside the United States. International operations are subject to certain additional risks inherent in conducting business outside the United States, including price and currency exchange controls, changes in currency exchange rates, limitations on foreign participation in local enterprises, expropriation, nationalization, and other governmental action.

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INTERNET INFORMATION

        Copies of Abbott's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available free of charge through Abbott's investor relations website (www.abbottinvestor.com) as soon as reasonably practicable after Abbott electronically files the material with, or furnishes it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

        Abbott's corporate governance guidelines, outline of directorship qualifications, code of business conduct and the charters of Abbott's audit committee, compensation committee, nominations and governance committee, and public policy committee are all available on Abbott's investor relations website (www.abbottinvestor.com) or by sending a request for a paper copy to: Abbott Laboratories, 100 Abbott Park Road, Dept. 362, AP6D2, Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6048, attn. Investor Relations.

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ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

        In addition to the other information in this report, the following risk factors should be considered before deciding to invest in any of Abbott's securities. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to Abbott, or risks Abbott currently considers immaterial, could also affect Abbott's actual results. Abbott's business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks.

Abbott may acquire other businesses, license rights to technologies or products, form alliances, or dispose of or spin-off businesses, which could cause it to incur significant expenses and could negatively affect profitability.

        Abbott may pursue acquisitions, technology licensing arrangements, and strategic alliances, or dispose of or spin-off some of its businesses, as part of its business strategy. Abbott may not complete these transactions in a timely manner, on a cost-effective basis, or at all, and may not realize the expected benefits. If Abbott is successful in making an acquisition, the products and technologies that are acquired may not be successful or may require significantly greater resources and investments than originally anticipated. Abbott may not be able to integrate acquisitions successfully into its existing business and could incur or assume significant debt and unknown or contingent liabilities. Abbott could also experience negative effects on its reported results of operations from acquisition or disposition-related charges, amortization of expenses related to intangibles and charges for impairment of long-term assets. These effects could cause a deterioration of Abbott's credit rating and result in increased borrowing costs and interest expense.

The expiration or loss of patent protection and licenses may affect Abbott's future revenues and operating income.

        Many of Abbott's businesses rely on patent and trademark and other intellectual property protection. Although most of the challenges to Abbott's intellectual property have come from other businesses, governments may also challenge intellectual property protections. To the extent Abbott's intellectual property is successfully challenged, invalidated, or circumvented or to the extent it does not allow Abbott to compete effectively, Abbott's business will suffer. To the extent that countries do not enforce Abbott's intellectual property rights or to the extent that countries require compulsory licensing of its intellectual property, Abbott's future revenues and operating income will be reduced. Abbott's principal patents and trademarks are described in greater detail in the sections captioned, "Patents, Trademarks, and Licenses" and "Financial Review," and litigation regarding these patents is described in the section captioned "Legal Proceedings."

        Abbott faces increasing competition from lower-cost generic products. The expiration or loss of patent protection for a product typically is followed promptly by generic substitutes, that may significantly reduce Abbott's sales for that product in a short amount of time. If Abbott fails to maintain its competitive position, because of generics or otherwise, it could have a material adverse effect on its revenues, margins, business and results of operations.

Competitors' intellectual property may prevent Abbott from selling its products or have a material adverse effect on Abbott's future profitability and financial condition.

        Competitors may claim that an Abbott product infringes upon their intellectual property. Resolving an intellectual property infringement claim can be costly and time consuming and may require Abbott to enter into royalty or license agreements. If this should be necessary, Abbott cannot guarantee that it would be able to obtain royalty or license agreements on commercially reasonable terms. A successful claim of patent or other intellectual property infringement could subject Abbott to significant damages or an

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injunction preventing the manufacture, sale or use of affected Abbott products. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on Abbott's profitability and financial condition.

Abbott is subject to cost-containment efforts that could cause a reduction in future revenues and operating income.

        In the United States and other countries, Abbott's businesses have experienced downward pressure on product pricing. Cost-containment efforts by governments and private organizations are described in greater detail in the section captioned "Regulation." To the extent these cost containment efforts are not offset by greater patient access to healthcare or other factors, Abbott's future revenues and operating income will be reduced.

Abbott is subject to numerous governmental regulations and it can be costly to comply with these regulations and to develop compliant products and processes.

        Abbott's products are subject to rigorous regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and numerous international, supranational, federal and state authorities. The process of obtaining regulatory approvals to market a drug or medical device can be costly and time-consuming, and approvals might not be granted for future products, or additional indications or uses of existing products, on a timely basis, if at all. Delays in the receipt of, or failure to obtain approvals for, future products, or new indications and uses, could result in delayed realization of product revenues, reduction in revenues, and in substantial additional costs.

        In addition, no assurance can be given that Abbott will remain in compliance with applicable FDA and other regulatory requirements once clearance or approval has been obtained for a product. These requirements include, among other things, regulations regarding manufacturing practices, product labeling and advertising and postmarketing reporting, including adverse event reports and field alerts due to manufacturing quality concerns. Many of Abbott's facilities and procedures and those of Abbott's suppliers are subject to ongoing regulation, including periodic inspection by the FDA and other regulatory authorities. Abbott must incur expense and spend time and effort to ensure compliance with these complex regulations. Possible regulatory actions could include warning letters, fines, damages, injunctions, civil penalties, recalls, seizures of Abbott's products and criminal prosecution. These actions could result in, among other things, substantial modifications to Abbott's business practices and operations; refunds, recalls or seizures of Abbott's products; a total or partial shutdown of production in one or more of Abbott's facilities while Abbott or Abbott's suppliers remedy the alleged violation; the inability to obtain future pre-market clearances or approvals; and withdrawals or suspensions of current products from the market. Any of these events could disrupt Abbott's business and have a material adverse effect on Abbott's revenues, profitability and financial condition.

Laws and regulations affecting government benefit programs could impose new obligations on Abbott, require Abbott to change its business practices, and restrict its operations in the future.

        Abbott's industry is also subject to various federal, state and international laws and regulations pertaining to government benefit program reimbursement, price reporting and regulation, and health care fraud and abuse, including anti-kickback and false claims laws, the Medicaid Rebate Statute, the Veterans Health Care Act and individual state laws relating to pricing and sales and marketing practices. Violations of these laws may be punishable by criminal and/or civil sanctions, including, in some instances, substantial fines, imprisonment and exclusion from participation in federal and state health care programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans Administration health programs. These laws and regulations are broad in scope and they are subject to evolving interpretations, which could require Abbott to incur substantial costs associated with compliance or to alter one or more of its sales or marketing practices. In addition, violations of these laws, or allegations of such violations, could disrupt Abbott's business and result in a material adverse effect on Abbott's revenues, profitability and financial condition.

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Abbott's research and development efforts may not succeed in developing commercially successful products and technologies, which may cause Abbott's revenue and profitability to decline.

        To remain competitive, Abbott must continue to launch new products and technologies. To accomplish this, Abbott commits substantial efforts, funds, and other resources to research and development. A high rate of failure is inherent in the research and development of new products and technologies. Abbott must make ongoing substantial expenditures without any assurance that its efforts will be commercially successful. Failure can occur at any point in the process, including after significant funds have been invested.

        Promising new product candidates may fail to reach the market or may only have limited commercial success because of efficacy or safety concerns, failure to achieve positive clinical outcomes, inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals, limited scope of approved uses, excessive costs to manufacture, the failure to establish or maintain intellectual property rights, or infringement of the intellectual property rights of others. Even if Abbott successfully develops new products or enhancements or new generations of Abbott's existing products, they may be quickly rendered obsolete by changing customer preferences or changing industry standards. Innovations may not be accepted quickly in the marketplace because of, among other things, entrenched patterns of clinical practice or uncertainty over third-party reimbursement. Abbott cannot state with certainty when or whether any of its products under development will be launched, whether it will be able to develop, license or otherwise acquire compounds or products, or whether any products will be commercially successful. Failure to launch successful new products or new indications for existing products may cause Abbott's products to become obsolete, causing Abbott's revenues and operating results to suffer.

New products and technological advances by Abbott's competitors may negatively affect Abbott's results of operations.

        Abbott's products face intense competition from its competitors' products. Competitors' products may be safer, more effective, more effectively marketed or sold, or have lower prices or superior performance features than Abbott's products. Abbott cannot predict with certainty the timing or impact of the introduction of competitive products.

The manufacture of many of Abbott's products is a highly exacting and complex process, and if Abbott or one of its suppliers encounters problems manufacturing products, Abbott's business could suffer.

        The manufacture of many of Abbott's products is a highly exacting and complex process, due in part to strict regulatory requirements. Problems may arise during manufacturing for a variety of reasons, including equipment malfunction, failure to follow specific protocols and procedures, problems with raw materials, natural disasters and environmental factors. If problems arise during the production of a batch of product, that batch of product may have to be discarded. This could, among other things, lead to increased costs, lost revenue, damage to customer relations, time and expense spent investigating the cause and, depending on the cause, similar losses with respect to other batches or products. If problems are not discovered before the product is released to the market, recall and product liability costs may also be incurred. To the extent Abbott or one of its suppliers experiences significant manufacturing problems, this could have a material adverse effect on Abbott's revenues and profitability.

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The international nature of Abbott's business subjects it to additional business risks that may cause its revenue and profitability to decline.

        Abbott's business is subject to risks associated with doing business internationally. Sales outside of the United States make up approximately 50% of Abbott's net sales. The risks associated with Abbott's operations outside the United States include:

These risks may, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on Abbott's revenues and profitability.

Significant safety issues could arise for Abbott's products, which could have a material adverse effect on Abbott's revenues and financial condition.

        All health care products receive regulatory approval based on data obtained in controlled clinical trials of limited duration. Following regulatory approval, these products will be used over longer periods of time in many patients. Investigators may also conduct additional, and perhaps more extensive, studies. If new safety issues are reported, Abbott may be required to amend the conditions of use for a product. For example, Abbott may be required to provide additional warnings on a product's label or narrow its approved indication, either of which could reduce the product's market acceptance. If serious safety issues with an Abbott product arise, sales of the product could be halted by Abbott or by regulatory authorities.

        In addition, in the ordinary course of business, Abbott is the subject of product liability claims and lawsuits alleging that its products have resulted or could result in an unsafe condition for or injury to patients. Product liability claims and lawsuits and safety alerts or product recalls, regardless of their ultimate outcome, may have a material adverse effect on Abbott's business and reputation and on Abbott's ability to attract and retain customers. Product liability claims could have a material adverse effect on Abbott's profitability and financial condition.

Other factors can have a material adverse effect on Abbott's future profitability and financial condition.

        Many other factors can affect Abbott's profitability and its financial condition, including:

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that are based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "forecasts," variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Certain factors, including but not limited to those identified under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" of this Form 10-K, may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations, estimates, projections, forecasts and from past results. No assurance can be made that any expectation, estimate or projection contained in a forward-looking statement will be achieved or will not be affected by the factors cited above or other future events. Abbott undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as the result of subsequent events or developments.

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ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

        None.

ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES

        Abbott's corporate offices are located at 100 Abbott Park Road, Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6400. The locations of Abbott's principal plants, as of December 31, 2007, are listed below.

Location

  Segments of Products Produced

Abbott Park, Illinois   Pharmaceutical and Diagnostic Products
Alameda, California*   Non-Reportable
Altavista, Virginia   Nutritional Products
Barceloneta, Puerto Rico   Pharmaceutical and Diagnostic Products
Brockville, Canada   Nutritional Products
Campoverde di Aprilia, Italy   Pharmaceutical Products
Casa Grande, Arizona   Nutritional Products
Clonmel, Ireland   Vascular Products
Columbus, Ohio   Nutritional Products
Cootehill, Ireland   Nutritional Products
Dartford, England*   Diagnostic Products
Des Plaines, Illinois   Diagnostic Products
Edison, New Jersey*   Pharmaceutical Products
Fairfield, California*   Nutritional Products
Granada, Spain   Nutritional Products
Irving, Texas   Diagnostic Products
Jayuya, Puerto Rico   Pharmaceutical Products
Katsuyama, Japan   Pharmaceutical Products
Longford, Ireland   Diagnostic Products
Ludwigshafen, Germany   Pharmaceutical Products
Mexico City, Mexico   Pharmaceutical Products
North Chicago, Illinois   Pharmaceutical Products
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada*   Diagnostic Products
Redwood City, California*   Vascular Products
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil   Pharmaceutical Products
Santa Clara, California   Diagnostic Products
Sligo, Ireland   Nutritional and Diagnostic Products
South Pasadena, California   Diagnostic Products
Sturgis, Michigan   Nutritional Products
Temecula, California   Vascular Products
Whippany, New Jersey   Pharmaceutical Products
Wiesbaden, Delkenheim, Germany   Diagnostic Products
Witney, Oxon, England   Non-Reportable
Worcester, Massachusetts   Pharmaceutical Products
Zwolle, the Netherlands   Nutritional Products

*
Leased property

        In addition to the above, Abbott has manufacturing facilities in six other locations in the United States, including Puerto Rico. Outside the United States, manufacturing facilities are located in fourteen other countries. Abbott's facilities are deemed suitable and provide adequate productive capacity.

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        In the United States, including Puerto Rico, Abbott owns nine distribution centers. Outside the United States, Abbott owns eight distribution centers. Abbott also has eighteen United States research and development facilities located at: Abbott Park, Illinois; Alameda, California; Austin, Texas; Columbus, Ohio (two locations); Des Plaines, Illinois; East Windsor, New Jersey; Fairfield, California; Irving, Texas; Long Grove, Illinois; Mountain View, California; North Chicago, Illinois; Parsippany, New Jersey; Redwood City, California; Santa Clara, California (two locations); Temecula, California; and Worcester, Massachusetts. Outside the United States, Abbott has research and development facilities in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

        Except as noted, the corporate offices, and those principal plants in the United States listed above, are owned by Abbott or subsidiaries of Abbott. The remaining manufacturing plants and all other facilities are owned or leased by Abbott or subsidiaries of Abbott. There are no material encumbrances on the properties.

ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

        Abbott is involved in various claims, legal proceedings and investigations, including (as of January 31, 2008) those described below.

        A case is pending against Abbott in the Eastern District of Texas, in which New York University (NYU) and Centocor, Inc. assert that Humira® infringes a patent co-owned by NYU and Centocor and exclusively licensed to Centocor. The complaint asserts that Abbott has willfully infringed the patent and seeks damages, including treble damages. The complaint does not seek injunctive relief.

        Several lawsuits are pending against Abbott, Fournier Industrie et Sante, and Laboratoires Fournier, S.A. (Fournier), alleging antitrust and unfair competition claims in connection with the sale of fenofibrate formulations. One purported class action, Paul T. Regan (filed in July 2005), is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Fourteen other purported class actions and six individual actions are pending in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware: Alberto Litter (filed in August 2005), Allied Services Division Welfare Fund and Hector Valdes (filed in June 2005), American Sales Company, Inc. (filed in March 2006), Cindy Cronin (filed in July 2005), Diana Kim (filed in June 2005), Local 28 Sheet Metal Workers (filed in July 2005), Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company,  Inc. (filed in June 2005), Meijer, Inc. (filed in June 2005), Painters District Council No. 30 Health and Welfare Fund (filed in June 2005), Pennsylvania Employees Benefit Trust Fund (filed in June 2005), Philadelphia Federation of Teachers Health and Welfare Fund (filed in July 2005), Elaine M. Pullman (filed in June 2005), Rochester Drug Co-Operative, Inc. (filed in June 2005), Charles M. Shain (filed in July 2005), and Vista Healthplan, Inc. (filed in June 2005), CVS Pharmacy, Inc. (filed in August 2005), Impax Laboratories (filed in June 2005), Pacificare Health Systems,  Inc. (filed in August 2005), Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. (filed in June 2005), and Walgreen Co. (filed in June 2005). The plaintiffs seek actual damages, treble damages and other relief.

        A number of cases, brought as purported class actions or representative actions on behalf of individuals or entities, are pending that allege generally that Abbott and numerous other pharmaceutical companies reported false pricing information in connection with certain drugs that are reimbursable under Medicare and Medicaid and by private payors. These cases, brought by private plaintiffs, the United States Department of Justice, state Attorneys General, and other state government entities, generally seek monetary damages and/or injunctive relief and attorneys' fees. Abbott has filed or intends to file a response in each case denying all substantive allegations. The federal court cases have been consolidated for pre-trial purposes in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts under the Multi District Litigation Rules as In re: Pharmaceutical Industry Average Wholesale Price Litigation, MDL 1456. MDL 1456 includes: (a) a purported class action case in which plaintiffs seek to certify nationwide classes of Medicare Part B consumers and third party payors and other consumers, filed in June 2003; (b) seven

16



state Attorneys General and two state county suits, including a consolidated New York counties/City of New York suit filed in June 2005; (c) a civil whistle-blower suit brought by the United States Department of Justice (filed in federal court in the Southern District of Florida in May 2006); and (d) a civil whistle-blower suit brought by Ven-A-Care of the Florida Keys, Inc., unsealed against Abbott in August 2007 and in which the United States declined to intervene. The MDL Court is transferring the case brought by the Montana Attorney General back to the Montana federal court for a ruling on defendants' motion for summary judgment.

        In addition, several cases are pending in state courts: State of West Virginia, filed in October 2001 in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County, West Virginia; Swanston, filed in March 2002 in the Superior Court for Maricopa County, Arizona; Commonwealth of Kentucky, filed in September 2003 in the Circuit Court of Franklin County, Kentucky; State of Ohio, filed in March 2004 in the Court of Common Pleas for Hamilton County, Ohio; Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, filed in March 2004 in the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania; State of Texas, filed in May 2004 in the District Court of Travis County, Texas; State of Wisconsin, filed in June 2004 in the Circuit Court of Dane County, Wisconsin; State of Alabama, filed in January 2005 in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County, Alabama; State of Illinois, filed in February 2005 in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois; County of Erie, filed in March 2005 in the Supreme Court of Erie County, New York; State of Mississippi, filed in October 2005 in the Circuit Court of Hinds County, Mississippi; State of Hawaii, filed in April 2006 in the First Circuit Court of Hawaii; County of Oswego, filed in August 2006 in the Supreme Court of Oswego County, New York; County of Schenectady, filed in August 2006 in the Supreme Court of Schenectady County, New York; State of South Carolina (on behalf of its state health plan), filed in August 2006 in the Court of Common Pleas, Fifth Judicial Circuit of Richland County, South Carolina; State of Alaska, filed in October 2006 in the Superior Court for the Third Judicial District in Anchorage, Alaska; and State of Idaho, filed in January 2007 in the District Court of the Fourth Judicial District in Ada County, Idaho. Certain state agencies, including the Attorney General of Florida, are also investigating these practices. While it is not feasible to predict with certainty the outcome of the proceedings and investigations related to pricing information for drugs reimbursable under Medicare and Medicaid, their ultimate dispositions could be material to cash flows or results of operations for a quarter.

        The Office of the Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services in conjunction with the United States Department of Justice, through the United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, the Western District of Louisiana, and the Middle District of Louisiana are investigating the sales and marketing practices of Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a company Abbott acquired in December 2006. In addition, the United States Attorney for Louisiana is investigating Kos' calculation and reporting of Medicaid rebates. The government is seeking to determine whether any of these practices resulted in any violations of civil and/or criminal laws, including the Federal False Claims Act, the Anti-Kickback Statute, and the Medicaid Rebate Statute in connection with the Medicare and/or Medicaid reimbursement paid to third parties.

        In addition, the United States Department of Justice, through the United States Attorney for Maryland, is investigating the sales and marketing practices of Abbott for Micardis®, a drug co-promoted for (until March 31, 2006) and manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim. The government is seeking to determine whether any of these practices resulted in any violations of civil and/or criminal laws, including the Federal False Claims Act, and the Anti-Kickback Statute in connection with the Medicare and/or Medicaid reimbursement paid to third parties.

        Abbott is a defendant in a class action lawsuit pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois under the name Myla Nauman, Jane Roller and Michael Loughery v. Abbott Laboratories and Hospira, Inc. The plaintiffs are former Abbott employees who allege that their transfer to Hospira, Inc., as part of the spin-off of Hospira, adversely affected their employee benefits in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and that in their transfer, Abbott breached a fiduciary duty to plaintiffs involving employee benefits. Plaintiffs generally seek reinstatement as Abbott employees, or reinstatement as participants in Abbott's employee benefit plans, or an award for the employee benefits

17



they have allegedly lost. Abbott filed a response denying all substantive allegations. As previously reported, the court granted plaintiffs' motion for class certification of the breach of fiduciary claim.

        A purported derivative lawsuit is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and was brought by Leonard Bronstein, an Abbott shareholder, on behalf of Abbott against Abbott and each member of its Board of Directors (the "Defendants"). The complaint alleges the Defendants breached their fiduciary responsibilities in connection with oversight of regulatory compliance with Food and Drug Administration regulations which caused unspecified injury or damage to the Company. Plaintiff seeks an unspecified amount of monetary damages for all losses Abbott suffered stemming from the alleged breach of fiduciary duty. The defendants have filed a motion to dismiss.

        Several lawsuits are pending against Abbott that generally allege antitrust violations in connection with the 2003 Norvir re-pricing. A consolidated class action on behalf of individual consumers, John Doe 1 (filed in April 2004), and third party payors, Service Employees International Union Health & Welfare Fund (filed in October 2004), is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. Several additional cases, including three purported class actions on behalf of direct purchasers, have been filed by Rite Aid, Inc. (filed in December 2007), Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company,  Inc. (filed in December 2007), GlaxoSmithKline (filed in November 2007), Meijer, Inc. (filed in November 2007), Rochester Drug Co-Operative, Inc. (filed in November 2007), and Safeway, Inc. (filed in October 2007) and are pending in United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The plaintiffs seek actual damages, treble and/or punitive damages, injunctive, and other relief.

        A case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in which Medtronic Vascular, Inc., Medtronic USA, Inc., and Medtronic Vascular Galway, Ltd. (collectively Medtronic) and Evysio Medical Devices ULC (Evysio) claim that Abbott's Multi-Link Vision®, Multi-Link Penta™, Multi-Link Zeta®, and Xience V™ Coronary stent systems infringe certain Evysio stent design patents. Medtronic and Evysio seek damages, an injunction, and other relief. Abbott has filed its response denying the infringement claims and asserting that the patents are invalid and/or unenforceable. Evysio has also brought lawsuits in France, Ireland (in which Medtronic is also a plaintiff) and Germany claiming that the Multi-Link Vision, Multi-Link Penta, and/or Xience V infringe the European counterparts of these patents. In France, a court enjoined the launch of the Xience V stent as designed as of 2006. Abbott appealed this decision and filed responses in each of these European courts denying the infringement claims and asserting that the patents are invalid. In the United Kingdom, Abbott filed an action seeking a declaration that its stents do not infringe Evysio's patents and that the patents are invalid. Evysio filed a counterclaim that accuses Abbott's stents of infringement and seeks a declaration of validity.

        A case is pending in the U.S. District Court for Delaware brought by Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., now an Abbott subsidiary, against Arterial Vascular Engineering, Inc. (now known as Medtronic Vascular, Inc.) alleging that certain models of Medtronic's stents infringe four of Abbott's Lau patents, and seeking injunctive relief and damages. The court bifurcated the issues of liability and damages. In February 2005, a jury found that Abbott's Lau patents were valid and infringed by all of the Medtronic stents in question, including its Driver® coronary stent. The court denied Medtronic's post-trial motions asking the court to enter a judgment in Medtronic's favor and/or for a new trial. In June 2005, the court held a hearing on Medtronic's claim that Abbott's patents are unenforceable. The court rejected Medtronic's claims of inequitable conduct. In June 2007, Abbott filed a motion seeking to enjoin Medtronic from infringing activities relating to their stent designs, and Medtronic filed a motion to stay proceedings related to the injunction. Medtronic's motion to stay was denied with respect to the named bare metal stents, and was granted with respect to the Endeavor stent pending further determinations.

        A case is pending in the U.S. District Court for New Jersey brought by Johnson & Johnson, Inc. and Cordis Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, (collectively Johnson & Johnson) against Abbott, in which Johnson & Johnson asserts infringement of certain of Johnson & Johnson's patents by Abbott's Xience V stent, and seeks an injunction, an award of damages, and a determination of

18



willful infringement. The previously reported cases in the U.S. District Court of Delaware were dismissed after Johnson & Johnson's granting of a covenant not to sue Abbott with respect to certain other patents held by Johnson & Johnson. In January 2008, Cordis Corporation and Wyeth filed suit in New Jersey accusing the Xience V stent of infringement of three additional patents. Abbott denies all substantive allegations.

        Abbott is seeking to enforce its patents relating to divalproex sodium (a drug Abbott sells under the trademark Depakote®). Abbott seeks injunctive relief against the following companies for their proposed generic versions of extended release Depakote: Sandoz Inc. (filed in December 2007), Zydus Pharmaceuticals (filed in December 2007), and Wockhardt Limited and Wockhardt USA Inc. (filed in May 2007), which are pending in the U.S. District Court for New Jersey; Impax Laboratories Inc. (filed in June 2007), and Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. (filed in May 2007), which are pending in the U.S. District Court for Delaware; Anchen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Anchen International Pharmaceuticals Company, Ltd. (one filed in December 2006 and two filed in August 2007), pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California; and Mylan Pharmaceuticals (one filed in November 2005 and another in April 2006), pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. In the cases related to delayed release Depakote, Abbott seeks injunctive relief: Nu-Pharm Inc., Apotex Inc., and Apotex Corp. (filed in June 2005 and May 2006), pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois; and Banner Pharmacaps Inc. (filed in November 2007).

        While it is not feasible to predict the outcome of such pending claims, proceedings and investigations with certainty, management is of the opinion that their ultimate dispositions should not have a material adverse effect on Abbott's financial position, cash flows, or results of operations, except as noted above.

ITEM 4.    SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

        None.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

        Executive officers of Abbott are elected annually by the board of directors. All other officers are elected by the board or appointed by the chairman of the board. All officers are either elected at the first meeting of the board of directors held after the annual shareholder meeting or appointed by the chairman after that board meeting. Each officer holds office until a successor has been duly elected or appointed and qualified or until the officer's death, resignation, or removal. Vacancies may be filled at any time by the board. Any officer may be removed by the board of directors when, in its judgment, removal would serve the best interests of Abbott. Any officer appointed by the chairman of the board may be removed by the chairman whenever, in the chairman's judgment, removal would serve the best interests of Abbott. A vacancy in any office appointed by the chairman of the board may be filled by the chairman.

        Abbott's executive officers, their ages as of February 15, 2008, and the dates of their first election as officers of Abbott are listed below. The executive officers' principal occupations and employment from January 2003 to February 15, 2008 are also shown. Unless otherwise stated, employment was by Abbott for the period indicated. There are no family relationships between any corporate officers or directors.

Miles D. White, 52

Richard W. Ashley, 64

John M. Capek, 46

Thomas C. Freyman, 53

Holger A. Liepmann, 56

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Edward L. Michael, 51

Laura J. Schumacher, 44

James L. Tyree, 54

Olivier Bohuon, 49

        Elected Corporate Officer — 2003.

Thomas F. Chen, 58

21


Stephen R. Fussell, 50

Robert B. Hance, 48

John C. Landgraf, 55

Donald V. Patton Jr., 55

Mary T. Szela, 44

Greg W. Linder, 51

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PART II

ITEM 5.    MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Principal Market

        The principal market for Abbott's common shares is the New York Stock Exchange. Shares are also listed on the Chicago Stock Exchange and are traded on the Boston, Philadelphia, and National Stock Exchanges, as well as on the NYSE Arca and NASDAQ iM markets. Outside the United States, Abbott's shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Swiss Stock Exchange.

 
  Market Price Per Share
 
  2007
  2006
 
  high
  low
  high
  low
First Quarter   $ 57.26   $ 48.75   $ 45.58   $ 39.18
Second Quarter     59.50     52.80     43.61     40.55
Third Quarter     56.91     49.58     49.87     43.25
Fourth Quarter     59.48     50.51     49.10     45.41

Shareholders

        There were 73,176 shareholders of record of Abbott common shares as of December 31, 2007.

Dividends

        Quarterly dividends of $.325 and $.295 per share were declared on common shares in 2007 and 2006, respectively.

        Abbott Laboratories is an Illinois High Impact Business (HIB) and is located in a federal Foreign Trade Sub-Zone (Sub-Zone 22F). Dividends may be eligible for a subtraction from base income for Illinois income tax purposes. If you have questions, please contact your tax advisor.

23


Performance Graph

        The following graph compares the change in Abbott's cumulative total shareholder return on its common shares with the Standard & Poor's 500 Index and the Standard & Poor's 500 Health Care Index.

GRAPHIC

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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Period

  (a) Total Number
of Shares
(or Units)
Purchased

  (b) Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)
  (c) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan or Programs
  (d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
 
October 1, 2007 — October 31, 2007   190,590 1 $ 54.110   0   $ 1,480,626,820  
November 1, 2007 — November 30, 2007   512,122 1 $ 56.046   0   $ 1,480,626,820  
December 1, 2007 — December 31, 2007   568,701 1 $ 57.954   0   $ 1,480,626,820  
Total   1,271,413 1 $ 56.609   0   $ 1,480,626,820 2

1.
These shares represent:

(i)
the shares deemed surrendered to Abbott to pay the exercise price in connection with the exercise of employee stock options — 178,590 in October; 496,122 in November; and 552,701 in December; and

(ii)
the shares purchased on the open market for the benefit of participants in the Abbott Canada Stock Retirement Plan — 12,000 in October; 16,000 in November; and 16,000 in December.
2.
On October 18, 2006, Abbott announced that its board of directors approved the purchase of up to $2.5 billion of its common shares.

ITEM 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 
  Year ended December 31
 
  2007
  2006
  2005
  2004
  2003
 
  (dollars in millions, except per share data)

Net sales (a)   $ 25,914.2   $22,476.3   $ 22,337.8   $ 19,680.0   $ 17,280.3
Earnings from continuing operations     3,606.3   1,716.8 (b)   3,372.1     3,175.8     2,504.7
Net earnings     3,606.3   1,716.8 (b)   3,372.1     3,235.9     2,753.2
Basic earnings per common share from continuing operations     2.34   1.12 (b)   2.17     2.03     1.60
Basic earnings per common share     2.34   1.12 (b)   2.17     2.07     1.76
Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations     2.31   1.12 (b)   2.16     2.02     1.59
Diluted earnings per common share     2.31   1.12 (b)   2.16     2.06     1.75
Total assets     39,713.9   36,178.2     29,141.2     28,767.5     26,039.3
Long-term debt     9,487.8   7,009.7     4,571.5     4,787.9     3,452.3
Cash dividends declared per common share     1.30   1.18     1.10     1.04     0.98

(a)
Net sales for 2003 have been adjusted to reflect the presentation of Hospira, Inc. as a discontinued operation.

(b)
In 2006, Abbott recorded pre-tax charges of $2,014 for acquired in-process and collaborations research and development primarily related to the acquisition of Guidant's vascular intervention and endovascular solutions businesses and Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc.

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ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Financial Review

        Abbott's revenues are derived primarily from the sale of a broad line of health care products under short-term receivable arrangements. Patent protection and licenses, technological and performance features, and inclusion of Abbott's products under a contract or by a pharmacy benefit manager most impact which products are sold; price controls, competition and rebates most impact the net selling prices of products; and foreign currency translation impacts the measurement of net sales and costs. Abbott's primary products are prescription pharmaceuticals, nutritional products, diagnostic testing products and vascular products. Abbott also owns 50 percent of TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. that Abbott accounts for on the equity method.

        The worldwide launch of additional indications of HUMIRA, the acquisitions of Guidant's vascular intervention and endovascular solutions businesses and Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc., the amendments ending the Boehringer Ingelheim agreement and the Synagis co-promotion agreement, the loss of patent protection for some pharmaceutical products, and realized gains and unrealized losses on the Boston Scientific common stock have impacted Abbott's sales, costs and financial position over the last three years.

        Pharmaceutical research and development is focused on therapeutic areas that include immunology, oncology, neuroscience, pain management, and infectious diseases. In 2003, Abbott began the worldwide launch of HUMIRA for rheumatoid arthritis, followed by launches for three additional indications, which increased HUMIRA's worldwide sales to $3.0 billion in 2007 compared to $2.0 billion in 2006, and $1.4 billion in 2005. Including the launch of a fifth indication in 2008, Abbott forecasts worldwide HUMIRA sales of approximately $4 billion in 2008. Substantial research and development and selling support has been and continues to be dedicated to maximizing the worldwide potential of HUMIRA. In December 2006, Abbott acquired Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. which complements Abbott's existing franchise in the dyslipidemia market and strengthened the pharmaceutical pipeline for cholesterol management. In 2005, Abbott and Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) amended their agreement whereby Abbott distributed and promoted BI products. Effective January 1, 2006, Abbott no longer distributed or recorded sales for distribution activities for the BI products. Abbott's gross margins for BI products from the prior agreement in effect through December 31, 2005 were substantially lower than its average gross margins. Sales of BI products were $150 million and $2.3 billion in 2006 and 2005, respectively. In addition, increased generic competition resulted in U.S. sales of Omnicef declining from $637 million in 2006 to $235 million in 2007, and worldwide sales of clarithromycin declining from $1.1 billion in 2005 to $724 million in 2007.

        On December 31, 2006, the U.S. co-promotion agreement for Synagis terminated. Revenues for co-promotion of Synagis were $373 million in 2006. Abbott's nutritional products businesses have been reorganized into a worldwide business to better leverage the opportunities available for strong nutritional brands. Significant efforts have been focused on capturing those opportunities, particularly in developing markets where growth has been strong.

        In April 2006, Abbott acquired Guidant's vascular intervention and endovascular solutions businesses and began to integrate it with Abbott's vascular business. The acquisition significantly improved Abbott's competitive position in this business that is characterized by rapid innovation. In 2006, Abbott received European Union approval to market the Xience V drug eluting stent, and Abbott is awaiting approval in the U.S.

        Abbott's diagnostic segment comprises three separate divisions — immunochemistry/hematology, point of care, and molecular. Subsequent to the termination of the agreement to sell the immunochemistry/hematology and point of care businesses to GE, Abbott has re-focused on managing and growing these businesses.

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        Abbott acquired 64.6 million shares of Boston Scientific in connection with Abbott's acquisition of the vascular intervention and endovascular solutions businesses of Guidant. In 2007, the net loss charged to expense for the investment was $153 million. At December 31, 2007, Abbott held 26.4 million shares of Boston Scientific common stock. Subsequent to year end, all of these shares were sold resulting in a small gain. Abbott's short- and long-term debt totaled $12.2 billion at December 31, 2007, largely incurred to finance recent acquisitions. Operating cash flows in excess of capital expenditures and cash dividends have partially funded acquisitions over the last three years. At December 31, 2007, Abbott's long-term debt rating was AA by Standard and Poor's Corporation and A1 by Moody's Investors Service.

        In 2008, Abbott will focus on several key initiatives. In the pharmaceutical business, Abbott will continue the launch of newly approved indications for HUMIRA and continue to leverage the product and pipeline opportunities of its lipid franchise, including the Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. business. Pharmaceutical research and development efforts will continue to focus on the therapeutic areas noted above with a significant portion of the development expenditures allocated to new HUMIRA indications, as well as Simcor and ABT-335, cholesterol drugs, ABT-335/Crestor fixed dose combination, ABT-874, a biologic for psoriasis and Crohn's disease, and controlled release Vicodin CR, as well as several Phase I and Phase II clinical programs in neuroscience and oncology. In the vascular business, Abbott will continue the launch of the Xience V drug-eluting stent internationally, and will launch in the U.S. upon approval by the FDA. For diabetes care, Abbott anticipates launching the FreeStyle Freedom Lite monitor in the U.S. as well as the FreeStyle Navigator. In the other business segments, Abbott will focus on developing or acquiring differentiated technologies in higher growth segments of those markets.

Critical Accounting Policies

        Sales Rebates — Approximately 48 percent of Abbott's consolidated gross revenues are subject to various forms of rebates and allowances that Abbott records as reductions of revenues at the time of sale. Most of these rebates and allowances are in the Pharmaceutical Products segment and the Nutritional Products segment. Abbott provides rebates to pharmacy benefit management companies, to state agencies that administer the federal Medicaid and Medicare programs and the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), wholesalers, group purchasing organizations, and other government agencies and private entities. Rebate amounts are usually based upon the volume of purchases using contractual or statutory prices for a product. Factors used in the rebate calculations include the identification of which products have been sold subject to a rebate, which customer or government agency price terms apply, and the estimated lag time between sale and payment of a rebate. Using historical trends, adjusted for current changes, Abbott estimates the amount of the rebate that will be paid, and records the liability as a reduction of gross sales when Abbott records its sale of the product. Settlement of the rebate generally occurs from two to 24 months after sale. Abbott regularly analyzes the historical rebate trends and makes adjustments to reserves for changes in trends and terms of rebate programs. Rebates and chargebacks charged against gross sales in 2007, 2006 and 2005 amounted to approximately $3.2 billion, $2.6 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively, or 21.5 percent, 23.2 percent, and 22.9 percent, respectively, based on gross sales of approximately $15.0 billion, $11.0 billion and $10.9 billion, respectively, subject to rebate. A one-percentage point increase in the percentage of rebates to related gross sales would decrease net sales and operating earnings by approximately $150 million in 2007. Abbott considers a one-percentage point increase to be a reasonably likely increase in the percentage of rebates to related gross sales. Other allowances charged against gross sales were approximately $325 million, $247 million and $284 million for cash discounts in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and $269 million, $209 million and $162 million for returns in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Cash discounts are known within 15 to 30 days of sale, and therefore can be reliably estimated. Returns can be reliably estimated because Abbott's historical returns are low, and because sales returns terms and other sales terms have remained relatively unchanged for several periods.

27


        Management analyzes the adequacy of ending rebate accrual balances each quarter. In the domestic nutritional business, management uses both internal and external data available to estimate the level of inventory in the distribution channel. Management has access to several large customers' inventory management systems, and for other customers, utilizes data from a third party that continuously measures time on the retail shelf. These sources allow management to make reliable estimates of inventory in the distribution channel. Except for a transition period before or after a change in the supplier for the WIC business in a state, inventory in the distribution channel does not vary substantially. Management also estimates the states' processing lag time based on claims data. In addition, internal processing time is a factor in estimating the accrual. In the WIC business, the state where the sale is made, which is the determining factor for the applicable price, is reliably determinable. Estimates are required for the amount of WIC sales within each state where Abbott has the WIC business. External data sources utilized for that estimate are participant data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which administers the WIC program, participant data from some of the states, and internally administered market surveys. The USDA has been making its data available for many years. Internal data includes historical redemption rates and pricing data. At December 31, 2007, Abbott had the exclusive WIC business in 27 states.

        In the domestic pharmaceutical business, the most significant charges against gross sales are for Medicaid and Medicare Rebates, Pharmacy Benefit Manager Rebates and Wholesaler Chargebacks. In order to evaluate the adequacy of the ending accrual balances, management uses both internal and external estimates of the level of inventory in the distribution channel and the rebate claims processing lag time. External data sources used to estimate the inventory in the distribution channel include inventory levels periodically reported by wholesalers and third party market data purchased by Abbott. Management estimates the processing lag time based on periodic sampling of claims data. To estimate the price rebate percentage, systems and calculations are used to track sales by product by customer and to estimate the contractual or statutory price. Abbott's systems and calculations have developed over time as rebates have become more significant, and Abbott believes they are reliable.

        The following table is an analysis of the four largest rebate accruals, which comprise approximately 74 percent of the consolidated rebate provisions charged against revenues in 2007. Remaining rebate provisions charged against gross sales are not significant in the determination of operating earnings. (dollars in thousands)

 
   
  Domestic Pharmaceutical Products
 
 
  Domestic Nutritionals WIC Rebates
  Medicaid and Medicare Rebates
  Pharmacy Benefit Manager Rebates
  Wholesaler Chargebacks
 
Balance at January 1, 2005   $ 98,047   $ 373,058   $ 153,798   $ 44,053  
Provisions     641,189     663,043     253,499     450,901  
Payments     (644,460 )   (581,098 )   (273,166 )   (446,867 )
   
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2005     94,776     455,003     134,131     48,087  
Provisions     636,849     527,860     281,221     532,847  
Payments     (595,477 )   (533,632 )   (246,456 )   (513,905 )
Business combination         36,191     50,675     20,189  
   
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2006     136,148     485,422     219,571     87,218  
Provisions     753,535     438,198     411,798     786,183  
Payments     (690,438 )   (503,580 )   (394,692 )   (781,547 )
   
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2007   $ 199,245   $ 420,040   $ 236,677   $ 91,854  
   
 
 
 
 

        Historically, adjustments to prior years' rebate accruals have not been material to net income. In 2007, adjustments were made to prior years' rebate accruals. The Medicaid and Medicare rebate accrual was reduced by approximately $69 million and the WIC rebate accrual was increased by approximately

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$19 million. Abbott employs various techniques to verify the accuracy of claims submitted to it, and where possible, works with the organizations submitting claims to gain insight into changes that might affect the rebate amounts. For Medicaid, Medicare and other government agency programs, the calculation of a rebate involves interpretations of relevant regulations, which are subject to challenge or change in interpretation.

        Income Taxes — Abbott operates in numerous countries where its income tax returns are subject to audits and adjustments. Because Abbott operates globally, the nature of the audit items are often very complex, and the objectives of the government auditors can result in a tax on the same income in more than one country. Abbott employs internal and external tax professionals to minimize audit adjustment amounts where possible. On January 1, 2007, Abbott adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48 "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes," which changed the measurement of tax contingencies. Under this Interpretation, in order to recognize an uncertain tax benefit, the taxpayer must be more likely than not of sustaining the position, and the measurement of the benefit is calculated as the largest amount that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon resolution of the benefit. Application of this Interpretation requires a significant amount of judgment. In the U.S., Abbott's federal income tax returns through 2003 are settled, and the income tax returns for years after 2003 are open. Abbott does not record deferred income taxes on earnings reinvested indefinitely in foreign subsidiaries.

        Pension and Post-Employment Benefits — Abbott offers pension benefits and post-employment health care to many of its employees. Abbott engages outside actuaries to calculate its obligations and costs under these programs. Abbott must develop long-term assumptions, the most significant of which are the health care cost trend rates, discount rate and the expected return on plan assets. The discount rates used to measure liabilities were determined based on high-quality fixed income securities that match the duration of the expected retiree benefits. The health care cost trend rates represent Abbott's expected annual rates of change in the cost of health care benefits and is a forward projection of health care costs as of the measurement date. A difference between the assumed rates and the actual rates, which will not be known for decades, can be significant in relation to the obligations and the annual cost recorded for these programs. Recent low interest rates have significantly increased actuarial losses for these plans. At December 31, 2007, pretax net actuarial losses and prior service costs and (credits) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for Abbott's defined benefit plans and medical and dental plans were $960 million and $408 million, respectively. Actuarial losses and gains are amortized over the remaining service attribution periods of the employees under the corridor method, in accordance with the rules for accounting for post-employment benefits. Differences between the expected long-term return on plan assets and the actual annual return are amortized over a five-year period. Footnote 4 to the consolidated financial statements describes the impact of a one-percentage point change in the health care cost trend rate; however, there can be no certainty that a change would be limited to only one percentage point. On December 31, 2006, Abbott adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 158 "Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans." The provisions of this statement require the recognition of the deferrals on the balance sheet with a corresponding charge to Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Adoption of this statement on December 31, 2006 resulted in a decrease in Abbott's shareholders' equity of approximately $1.3 billion.

        Valuation of Intangible Assets — Abbott has acquired and continues to acquire significant intangible assets that Abbott records at fair value. Those assets which do not yet have regulatory approval and for which there are no alternative uses are expensed as acquired in-process research and development, and those that have regulatory approval are capitalized. Transactions involving the purchase or sale of intangible assets occur with some frequency between companies in the health care field and valuations are usually based on a discounted cash flow analysis. The discounted cash flow model requires assumptions about the timing and amount of future net cash inflows, risk, the cost of capital, terminal values and market participants. Each of these factors can significantly affect the value of the intangible asset. Abbott engages independent valuation experts who review Abbott's critical assumptions and calculations for

29



significant acquisitions of intangibles. Abbott reviews intangible assets for impairment each quarter using an undiscounted net cash flows approach. If the undiscounted cash flows of an intangible asset are less than the carrying value of an intangible asset, the intangible asset is written down to its fair value, which is usually the discounted cash flow amount. Where cash flows cannot be identified for an individual asset, the review is applied at the lowest group level for which cash flows are identifiable. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually or when an event that could result in an impairment of goodwill occurs. At December 31, 2007, goodwill and intangibles amounted to $10.1 billion and $5.7 billion, respectively, and amortization expense for intangible assets amounted to $782 million in 2007. There were no impairments of goodwill in 2007, 2006 or 2005.

        Litigation — Abbott accounts for litigation losses in accordance with SFAS No. 5, "Accounting for Contingencies." Under SFAS No. 5, loss contingency provisions are recorded for probable losses at management's best estimate of a loss, or when a best estimate cannot be made, a minimum loss contingency amount is recorded. These estimates are often initially developed substantially earlier than the ultimate loss is known, and the estimates are refined each accounting period as additional information becomes known. Accordingly, Abbott is often initially unable to develop a best estimate of loss, and therefore the minimum amount, which could be zero, is recorded. As information becomes known, either the minimum loss amount is increased, resulting in additional loss provisions, or a best estimate can be made, also resulting in additional loss provisions. Occasionally, a best estimate amount is changed to a lower amount when events result in an expectation of a more favorable outcome than previously expected. Except for a patent case and the majority of cases relating to pharmaceutical pricing for which Abbott is unable to estimate a loss, if any, Abbott estimates the range of possible loss to be from approximately $110 million to $325 million for its legal proceedings and environmental exposures. Reserves of approximately $165 million have been recorded at December 31, 2007 for these proceedings and exposures. These reserves represent management's best estimate of probable loss, as defined by SFAS No. 5.

        Stock Compensation — On January 1, 2006, Abbott adopted SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), "Share-Based Payment," which requires that fair value of stock options be recorded in the results of operations. Since there is no market for trading employee stock options, management must use a fair value method. There is no certainty that the results of a fair value method would be the value at which employee stock options would be traded for cash. Fair value methods require management to make several assumptions, the most significant of which are the selection of a fair value model, stock price volatility and the average life of an option. Abbott has readily available grant-by-grant historical activity for several years in its option administration system that it uses in developing some of its assumptions. Abbott uses the Black-Scholes method to value stock options. The results of the Black-Scholes model are periodically compared to the binomial model and the results have been comparable. Abbott uses both historical volatility of its stock price and the implied volatility of currently traded options to develop the volatility assumptions. Abbott uses the historical grant activity, combined with expectations about future exercise activity, to develop the average life assumptions. Abbott has also used the historical grant data to evaluate whether certain holders of stock options exercised their options differently than other holders and has not found any differentiating pattern among holders.

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Results of Operations

Sales

        The following table details the components of sales growth by reportable segment for the last three years:

 
   
  Components of Change %
 
 
  Total % Change
 
 
  Price
  Volume
  Exchange
 
Total Net Sales                  

2007 vs. 2006

 

15.3

 

1.2

 

10.9

 

3.2

 
2006 vs. 2005   0.6   0.6   0.2   (0.2 )
2005 vs. 2004   13.5   0.1   12.1   1.3  

Total U.S.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007 vs. 2006

 

12.0

 

4.0

 

8.0

 


 
2006 vs. 2005   (7.5 ) 2.4   (9.9 )  
2005 vs. 2004   13.0   0.8   12.2    

Total International

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007 vs. 2006

 

18.8

 

(1.7

)

14.0

 

6.5

 
2006 vs. 2005   10.9   (1.3 ) 12.7   (0.5 )
2005 vs. 2004   14.2   (0.7 ) 12.0   2.9  

Pharmaceutical Products Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007 vs. 2006

 

18.0

 

2.4

 

12.3

 

3.3

 
2006 vs. 2005   (9.5 ) 1.8   (11.0 ) (0.3 )
2005 vs. 2004   14.9   0.6   13.0   1.3  

Nutritional Products Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007 vs. 2006

 

1.7

 

1.4

 

(1.4

)

1.7

 
2006 vs. 2005   9.6   (0.4 ) 9.7   0.3  
2005 vs. 2004   9.7   (0.5 ) 9.4   0.8  

Diagnostic Products Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007 vs. 2006

 

11.1

 

(0.6

)

7.0

 

4.7

 
2006 vs. 2005   5.7   (1.1 ) 7.4   (0.6 )
2005 vs. 2004   3.9   (1.2 ) 3.2   1.9  

Vascular Products Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007 vs. 2006

 

53.8

 

(4.7

)

55.4

 

3.1

 
2006 vs. 2005   327.7   (4.6 ) 333.2   (0.9 )
2005 vs. 2004   14.7   (0.4 ) 14.5   0.6  

        Worldwide 2007 sales compared to 2006 reflect the acquisitions of Guidant's vascular intervention and endovascular solutions businesses on April 21, 2006 and Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. in the fourth quarter of 2006. In addition, the Pharmaceutical Products segment had an agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) to co-promote and distribute three of its products in the U.S. In 2005, Abbott and BI amended the agreement and effective January 1, 2006, Abbott no longer distributed or recorded sales for distribution activities for the BI products although Abbott recorded a small amount of co-promotion revenue in 2006. The increases in sales for 2006 excluding BI products were 11.6 percent for total net sales, 12.3 percent for total U.S. sales and 7.8 percent for Pharmaceutical Products segment sales. Sales growth in 2007 for the

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Nutritional Products segment reflects the completion of the U.S. co-promotion of Synagis in 2006. Excluding sales of Synagis in 2006, Nutritional Products segment sales increased 11.3 percent.

        A comparison of significant product group sales is as follows. Percent changes are versus the prior year and are based on unrounded numbers.

 
  2007
  Percent Change
  2006
  Percent Change
  2005
  Percent Change
 
 
  (dollars in millions)

 
Pharmaceuticals —                                

U.S. Specialty

 

$

4,349

 

24

 

$

3,505

 

25

 

$

2,799

 

16

 
U.S. Primary Care     3,139   23     2,561   4     2,463    
International Pharmaceuticals     6,002   16     5,157   8     4,776   14  

Nutritionals —

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Pediatric Nutritionals

 

 

1,233

 

9

 

 

1,128

 

3

 

 

1,097

 

(4

)
International Pediatric Nutritionals     1,093   22     899   29     698   17  
U.S. Adult Nutritionals     1,077   2     1,057   1     1,050   13  
International Adult Nutritionals     947   15     824   11     742   11  

Diagnostics —

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Immunochemistry

 

 

2,517

 

11

 

 

2,272

 

4

 

 

2,187

 

2

 

        Increased sales volume of HUMIRA and increased volume and price for Depakote favorably impacted U.S. Specialty sales. U.S. Primary Care sales in 2007 were favorably impacted by sales of Niaspan, a new product from the acquisition of Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. in the fourth quarter of 2006. In addition, increased sales volume for Omnicef in 2006 and 2005 and increased sales of TriCor in all three years favorably impacted U.S. Primary Care sales. These increases were partially offset by lower sales of Omnicef in 2007 and lower U.S. sales of Biaxin in all three years due primarily to the introduction of generic competition. U.S. sales of Omnicef were $235 million, $637 million and $495 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and U.S. sales of Biaxin were $36 million, $151 million and $306 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Increased sales volume of HUMIRA favorably impacted International Pharmaceuticals sales, partially offset by decreased sales volume in 2006 due to generic competition for clarithromycin. The decrease in sales of U.S. Pediatric Nutritionals in 2005 was primarily due to overall infant nutritionals non-WIC category decline and competitive share loss. International Pediatric Nutritionals sales increases were due primarily to volume growth in developing countries. U.S. Adult Nutritionals sales in 2005 were favorably impacted by the acquisition of EAS in the fourth quarter of 2004. International sales in 2007 were also favorably impacted by the effect of the relatively weaker U.S. dollar. Abbott has periodically sold product rights to non-strategic products and has recorded the related gains in net sales in accordance with Abbott's revenue recognition policies as discussed in footnote 1 to the consolidated financial statements. Related net sales were $184 million in 2007, $199 million in 2006 and $177 million in 2005.

        The expiration of licenses, patent protection and generic competition can affect the future revenues and operating income of Abbott. Significant ongoing generic activities and significant patent and license expirations in the next three years are as follows. The U.S. composition of matter patent for Depakote expires in July of 2008. Abbott holds non-composition of matter patents on the extended release form of Depakote. U.S. sales of Depakote were $1.5 billion in 2007. The Pharmaceutical Products segment markets Depakote. Some patents under license in the Vascular Products segment related to rapid exchange technology expire in 2008, however the impact is not expected to be material. The patent for Prevacid, which is marketed by TAP Pharmaceuticals, expires in 2009.

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Operating Earnings

        Gross profit margins were 55.9 percent of net sales in 2007, 56.3 percent in 2006 and 52.4 percent in 2005. The decrease in the gross profit margin in 2007 was due, in part, to the effect of the unfavorable impact in 2007 of the completion of the U.S. co-promotion of Synagis in 2006 as well as generic competition for Omnicef and Biaxin sales in 2007. Increased amortization of intangible assets acquired in 2006 also had an unfavorable impact on the gross profit margins in 2007. The increase in the gross profit margin in 2006 was due to favorable product mix, primarily as a result of decreased sales of Boehringer Ingelheim products that had lower margins than other products in the Pharmaceutical Products segment and the decrease in the gross profit margin in 2005 was due to unfavorable product mix, primarily as a result of increased sales of Boehringer Ingelheim products. Restructuring charges, discussed below, reduced the gross profit margins in 2007, 2006 and 2005 by 0.7 percentage points, 1.1 percentage points and 0.8 percentage points, respectively. Gross profit margins in all years were also affected by productivity improvements, higher commodity costs, higher project expenses for new products, higher manufacturing capacity costs for anticipated unit growth and the effects of inflation.

        In the U.S., states receive price rebates from manufacturers of infant formula under the federally subsidized Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children. There are also rebate programs for pharmaceutical products. These rebate programs continue to have a negative effect on the gross profit margins of the Nutritional and Pharmaceutical Products segments. Higher commodity costs unfavorably impacted the gross profit margins for the Nutritional Products segment in 2007 and pricing pressures unfavorably impacted the gross profit margins in 2006 and 2005.

        The gross profit margins for the Pharmaceutical Products segment were favorably impacted in 2006 and unfavorably impacted in 2005 by product mix. The favorable product mix in 2006 was due to decreased sales of lower margin Boehringer Ingelheim products and the unfavorable impact on the gross profit margin in 2005 was due primarily to increased sales of lower margin Boehringer Ingelheim products and higher other manufacturing costs.

        Research and development expense, excluding acquired in-process and collaborations research and development, was $2.5 billion in 2007, $2.3 billion in 2006 and $1.8 billion in 2005 and represented increases of 11.1 percent in 2007, 23.8 percent in 2006 and 7.3 percent in 2005. The effect of recording compensation expense relating to share-based awards in 2006 and additional costs associated with Abbott's decision to discontinue the commercial development of the ZoMaxx drug-eluting stent increased research and development expenses by 6.3 percentage points over 2005. The increases in 2007 and 2006 were also affected by the acquisitions of Guidant's vascular intervention and endovascular solutions businesses in April 2006 and Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. in the fourth quarter of 2006. These increases also reflect increased spending to support pipeline programs, including new indications for HUMIRA, and ABT-335 (a cholesterol drug), ABT-335/Crestor fixed-dose combination, ABT-874 (a biologic for psoriasis and Crohn's disease), controlled-release Vicodin CR, Xience V, as well as several Phase I and Phase II clinical programs in neuroscience and oncology. The majority of research and development expenditures are concentrated on pharmaceutical products.

        Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 16.7 percent in 2007 compared to increases of 15.5 percent in 2006 and 11.7 percent in 2005. The 2007 increase reflects the acquisitions of Guidant's vascular intervention and endovascular solutions businesses and Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. The 2006 increase reflects recording compensation expense relating to share-based awards, a philanthropic contribution to the Abbott Fund and the acquisition of Guidant's vascular intervention and endovascular solutions businesses. These items increased selling, general and administrative expenses by 8.6 percentage points over 2005. The restructuring charges discussed below and an increase in a bad debt reserve associated with an unfavorable court ruling increased the percent change from 2004 by 2.7 percentage points in 2005. The remaining increases in selling, general and administrative expenses were due primarily to increased selling and marketing support for new and existing products, including continued spending for

33



HUMIRA and the continuing international launch of Xience V, as well as spending on other marketed pharmaceutical products. Increases in all three years also reflect inflation and additional selling and marketing support primarily in the Pharmaceutical Products segment.

Restructurings
(dollars in millions)

        In 2007, 2006 and 2005, Abbott management approved plans to realign its worldwide pharmaceutical and vascular manufacturing operations and selected domestic and international commercial and research and development operations in order to reduce costs. In 2007, 2006 and 2005, Abbott recorded pretax charges against earnings of approximately $107, $210 and $256, respectively, reflecting the impairment of manufacturing facilities and other assets, employee severance and other related charges. Approximately $94, $181 and $174, respectively, is classified as cost of products sold, $3, $29 and $10, respectively, as research and development and $10 in 2007 and $72 in 2005 as selling, general and administrative. Fair value for the determination of the amount of asset impairments was determined primarily based on a discounted cash flow method. An additional $90, $70 and $14 were subsequently recorded in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, relating to these restructurings, primarily for accelerated depreciation. In addition, Abbott implemented facilities restructuring plans in 2007 related to the acquired operations of Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc., which resulted in an increase to goodwill of approximately $52.

        The following summarizes the activity for restructurings:

 
  Employee-
Related and
Other

  Asset
Impairments

  Total
 
2005 restructuring charges   $ 192   $ 64   $ 256  
Payments, impairments and other adjustments     (37 )   (64 )   (101 )
   
 
 
 
Accrued balance at December 31, 2005     155         155  
2006 restructuring charges     118     93     211  
Payments, impairments and other adjustments     (80 )   (93 )   (173 )
   
 
 
 
Accrued balance at December 31, 2006     193         193  
2007 restructuring charges     122     38     160  
Payments, impairments and other adjustments     (121 )   (38 )   (159 )
   
 
 
 
Accrued balance at December 31, 2007   $ 194   $   $ 194  
   
 
 
 

        Abbott expects to incur up to an additional $73 in future periods for restructuring plans, primarily for accelerated depreciation.

Interest Expense

        Interest expense increased in 2007 and 2006 due primarily to higher borrowings as a result of the acquisitions of Guidant's vascular intervention and endovascular solutions businesses and Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Abbott's investment in the Boston Scientific common stock and note receivable.

Other (income) expense, net

        Other (income) expense, net for 2007 includes a $190 million fair market value loss adjustment to Abbott's investment in Boston Scientific common stock and a realized gain of $37 million on the sales of Boston Scientific common stock. Other (income) expense, net for 2007 and 2006 includes fair value gain adjustments of $28 million and $91 million, respectively, to certain derivative financial instruments included with the investment in Boston Scientific common stock.

34


Taxes on Earnings

        The income tax rates on earnings were 19.3 percent in 2007, 24.6 percent in 2006 and 27.0 percent in 2005. Taxes on earnings in 2006 reflect the effect of the tax rates applied to acquired in-process research and development and the resolution of prior years' income tax audits and the effect of other discrete tax items. For 2006, the tax rates applied to acquired in-process and collaborations research and development increased the effective tax rate by 6.6 percentage points and the effect of the income tax audit resolution and other discrete tax items decreased the effective tax rate by 5.5 percentage points. In 2005, Abbott remitted $4.3 billion of foreign earnings in accordance with the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 and recorded additional tax expense of $245 million, which increased the effective tax rate by approximately 5.3 percentage points. This was partially offset by adjustments of prior years' tax accounts resulting primarily from resolution of prior years' accrual requirements, which decreased the effective tax rate by 2.3 percentage points. Abbott expects to apply an annual effective rate of somewhat above 19 percent in 2008.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

        Effective January 1, 2007, Abbott adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements," and SFAS No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." Adoption of these Standards did not have a material impact on Abbott's financial position. However, adoption of SFAS No. 159 and SFAS No. 157 resulted in a decrease to Earnings employed in the business of approximately $189 million, substantially offset by an increase to Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of approximately $182 million as of January 1, 2007.

        Effective January 1, 2007, Abbott adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes." FASB Interpretation No. 48 requires that a recorded tax benefit must be more likely than not of being sustained upon examination by tax authorities based upon its technical merits. The amount of benefit recorded is the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Adoption of this Interpretation did not have a material impact on Abbott's financial position.

Business Combinations, Technology Acquisitions and Related Transactions

        In December 2006, Abbott acquired Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. for cash of approximately $3.8 billion, net of cash held by Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc., to expand Abbott's presence in the lipid management market and to provide several on-market and late-stage pipeline products. Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. was a specialty pharmaceutical company that developed and marketed proprietary medications for the treatment of chronic cardiovascular, metabolic and respiratory diseases. This business was acquired on December 13, 2006 and the financial results of the acquired operations are included in these financial statements beginning on that date. The acquisition was financed primarily with short-term debt. The allocation of the purchase price resulted in a charge of $1.3 billion for acquired in-process research and development, intangible assets of $821 million, goodwill (primarily non-deductible) of $1.6 billion and net liabilities, primarily deferred income taxes recorded at acquisition of $331 million. Acquired intangible assets are being amortized over 4 to 15 years. Non-deductible acquired in-process research and development was charged to income in 2006.

        A substantial amount of the acquired in-process research and development charge relating to the Kos acquisition related primarily to cholesterol treatment drugs. The research efforts ranged from 70 percent to 80 percent complete at the date of acquisition. The valuation method used to fair value the projects was the Multi-period Excess Earnings Method (Income Approach) and the risk-adjusted discount rate used was 16 percent. In developing assumptions for the valuation model, comparable Abbott products or products marketed by competitors were used to estimate pricing, margins and expense levels. As of December 31, 2007, one drug was approved for marketing in the U.S. and the remaining research efforts

35



were primarily on schedule. The estimated projected costs to complete the projects totaled approximately $75 million as of December 31, 2007 with anticipated product launches from 2008 through 2010. There have been no significant changes in the development plans for the acquired incomplete projects. Significant net cash inflows will commence with the launches of the products.

        In order to expand Abbott's presence in the growing vascular market, Abbott acquired Guidant's vascular intervention and endovascular solutions businesses on April 21, 2006 for approximately $4.1 billion, in cash, in connection with Boston Scientific's acquisition of Guidant. In addition, Abbott will also pay to Boston Scientific $250 million each upon government approvals to market the Xience V drug-eluting stent in the U.S. and in Japan. Government approvals are anticipated in 2008 for the U.S. and in 2009 for Japan. Each $250 million payment will result in the recording of additional goodwill. The allocation of the purchase price resulted in a charge of $665 million for acquired in-process research and development, intangible assets of $1.2 billion, goodwill (primarily deductible) of $1.7 billion and tangible net assets of $580 million. Acquired intangible assets are being amortized over 4 to 15 years. Deductible acquired in-process research and development was charged to income in 2006. The net tangible assets acquired consist primarily of property and equipment of approximately $530 million, trade accounts receivable of approximately $250 million and inventories of approximately $120 million, net of assumed liabilities, primarily trade accounts payable, litigation reserves and other liabilities.

        A substantial amount of the acquired in-process research and development charge relating to the Guidant acquisition related to drug eluting and bioabsorbable stents. The research efforts ranged from 35 percent to 85 percent complete at the date of acquisition. The valuation method used to fair value the projects was the Multi-period Excess Earnings Method (Income Approach) and the risk-adjusted discount rates used ranged from 16 percent to 25 percent. In developing assumptions for the valuation model, comparable Abbott products or products marketed by competitors were used to estimate pricing, margins and expense levels. As of December 31, 2007, the research efforts were primarily on schedule. The estimated projected costs to complete totaled approximately $390 million as of December 31, 2007, with anticipated product launch dates from 2008 through 2013. There have been no significant changes in the development plans for the acquired incomplete projects. Significant net cash inflows will commence within one to two years after product launch.

        In order to facilitate Boston Scientific's acquisition of Guidant, Abbott also acquired 64.6 million shares of Boston Scientific common stock directly from Boston Scientific and loaned $900 million to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Boston Scientific. The common stock was valued at $1.3 billion and the note receivable was valued at $829 million at the acquisition date. In connection with the acquisition of the shares, Boston Scientific is entitled to certain after-tax gains upon Abbott's sale of the shares. In addition, Boston Scientific agreed to reimburse Abbott for certain borrowing costs on debt incurred to acquire the Boston Scientific shares. Abbott recorded a net derivative financial instruments liability of $59 million for the gain-sharing derivative financial instrument liability and the interest derivative financial instrument asset. The effect of recording the shares, the loan to Boston Scientific and the derivative financial instruments at fair value on the date of acquisition resulted in the recording of additional goodwill of approximately $204 million. Changes in the fair value of the derivative financial instruments, net are recorded in Other (income) expense, net.

        In 2005, Abbott acquired the remaining interest in a small medical products company and a less than 50 percent equity interest in a small medical products company for $25 million. In 2005, Abbott also acquired additional rights related to HUMIRA for approximately $270 million, which are being amortized over 13 years.

        Had the above acquisitions taken place on January 1 of the previous year, consolidated net sales and income would not have been significantly different from reported amounts.

36


Financial Condition

Cash Flow

        Net cash from operating activities amounted to $5.2 billion, $5.3 billion and $5.0 billion in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Cash from operating activities in 2007 and 2006 compared to 2005 is higher due to higher net earnings adjusted for after-tax non-cash charges for acquired in-process research and development in 2006 and share-based compensation and higher contributions to retirement benefit plans in 2005 compared to 2007 and 2006; partially offset by higher income tax payments in 2006, including tax payments related to the 2005 remittances of foreign earnings under the American Jobs Creation Act. Abbott funds its domestic pension plans according to IRS funding limitations. In 2007 and 2006, $200 million was funded to the main domestic pension plan and in 2005, $641 million was funded to the main domestic pension plan. Abbott expects pension funding for its main domestic pension plan of $200 million annually. The increased contribution in 2005 was due, in part, to the investment of cash remitted under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. Abbott expects annual cash flow from operating activities to continue to exceed Abbott's capital expenditures and cash dividends.

Debt and Capital

        At December 31, 2007, Abbott's long-term debt rating was AA by Standard & Poor's Corporation and A1 by Moody's Investors Service. Abbott has readily available financial resources, including unused lines of credit of $3.0 billion that support commercial paper borrowing arrangements. These lines of credit expire in 2012.

        In October 2006, the board of directors authorized the purchase of $2.5 billion of Abbott's common shares from time to time and no shares were purchased under this authorization in 2006. In 2007, Abbott purchased approximately 19.0 million of its common shares at a cost of approximately $1.0 billion. In 2006 and 2005, Abbott purchased approximately 17.3 million and 30.0 million, respectively, of its common shares under prior authorizations at a cost of approximately $755 million and $1.3 billion, respectively.

        Under a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in February 2006, Abbott issued $3.5 billion of long-term debt in 2007 that matures in 2012 through 2037 with interest rates ranging from 5.15 percent to 6.15 percent. Proceeds from this debt were used to pay down short-term borrowings that were incurred to partially fund the acquisition of Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. Under the same registration statement, Abbott issued $4.0 billion of long-term debt in 2006 that matures in 2009 through 2016 with interest rates ranging from 5.375 percent to 5.875 percent. Proceeds from this debt were used to pay down domestic commercial paper borrowings that were incurred to partially fund the acquisition of Guidant's vascular intervention and endovascular solutions businesses. In addition, commercial paper borrowings were used to repay $1.9 billion of long-term debt in 2006. In 2005, Abbott borrowed $1.9 billion of long-term debt that was scheduled to mature in May 2008 with variable interest rates above LIBOR. In 2007 and 2006, $300 million and $1.6 billion, respectively, of this debt was paid prior to maturity.

Working Capital

        Working capital was $4.9 billion at December 31, 2007 and $4.0 billion at December 31, 2005. At December 31, 2006, current liabilities exceeded current assets by approximately $669 million as a result of increased short-term borrowings used to acquire Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. in December 2006.

Capital Expenditures

        Capital expenditures of $1.7 billion in 2007, $1.3 billion in 2006 and $1.2 billion in 2005 were principally for upgrading and expanding manufacturing, research and development, investments in

37



information technology and administrative support facilities in all segments, and for laboratory instruments placed with customers.

Contractual Obligations

        The following table summarizes Abbott's estimated contractual obligations as of December 31, 2007:

 
  Payment Due By Period
 
  Total
  2008
  2009-2010
  2011-2012
  2013 and
Thereafter

 
  (dollars in millions)

Long-term debt, including current maturities and future interest payments   $ 14,831   $ 1,365   $ 2,052   $ 3,722   $ 7,692
Operating lease obligations     434     87     131     87     129
Capitalized auto lease obligations     78     26     52        
Purchase commitments (a)     3,551     3,194     283     67     7
Other long-term liabilities reflected on the consolidated balance sheet —                              
  Benefit plan obligations     2,192         325     362     1,505
  Other     1,100         742     115     243
   
 
 
 
 
Total   $ 22,186   $ 4,672   $ 3,585   $ 4,353   $ 9,576
   
 
 
 
 
(a)
Purchase commitments are for purchases made in the normal course of business to meet operational and capital expenditure requirements.

Contingent Obligations

        Abbott has periodically entered into agreements in the ordinary course of business, such as assignment of product rights, with other companies which has resulted in Abbott becoming secondarily liable for obligations that Abbott was previously primarily liable. Since Abbott no longer maintains a business relationship with the other parties, Abbott is unable to develop an estimate of the maximum potential amount of future payments, if any, under these obligations. Based upon past experience, the likelihood of payments under these agreements is remote. In addition, Abbott periodically acquires a business or product rights in which Abbott agrees to pay contingent consideration based on attaining certain thresholds or based on the occurrence of certain events. In connection with the acquisition of Guidant's vascular intervention and endovascular solutions businesses, Abbott will pay to Boston Scientific $250 million each upon government approvals to market the Xience V drug-eluting stent in the U.S. and in Japan. Government approvals are anticipated in 2008 for the U.S. and in 2009 for Japan. In addition, Abbott has retained liabilities for taxes on income prior to the spin-off of Hospira and certain potential liabilities, if any, related to alleged improper pricing practices in connection with federal, state and private reimbursement for certain drugs.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

        In December 2007, the FASB issued two standards: SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007) "Business Combinations" and SFAS No. 160 "Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB No. 51." Abbott will adopt these standards on January 1, 2009. Statement No. 141 (revised 2007) will impact Abbott primarily in five areas: acquired in-process research and development will be accounted for as an indefinite lived intangible asset until approval or discontinuation rather than as expense; acquisition costs will be expensed rather than added to the cost of an acquisition; restructuring costs in connection with an acquisition will be expensed rather than added to the cost of an acquisition; the fair value of contingent consideration at the date of an acquisition will be included in the cost of an acquisition; and the fair value of contingent liabilities that are more likely than not of occurrence will be

38



recorded at the date of an acquisition. The effect of these changes will be applicable to acquisitions on or after January 1, 2009. Adoption of Statement No. 160 will not have a material effect on Abbott.

Legislative Issues

        In August 2006, the President of the United States signed the Pension Protection Act of 2006. Among other things, the Act establishes new minimum funding requirements for plan years beginning in 2008. Abbott does not expect this Act to significantly impact future fundings of its domestic defined benefit pension plans.

        Abbott's primary markets are highly competitive and subject to substantial government regulation throughout the world. Abbott expects debate to continue over the availability, method of delivery, and payment for health care products and services. Abbott believes that if legislation is enacted, it could have the effect of reducing access to health care products and services, or reducing prices or the rate of price increases for health care products and services. It is not possible to predict the extent to which Abbott or the health care industry in general might be adversely affected by these factors in the future. A more complete discussion of these factors is contained in Item 1, Business, and Item 1A, Risk Factors on Form 10-K.

Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 — A Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

        Under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Abbott cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by Abbott, including those made in this document, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect Abbott's operations are discussed in 1A, Risk Factors, to the Annual Report on Form 10-K.

39


ITEM 7A.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Financial Instruments and Risk Management

Investment in Boston Scientific Common Stock and Note Receivable

        At December 31, 2007, Abbott held 26.4 million shares, or approximately $300 million of Boston Scientific common stock. Subsequent to year end, all of these shares were sold resulting in a small gain. At December 31, 2006, Abbott held 64.6 million shares, or approximately $1 billion of Boston Scientific common stock. Abbott also has a $900 million loan, due in April 2011, to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Boston Scientific as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and, as such, is subject to credit risk.

Other Market Price Sensitive Investments

        Abbott holds available-for-sale equity securities from strategic technology acquisitions. Excluding Boston Scientific, the market value of these investments was approximately $193 million and $97 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2007 and 2006. Abbott monitors these investments for other than temporary declines in market value, and charges impairment losses to income when an other than temporary decline in value occurs. A hypothetical 20 percent decrease in the share prices of these investments would decrease their fair value at December 31, 2007 by approximately $39 million. (A 20 percent decrease is believed to be a reasonably possible near-term change in share prices.)

Non-Publicly Traded Equity Securities

        Abbott holds equity securities from strategic technology acquisitions that are not traded on public stock exchanges. The carrying value of these investments was approximately $37 million and $33 million as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. No individual investment is in excess of $13 million. Abbott monitors these investments for other than temporary declines in market value, and charges impairment losses to income when an other than temporary decline in estimated value occurs.

Interest Rate Sensitive Financial Instruments

        At December 31, 2007 and 2006, Abbott had interest rate hedge contracts totaling $1.5 billion to manage its exposure to changes in the fair value of debt due in 2009 through 2014. The effect of these hedges is to change the fixed interest rate to a variable rate. Abbott does not use derivative financial instruments, such as interest rate swaps, to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates for its investment securities. The fair value of long-term debt at December 31, 2007 and 2006 amounted to $10.6 billion and $7.1 billion, respectively (average interest rates of 5.0% and 4.7%, respectively) with maturities through 2037. At December 31, 2007 and 2006, the fair market value of current and long-term investment securities amounted to $896 million and $941 million, respectively. A hypothetical 100-basis point change in the interest rates would not have a material effect on cash flows, income or market values. (A 100-basis point change is believed to be a reasonably possible near-term change in rates.)

Foreign Currency Sensitive Financial Instruments

        Abbott enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage its exposure to foreign currency denominated intercompany loans and trade payables and third-party trade payables and receivables. The contracts are marked-to-market, and resulting gains or losses are reflected in income and are generally offset by losses or gains on the foreign currency exposure being managed. At December 31, 2007 and 2006, Abbott held $5.5 billion and $5.6 billion, respectively, of such contracts, which mature in the next twelve months.

        In addition, certain Abbott foreign subsidiaries enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage exposures to changes in foreign exchange rates for anticipated intercompany purchases by those subsidiaries whose functional currencies are not the U.S. dollar. These contracts are

40



designated as cash flow hedges of the variability of the cash flows due to changes in foreign exchange rates and are marked-to-market with the resulting gains or losses reflected in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Gains or losses will be included in Cost of products sold at the time the products are sold, generally within the next twelve months. At December 31, 2007 and 2006, Abbott held $281 million and $768 million, respectively, of such contracts, which all mature in the following calendar year.

        Abbott has designated approximately $1.7 billion of foreign denominated short-term debt as a hedge of the net investment in certain foreign subsidiaries. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of this debt due to changes in exchange rates are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

        The following table reflects the total foreign currency forward contracts outstanding at December 31, 2007 and 2006:

 
  2007
  2006
 
 
  Contract
Amount

  Average
Exchange
Rate

  Fair and
Carrying Value
Receivable/
(Payable)

  Contract
Amount

  Average
Exchange
Rate

  Fair and
Carrying Value
Receivable/
(Payable)

 
 
  (dollars in millions)

 
Receive primarily U.S. Dollars
in exchange for
the following currencies:
                                 
Euro   $ 2,630   1.464   $ (11 ) $ 2,644   1.301   $ (38 )
British Pound     1,030   2.041         1,910   1.928     (14 )
Japanese Yen     939   113.9     (5 )   898   115.5     (3 )
Canadian Dollar     426   0.995     (1 )   332   1.115     6  
All other currencies     716   N/A     (4 )   603   N/A     (3 )
   
     
 
     
 
Total   $ 5,741       $ (21 ) $ 6,387       $ (52 )
   
     
 
     
 

41


ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 
  Page
Abbott Laboratories Financial Statements:    
 
Consolidated Statement of Earnings

 

43
 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

 

44
 
Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

45
 
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Investment

 

47
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

48
 
Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

71
 
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

72

TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. Financial Statements:

 

 
 
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

 

74
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

75
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

76
 
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity

 

77
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

78
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

88

42



Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Earnings
(dollars and shares in thousands except per share data)

 
  Year Ended December 31
 
 
  2007
  2006
  2005
 
Net Sales   $ 25,914,238   $ 22,476,322   $ 22,337,808  
   
 
 
 
Cost of products sold     11,422,046     9,815,147     10,641,111  
Research and development     2,505,649     2,255,271     1,821,175  
Acquired in-process and collaborations research and development         2,014,000     17,131  
Selling, general and administrative     7,407,998     6,349,685     5,496,123  
   
 
 
 
Total Operating Cost and Expenses     21,335,693     20,434,103     17,975,540  
   
 
 
 
Operating Earnings     4,578,545     2,042,219     4,362,268  
Interest expense     593,142     416,172     241,355  
Interest (income)     (136,752 )   (123,825 )   (87,693 )
(Income) from TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. joint venture     (498,016 )   (475,811 )   (441,388 )
Net foreign exchange (gain) loss     14,997     28,441     21,804  
Other (income) expense, net     135,526     (79,128 )   8,270  
   
 
 
 
Earnings Before Taxes     4,469,648     2,276,370     4,619,920  
Taxes on Earnings     863,334     559,615     1,247,855  
   
 
 
 
Net Earnings   $ 3,606,314   $ 1,716,755   $ 3,372,065  
   
 
 
 

Basic Earnings Per Common Share

 

$

2.34

 

$

1.12

 

$

2.17

 
   
 
 
 

Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

 

$

2.31

 

$

1.12

 

$

2.16

 
   
 
 
 

Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding Used for Basic Earnings Per Common Share

 

 

1,543,082

 

 

1,529,848

 

 

1,552,457

 
Dilutive Common Stock Options and Awards     16,975     6,876     11,646  
   
 
 
 
Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding Plus Dilutive Common Stock Options and Awards     1,560,057     1,536,724     1,564,103  
   
 
 
 

Outstanding Common Stock Options Having No Dilutive Effect

 

 

6,406

 

 

23,567

 

 

22,469

 
   
 
 
 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

43



Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(dollars in thousands)

 
  Year Ended December 31
 
 
  2007
  2006
  2005
 
Cash Flow From (Used in) Operating Activities:                    
Net earnings   $ 3,606,314   $ 1,716,755   $ 3,372,065  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash from operating activities —                    
Depreciation     1,072,855     983,485     868,808  
Amortization of intangible assets     782,031     575,265     490,131  
Share-based compensation     429,677     329,957     30,140  
Acquired in-process research and development         1,927,300     17,131  
Investing and financing (gains) losses, net     356,331     277,388     125,328  
Trade receivables     (431,846 )   (101,781 )   (98,216 )
Inventories     131,324     104,653     (88,257 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets     (418,344 )   (283,455 )   (406,858 )
Trade accounts payable and other liabilities     (82,960 )   (183,203 )   199,703  
Income taxes     (261,539 )   (84,275 )   537,429  
   
 
 
 
Net Cash From Operating Activities     5,183,843     5,262,089     5,047,404  
   
 
 
 

Cash Flow From (Used in) Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Acquisitions of businesses and technologies, net of cash acquired         (7,923,163 )   (295,123 )
Acquisitions of property and equipment     (1,656,207 )   (1,337,818 )   (1,207,493 )
Sales of (investment in) Boston Scientific common stock; and (investments in) note receivable and derivative financial instruments     568,437     (2,095,780 )    
Purchases of investment securities     (32,852 )   (33,632 )   (15,670 )
Proceeds from sales of investment securities     17,830     18,476     783,599  
Other     (33,485 )   (25,712 )   14,600  
   
 
 
 
Net Cash (Used in) Investing Activities     (1,136,277 )   (11,397,629 )   (720,087 )
   
 
 
 
Cash Flow From (Used in) Financing Activities:                    
(Repayments of) net proceeds from issuance of short-term debt and other     (3,603,481 )   5,183,225     (1,528,180 )
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt     3,500,000     4,000,000     1,851,013  
(Repayment) of long-term debt     (441,012 )   (3,532,408 )   (150,000 )
Purchases of common shares     (1,058,793 )   (754,502 )   (1,302,314 )
Proceeds from stock options exercised, including income tax benefit     1,249,804     502,782     223,637  
Dividends paid     (1,959,150 )   (1,777,170 )   (1,686,472 )
   
 
 
 
Net Cash (Used in) From Financing Activities     (2,312,632 )   3,621,927     (2,592,316 )
   
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents     200,258     73,966     (193,954 )
   
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations of Hospira, Inc.          67,152     127,012  
   
 
 
 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents     1,935,192     (2,372,495 )   1,668,059  
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year     521,192     2,893,687     1,225,628  
   
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year   $ 2,456,384   $ 521,192   $ 2,893,687  
   
 
 
 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

44



Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheet
(dollars in thousands)

 
  December 31
 
  2007
  2006
  2005
Assets                  
Current Assets:                  
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 2,456,384   $ 521,192   $ 2,893,687
Investments, including $307,500 of investments measured at fair value at December 31, 2007     364,443     852,243     62,406
Trade receivables, less allowances of — 2007: $258,288; 2006: $215,443; 2005: $203,683     4,946,876     4,231,142     3,576,794
Inventories —                  
  Finished products     1,677,083     1,338,349     1,203,557
  Work in process     681,634     686,425     630,267
  Materials     592,725     781,647     708,155
   
 
 
    Total inventories     2,951,442     2,806,421     2,541,979
Deferred income taxes     2,109,872     1,716,916     1,248,569
Other prepaid expenses and receivables     1,213,716     1,153,969     1,062,593
   
 
 
    Total Current Assets     14,042,733     11,281,883     11,386,028
   
 
 
Investments     1,125,262     1,229,873     134,013
   
 
 
Property and Equipment, at Cost:                  
Land     494,021     488,342     370,949
Buildings     3,589,050     3,228,485     2,655,356
Equipment     10,393,402     9,947,503     8,813,517
Construction in progress     1,121,328     737,609     920,599
   
 
 
      15,597,801     14,401,939     12,760,421
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization     8,079,652     7,455,504     6,757,280
   
 
 
Net Property and Equipment     7,518,149     6,946,435     6,003,141
   
 
 
Intangible Assets, net of amortization     5,720,478     6,403,619     4,741,647
Goodwill     10,128,841     9,449,281     5,219,247
Deferred Income Taxes and Other Assets     1,178,461     867,081     1,657,127
   
 
 
    $ 39,713,924   $ 36,178,172   $ 29,141,203
   
 
 

45



Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheet
(dollars in thousands)

 
  December 31
 
 
  2007
  2006
  2005
 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Investment                    
Current Liabilities:                    
Short-term borrowings   $ 1,827,361   $ 5,305,985   $ 212,447  
Trade accounts payable     1,219,529     1,175,590     1,032,516  
Salaries, wages and commissions     859,784     807,283     625,254  
Other accrued liabilities     3,713,104     3,850,723     2,783,473  
Dividends payable     504,540     453,994     423,335  
Income taxes payable     80,406     262,344     488,926  
Current portion of long-term debt     898,554     95,276     1,849,563  
   
 
 
 
Total Current Liabilities     9,103,278     11,951,195     7,415,514  
   
 
 
 
Long-term Debt     9,487,789     7,009,664     4,571,504  
   
 
 
 
Post-employment Obligations and Other Long-term Liabilities     3,344,317     3,163,127     2,155,837  
   
 
 
 
Deferred Income Taxes             583,077  
   
 
 
 
Commitments and Contingencies                    
Shareholders' Investment:                    
Preferred shares, one dollar par value
Authorized — 1,000,000 shares, none issued
             
Common shares, without par value
Authorized — 2,400,000,000 shares
                   
  Issued at stated capital amount —                    
  Shares: 2007: 1,580,854,677; 2006: 1,550,590,438; 2005: 1,553,769,958     6,104,102     4,290,929     3,477,460  
Common shares held in treasury, at cost —                    
  Shares: 2007: 30,944,537; 2006: 13,347,272; 2005: 14,534,979     (1,213,134 )   (195,237 )   (212,255 )
Earnings employed in the business     10,805,809     9,568,728     10,404,568  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)     2,081,763     389,766     745,498  
   
 
 
 
Total Shareholders' Investment     17,778,540     14,054,186     14,415,271  
   
 
 
 
    $ 39,713,924   $ 36,178,172   $ 29,141,203  
   
 
 
 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

46



Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Investment
(dollars in thousands except per share data)

 
  Year Ended December 31
 
 
  2007
  2006
  2005
 
Common Shares:                    
Beginning of Year
Shares: 2007: 1,550,590,438; 2006: 1,553,769,958; 2005: 1,575,147,418
  $ 4,290,929   $ 3,477,460   $ 3,189,465  
Issued under incentive stock programs                    
  Shares: 2007: 30,264,239; 2006: 14,456,341; 2005: 8,752,085     1,316,294     526,435     299,329  
Tax benefit from option shares and vesting of restricted stock awards (no share effect)     163,808     42,062     52,363  
Share-based compensation     433,319     337,428     28,731  
Issuance of restricted stock awards     (100,248 )   (52,392 )   (27,125 )
Retired — Shares: 2006: 17,635,861; 2005: 30,129,545         (40,064 )   (65,303 )
   
 
 
 
End of Year
Shares: 2007: 1,580,854,677; 2006: 1,550,590,438; 2005: 1,553,769,958
  $ 6,104,102   $ 4,290,929   $ 3,477,460  
   
 
 
 

Common Shares Held in Treasury:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Beginning of Year
Shares: 2007: 13,347,272; 2006: 14,534,979; 2005: 15,123,800
  $ (195,237 ) $ (212,255 ) $ (220,854 )
Issued under incentive stock programs
Shares: 2007: 2,063,123; 2006: 1,197,838; 2005: 588,821
    37,080     17,492     8,599  
Purchased
Shares: 2007: 19,660,388; 2006: 10,131
    (1,054,977 )   (474 )    
   
 
 
 
End of Year
Shares: 2007: 30,944,537; 2006: 13,347,272; 2005: 14,534,979
  $ (1,213,134 ) $ (195,237 ) $ (212,255 )
   
 
 
 

Earnings Employed in the Business:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Beginning of Year   $ 9,568,728   $ 10,404,568   $ 10,033,440  
Net earnings     3,606,314     1,716,755     3,372,065  
Cash dividends declared on common shares (per share — 2007: $1.30; 2006: $1.18; 2005: $1.10)     (2,009,696 )   (1,807,829 )   (1,704,077 )
Reclassification resulting from the application of the fair value option to Boston Scientific common stock, net of tax     (188,534 )        
Cost of common shares retired in excess of stated capital amount     (237,958 )   (780,152 )   (1,315,397 )
Cost of treasury shares issued below market value     66,955     35,386     18,537  
   
 
 
 
End of Year   $ 10,805,809   $ 9,568,728   $ 10,404,568  
   
 
 
 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Beginning of Year   $ 389,766   $ 745,498   $ 1,323,732  
Reclassification resulting from the application of the fair value option to Boston Scientific common stock, net of tax     181,834          
   
 
 
 
Beginning of Year, as adjusted     571,600     745,498     1,323,732  
Other comprehensive income (loss)     1,510,163     898,266     (578,234 )
Adjustment to recognize net actuarial gain (loss) and prior service cost as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax         (1,253,998 )    
   
 
 
 
End of Year   $ 2,081,763   $ 389,766   $ 745,498  
   
 
 
 

Comprehensive Income

 

$

5,116,477

 

$

2,615,021

 

$

2,793,831

 
   
 
 
 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

47


Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

        NATURE OF BUSINESS — Abbott's principal business is the discovery, development, manufacture and sale of a broad line of health care products.

        CONCENTRATION OF RISK AND GUARANTEES — Due to the nature of its operations, Abbott is not subject to significant concentration risks relating to customers, products or geographic locations, except that three U.S. wholesalers accounted for 25 percent, 23 percent and 24 percent of trade receivables as of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Product warranties are not significant.

        Abbott has no material exposures to off-balance sheet arrangements; no special purpose entities; nor activities that include non-exchange-traded contracts accounted for at fair value. Abbott has periodically entered into agreements in the ordinary course of business, such as assignment of product rights, with other companies which has resulted in Abbott becoming secondarily liable for obligations that Abbott was previously primarily liable. Since Abbott no longer maintains a business relationship with the other parties, Abbott is unable to develop an estimate of the maximum potential amount of future payments, if any, under these obligations. Based upon past experience, the likelihood of payments under these agreements is remote. Abbott periodically acquires a business or product rights in which Abbott agrees to pay contingent consideration based on attaining certain thresholds or based on the occurrence of certain events. In connection with the spin-off of Hospira, Inc., Abbott has retained liabilities for taxes on income prior to the spin-off and certain potential liabilities, if any, related to alleged improper pricing practices in connection with federal, state and private reimbursement for certain drugs.

        BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the parent company and subsidiaries, after elimination of intercompany transactions. The accounts of foreign subsidiaries are consolidated as of November 30, due to the time needed to consolidate these subsidiaries. In December 2005, certain foreign subsidiaries borrowed approximately $1.4 billion. These borrowings and related interest expense have been reflected on the December 31, 2005 Consolidated Balance Sheet and 2005 Consolidated Statement of Earnings. No other events occurred related to these foreign subsidiaries in December 2007, 2006 and 2005 that materially affected the financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

        USE OF ESTIMATES — The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States and necessarily include amounts based on estimates and assumptions by management. Actual results could differ from those amounts. Significant estimates include amounts for sales rebates, income taxes, pension and other post-employment benefits, valuation of intangible assets, litigation, share-based compensation, derivative financial instruments, and inventory and accounts receivable exposures.

        REVENUE RECOGNITION — Revenue from product sales is recognized upon passage of title and risk of loss to customers. Provisions for discounts, rebates and sales incentives to customers, and returns and other adjustments are provided for in the period the related sales are recorded. Sales incentives to customers are not material. Historical data is readily available and reliable, and is used for estimating the amount of the reduction in gross sales. Revenue from the launch of a new product, from an improved version of an existing product, or for shipments in excess of a customer's normal requirements are recorded when the conditions noted above are met. In those situations, management records a returns reserve for such revenue, if necessary. Sales of product rights for marketable products are recorded as revenue upon disposition of the rights. Revenue from license of product rights, or for performance of research or selling activities, is recorded over the periods earned.

48


Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

        INCOME TAXES — On January 1, 2007, Abbott adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes." Under this Interpretation, in order to recognize an uncertain tax benefit, the taxpayer must be more likely than not of sustaining the position, and the measurement of the benefit is calculated as the largest amount that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon resolution of the benefit. Deferred income taxes are provided for the tax effect of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements at the enacted statutory rate to be in effect when the taxes are paid. U.S. income taxes are provided on those earnings of foreign subsidiaries which are intended to be remitted to the parent company. Deferred income taxes are not provided on undistributed earnings reinvested indefinitely in foreign subsidiaries as working capital and plant and equipment. Interest and penalties on income tax obligations are included in taxes on income.

        PENSION AND POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS — Abbott accrues for the actuarially determined cost of pension and post-employment benefits over the service attribution periods of the employees. Abbott must develop long-term assumptions, the most significant of which are the health care cost trend rates, discount rate and the expected return on plan assets. Differences between the expected long-term return on plan assets and the actual return are amortized over a five-year period. Actuarial losses and gains are amortized over the remaining service attribution periods of the employees under the corridor method. On December 31, 2006, Abbott adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 158, "Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans." This statement requires recognition of the deferrals on the balance sheet with a corresponding charge to Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Adoption of this statement on December 31, 2006 resulted in a decrease in Abbott's shareholders' equity of approximately $1.3 billion.

        FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS — On January 1, 2007, Abbott adopted SFAS No. 157 "Fair Value Measurements." Adoption of the provisions of this standard did not have a material effect on Abbott's financial position. For assets and liabilities that are measured using quoted prices in active markets, total fair value is the published market price per unit multiplied by the number of units held without consideration of transaction costs. Assets and liabilities that are measured using significant other observable inputs are valued by reference to similar assets or liabilities, adjusted for contract restrictions and other terms specific to that asset or liability. For these items, a significant portion of fair value is derived by reference to quoted prices of similar assets or liabilities in active markets. For all remaining assets and liabilities, fair value is derived using a fair value model, such as a discounted cash flow model or Black-Scholes model. Purchased intangible assets are recorded at fair value. The fair value of significant purchased intangible assets is based on independent appraisals. Abbott uses a discounted cash flow model to value intangible assets. The discounted cash flow model requires assumptions about the timing and amount of future net cash inflows, risk, the cost of capital, terminal values and market participants. Intangible assets and goodwill are reviewed for impairment at least on a quarterly and annual basis, respectively.

        SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION — Through December 31, 2005, Abbott measured compensation cost using the intrinsic value-based method of accounting for stock options and replacement stock options granted to employees. Restricted stock awards and units have been amortized over their service period with a charge to compensation expense. In 2006, Abbott adopted SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), "Share-Based Payment," which requires that the fair value of stock options be recorded in the results of operations.

        LITIGATION — Abbott accounts for litigation losses in accordance with SFAS No. 5. Under SFAS No. 5, loss contingency provisions are recorded for probable losses at management's best estimate of a loss, or when a best estimate cannot be made, a minimum loss contingency amount is recorded.

49


Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

        CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS — Cash equivalents consist of time deposits and certificates of deposit with original maturities of three months or less. Except for Abbott's investment in the common stock of Boston Scientific, investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value with any unrealized holding gains or losses, net of tax, included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Beginning on January 1, 2007, the investment in the common stock of Boston Scientific is accounted for as a trading security with changes in fair value recorded in income. Investments in equity securities that are not traded on public stock exchanges are recorded at cost. Investments in debt securities are classified as held-to-maturity, as management has both the intent and ability to hold these securities to maturity, and are reported at cost, net of any unamortized premium or discount. Income relating to these securities is reported as interest income.

        Abbott reviews the carrying value of investments in equity securities each quarter to determine whether an other than temporary decline in market value exists. Abbott considers factors affecting the investee, factors affecting the industry the investee operates in and general equity market trends. Abbott considers the length of time an investment's market value has been below carrying value and the near-term prospects for recovery to carrying value. When Abbott determines that an other than temporary decline has occurred, the investment is written down with a charge to Other (income) expense, net.

        INVENTORIES — Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or market. Cost includes material and conversion costs.

        PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT — Depreciation and amortization are provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The following table shows estimated useful lives of property and equipment:

Classification

  Estimated Useful Lives
Buildings   10 to 50 years (average 27 years)
Equipment   3 to 20 years (average 11 years)

        PRODUCT LIABILITY — Abbott accrues for product liability claims, on an undiscounted basis, when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated based on existing information. The liabilities are adjusted quarterly as additional information becomes available. Receivables for insurance recoveries for product liability claims are recorded as assets, on an undiscounted basis, when it is probable that a recovery will be realized. Abbott carries third-party insurance coverage in amounts that reflect historical loss experience, which does not include coverage for sizable losses.

        RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS — Internal research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Clinical trial costs incurred by third parties are expensed as the contracted work is performed. Where contingent milestone payments are due to third parties under research and development arrangements, the milestone payment obligations are expensed when the milestone results are achieved.

50


Note 2 — Supplemental Financial Information (dollars in thousands)

 
  2007
  2006
  2005
Current Investments:                  
Time deposits and certificates of deposit   $ 56,943   $ 76,994   $ 62,406
Boston Scientific common stock     307,500     775,249    
   
 
 
  Total   $ 364,443   $ 852,243   $ 62,406
   
 
 
 
 
  2007
  2006
  2005
Long-term Investments:                  
Boston Scientific common stock   $   $ 248,049   $
Other equity securities     229,518     129,830     116,447
Note receivable from Boston Scientific, 4% interest, due in 2011     850,594     837,260    
Other     45,150     14,734     17,566
   
 
 
  Total   $ 1,125,262   $ 1,229,873   $ 134,013
   
 
 

        In 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." SFAS No. 159 allows companies to measure specific financial assets and liabilities at fair value, such as debt or equity investments. The fair value option for the investment in Boston Scientific common stock was applied effective January 1, 2007. Abbott applied the fair value option to its investment in Boston Scientific stock under SFAS No. 159 because, unlike its other equity investments, the Boston Scientific stock is not a strategic investment and Abbott is required to dispose of the stock no later than October 2008. Abbott was subject to a limitation on the amount of shares it may sell in any one month through October 2007 and Abbott will not reacquire the Boston Scientific shares it sells. Accordingly, since at adoption, realized gains or losses were expected in the near future, the fair value option better represented the near-term expected earnings impact from sales of the stock. Under the fair value option, any cumulative unrealized gains or losses on an equity investment previously accounted for as an available-for-sale security is recorded as a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the date of adoption of the standard. The pretax and after tax adjustment to Earnings employed in the business upon adoption was $297,000 and $189,000, respectively, and the fair value and carrying amount of the investment before and after adoption was approximately $1,000,000. The pretax and after tax adjustment to Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) was $303,000 and $182,000, respectively. The effect of the adoption on deferred income taxes was not significant.

        Other (income) expense, net for 2007 includes a $190,000 fair market value loss adjustment to Abbott's investment in Boston Scientific common stock and a realized gain of $37,000 on the sales of Boston Scientific common stock. Other (income) expense, net for 2007 and 2006 includes fair value gain

51


Note 2 — Supplemental Financial Information (dollars in thousands) (Continued)

adjustments of $28,000 and $91,000, respectively, to certain derivative financial instruments included with the investment in Boston Scientific common stock.

 
  2007
  2006
  2005
Other Accrued Liabilities:                  
Accrued rebates payable to government agencies   $ 661,822   $ 660,875   $ 620,300
Accrued other rebates (a)     444,633     390,863     206,514
All other     2,606,649     2,798,985     1,956,659
   
 
 
  Total   $ 3,713,104   $ 3,850,723   $ 2,783,473
   
 
 
(a)
Accrued wholesaler chargeback rebates of $156,996, $122,729 and $83,551 at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, are netted in trade receivables because Abbott's customers are invoiced at a higher catalog price but only remit to Abbott their contract price for the products.

 
  2007
  2006
  2005
Post-employment Obligations and Other Long-term Liabilities:                  
Defined benefit pension plans and post-employment medical and dental plans for significant plans   $ 1,872,518   $ 1,897,525   $ 1,087,159
All other     1,471,799     1,265,602     1,068,678
   
 
 
  Total   $ 3,344,317   $ 3,163,127   $ 2,155,837
   
 
 
 
 
  2007
  2006
  2005
 
Comprehensive Income, net of tax:                    
Foreign currency gain (loss) translation adjustments   $ 1,153,209   $ 1,033,968   $ (953,726 )
Minimum pension liability adjustments, net of taxes of $(199,100) in 2005         5,361     346,172  
Net actuarial gains and prior service cost and credits and amortization of net actuarial losses and prior service cost and credits, net of taxes of $(225,500)     342,724          
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable equity securities, net of income taxes of $(31,100) in 2007 and $118,500 in 2006     53,844     (177,722 )   (9,254 )
Net adjustments for derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges     (39,614 )   36,659     38,574  
   
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss)     1,510,163     898,266     (578,234 )
Net Earnings     3,606,314     1,716,755     3,372,065  
   
 
 
 
Comprehensive Income   $ 5,116,477   $ 2,615,021   $ 2,793,831  
   
 
 
 
 
 
  2007
  2006
  2005
 
Supplemental Comprehensive Income Information, net of tax:                    
Cumulative foreign currency translation (gain) adjustments   $ (2,948,352 ) $ (1,795,143 ) $ (761,175 )
Cumulative minimum pension liability adjustments             8,931  
Net actuarial losses and prior service cost and credits     914,844     1,257,568      
Cumulative unrealized (gains) loss on marketable equity securities     (66,403 )   169,275     (8,447 )
Cumulative losses (gain) on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges     18,148     (21,466 )   15,193  

52


Note 2 — Supplemental Financial Information (dollars in thousands) (Continued)

        On December 31, 2006, Abbott adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 158 "Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans." Adoption of this statement resulted in a decrease in Abbott's shareholders' equity of $1,257,568, net of taxes of approximately $733,000.

 
  2007
  2006
  2005
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:                  
Income taxes paid   $ 951,648   $ 1,281,711   $ 746,504
Interest paid     563,891     428,868     213,067

Note 3 — Financial Instruments, Derivatives and Fair Value Measures

        Certain Abbott foreign subsidiaries enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage exposures to changes in foreign exchange rates for anticipated intercompany purchases by those subsidiaries whose functional currencies are not the U.S. dollar. These contracts, totaling $281 million, $768 million and $222 million at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, are designated as cash flow hedges of the variability of the cash flows due to changes in foreign exchange rates. Abbott records the contracts at fair value, resulting in a charge of $12 million in 2007 and credits of $16 million and $39 million to Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in 2006 and 2005, respectively. Ineffectiveness recorded in 2007, 2006 or 2005 was not significant. Accumulated gains and losses as of December 31, 2007 will be included in Cost of products sold at the time the products are sold, generally through the next twelve months.

        Abbott enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage currency exposures for foreign currency denominated third-party trade payables and receivables, and for intercompany loans and trade accounts payable where the receivable or payable is denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity. For intercompany loans, the contracts require Abbott to sell or buy foreign currencies, primarily European currencies and Japanese yen, in exchange for primarily U.S. dollars and other European currencies. For intercompany and trade payables and receivables, the currency exposures are primarily the U.S. dollar, European currencies and Japanese yen. These contracts are recorded at fair value, with the resulting gains or losses reflected in income as Net foreign exchange (gain) loss. At December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, Abbott held $5.5 billion, $5.6 billion and $3.9 billion, respectively, of such foreign currency forward exchange contracts.

        Abbott has designated approximately $1.7 billion of foreign denominated short-term debt as a hedge of the net investment in certain foreign subsidiaries. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of this debt due to changes in exchange rates are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, resulting in a charge of $72 million to Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in 2007.

        Abbott is a party to interest rate hedge contracts totaling $1.5 billion to manage its exposure to changes in the fair value of $1.5 billion of fixed-rate debt due 2009 through 2014. These contracts are designated as fair value hedges of the variability of the fair value of fixed-rate debt due to changes in the long-term benchmark interest rates. The effect of the hedge is to change a fixed-rate interest obligation to a variable rate for that portion of the debt. Abbott records the contracts at fair value and adjusts the carrying amount of the fixed-rate debt by an offsetting amount. No hedge ineffectiveness was recorded in income in 2007, 2006 and 2005.

        Gross unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale equity securities totaled $108 million and $(3) million, respectively, at December 31, 2007; $21 million and $(304) million, respectively, at December 31, 2006 and $18 million and $(4) million, respectively, at December 31, 2005.

53


Note 3 — Financial Instruments, Derivatives and Fair Value Measures (Continued)

        The carrying values and fair values of certain financial instruments as of December 31 are shown in the table below. The carrying values of all other financial instruments approximate their estimated fair values. The counter parties to financial instruments consist of select major international financial institutions. Abbott does not expect any losses from nonperformance by these counter parties.

 
  2007
  2006
  2005
 
 
  Carrying Value
  Fair Value
  Carrying Value
  Fair Value
  Carrying Value
  Fair Value
 
 
  (dollars in millions)

 
Current Investments:                                      
  Available-for-Sale Equity Securities   $   $   $ 775   $ 775   $   $  
  Trading Securities     308     308                  
  Other     57     57     77     77     62     62  
Long-term Investments:                                      
  Available-for-Sale Equity Securities     230     230     378     378     116     116  
  Note Receivable     851     809     837     849          
  Other     45     40     15     15     18     18  
Total Long-term Debt     (10,386 )   (10,593 )   (7,105 )   (7,113 )   (6,421 )   (6,375 )
Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts:                                      
  Receivable position     24     24     34     34     19     19  
  (Payable) position     (45 )   (45 )   (86 )   (86 )   (34 )   (34 )
Interest Rate Hedge Contracts     (25 )   (25 )   (85 )   (85 )   (82 )   (82 )

        The following table summarizes the bases used to measure certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis in the balance sheet:

 
   
  Basis of Fair Value Measurement
 
  Balance at
December 31
2007

  Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Items

  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs

 
  (dollars in millions)

Assets:                  
Trading securities   $ 308   $ 308   $
Marketable available-for-sale securities     193     193    
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts     24         24
   
 
 
    $ 525   $ 501   $ 24
   
 
 
Liabilities:                  
Interest rate swap derivative financial instruments   $ 25   $   $ 25
Fair value of hedged long-term debt     1,475         1,475
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts     45         45
   
 
 
    $ 1,545   $   $ 1,545
   
 
 

        In 2007, adjustments to record a derivative financial instrument liability whose value was derived using significant unobservable inputs resulted in a credit to Other (income) expense, net, in the amount of $25 million. The value of this derivative financial instrument liability was zero at December 31, 2007.

54


Note 4 — Post-Employment Benefits (dollars in thousands)

        Retirement plans consist of defined benefit, defined contribution and medical and dental plans. Information for Abbott's major defined benefit plans and post-employment medical and dental benefit plans is as follows:

 
  Defined Benefit Plans
  Medical and Dental Plans
 
 
  2007
  2006
  2005
  2007
  2006
  2005
 
Projected benefit obligations, January 1   $ 5,614,060   $ 5,041,086   $ 4,753,225   $ 1,520,412   $ 1,292,301   $ 1,112,124  
Service cost — benefits earned during the year     249,098     218,662     205,286     57,991     55,618     43,554  
Interest cost on projected benefit obligations     316,163     275,389     259,709     97,030     79,988     64,088  
Losses (gains), primarily changes in discount and medical cost trend rates, plan design changes, law changes and differences between actual and estimated health care costs     (308,760 )   64,003     142,453     (100,739 )   133,766     138,442  
Benefits paid     (228,009 )   (212,630 )   (195,964 )   (61,048 )   (67,511 )   (65,907 )
Acquisitions         86,024             26,250      
Other, primarily foreign currency translation     140,821     141,526     (123,623 )            
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Projected benefit obligations, December 31   $ 5,783,373   $ 5,614,060   $ 5,041,086   $ 1,513,646   $ 1,520,412   $ 1,292,301  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plans' assets at fair value, January 1   $ 5,085,626   $ 4,348,779   $ 3,465,666   $ 212,035   $ 149,080   $  
Actual return on plans' assets     442,536     507,223     384,912     19,578     22,955     9,080  
Company contributions     282,619     266,269     755,982     136,048     107,511     205,907  
Benefits paid     (228,009 )   (212,630 )   (195,964 )   (61,048 )   (67,511 )   (65,907 )
Acquisitions         92,760                  
Other, primarily foreign currency translation     83,902     83,225     (61,817 )            
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plans' assets at fair value, December 31   $ 5,666,674   $ 5,085,626   $ 4,348,779   $ 306,613   $ 212,035   $ 149,080  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Projected benefit obligations greater than plans' assets, December 31   $ (116,699 ) $ (528,434 ) $ (692,307 ) $ (1,207,033 ) $ (1,308,377 ) $ (1,143,221 )
   
 
       
 
       
Unrecognized actuarial losses, net                 1,501,409                 697,717  
Unrecognized prior service cost (credits)                 5,004                 (264,499 )
               
             
 
Net prepaid (accrued) benefit cost               $ 814,106               $ (710,003 )
               
             
 
Long-term assets   $ 576,146   $ 84,266         $   $        
Short-term liabilities     (27,360 )   (23,552 )                    
Long-term liabilities     (665,485 )   (589,148 )         (1,207,033 )   (1,308,377 )      
   
 
       
 
       
Net liability   $ (116,699 ) $ (528,434 )       $ (1,207,033 ) $ (1,308,377 )      
   
 
       
 
       
Accrued benefit cost               $ (463,789 )             $ (710,003 )
Prepaid benefit cost                 1,262,892                  
Intangible assets                 130                  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)                 14,873                  
               
             
 
Net prepaid (accrued) benefit cost               $ 814,106               $ (710,003 )
               
             
 
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss):                                      
Actuarial losses, net   $ 919,710   $ 1,343,052         $ 635,302   $ 785,778        
Prior service cost (credits)     39,911     42,659           (227,397 )   (248,947 )      
   
 
       
 
       
Total   $ 959,621   $ 1,385,711         $ 407,905   $ 536,831        
   
 
       
 
       

        The projected benefit obligations for non-U.S. defined benefit plans was $1,754,000, $1,483,000 and $1,148,000 at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The accumulated benefit obligations for all defined benefit plans was $4,920,000, $4,738,000 and $4,158,000 at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. For plans where the accumulated benefit obligations exceeded plan assets at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, the aggregate accumulated benefit obligations were $697,000, $544,000 and $465,000,

55


Note 4 — Post-Employment Benefits (dollars in thousands) (Continued)


respectively; the projected benefit obligations were $770,000, $592,000 and $508,000, respectively; and the aggregate plan assets were $84,000, $22,000 and $5,000, respectively.

 
  Defined Benefit Plans
  Medical and Dental Plans
 
 
  2007
  2006
  2005
  2007
  2006
  2005
 
Service cost — benefits earned during the year   $ 249,098   $ 218,662   $ 205,286   $ 57,991   $ 55,618   $ 43,554  
Interest cost on projected benefit obligations     316,163     275,389     259,709     97,030     79,988     64,088  
Expected return on plans' assets     (425,639 )   (382,220 )   (360,304 )   (24,569 )   (16,253 )   (11,948 )
Amortization of actuarial losses     81,110     78,288     65,744     54,727     44,612     31,569  
Amortization of prior service cost (credits)     3,573     341     68     (21,550 )   (21,160 )   (21,160 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total cost   $ 224,305   $ 190,460   $ 170,503   $ 163,629   $ 142,805   $ 106,103  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

        Other comprehensive income (loss) for 2007 includes amortization of actuarial losses and prior service cost of $81,110 and $3,573, respectively, and net actuarial gains of $341,408 for defined benefit plans. Other comprehensive income (loss) for 2007 includes amortization of actuarial losses and prior service credits of $54,727 and $21,550, respectively, and net actuarial gains of $95,748 for medical and dental plans. The pretax amount of actuarial losses and prior service cost (credits) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2007, that is expected to be recognized in the net periodic benefit cost in 2008 is $46,100 and $3,800, respectively, for defined benefit pension plans and $42,600 and $(21,500), respectively, for medical and dental plans.

        The weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations for defined benefit plans and medical and dental plans as of December 31, the measurement date of the plans, are as follows:

 
  2007
  2006
  2005
 
Discount rate   6.2 % 5.7 % 5.5 %
Expected aggregate average long-term change in
compensation
  4.2 % 4.2 % 4.2 %

        The weighted average assumptions used to determine the net cost for defined benefit plans and medical and dental plans are as follows:

 
  2007
  2006
  2005
 
Discount rate   5.7 % 5.5 % 5.6 %
Expected return on plan assets   8.3 % 8.5 % 8.4 %
Expected aggregate average long-term change in
compensation
  4.2 % 4.2 % 4.2 %

        The assumed health care cost trend rates for medical and dental plans at December 31 were as follows:

 
  2007
  2006
  2005
 
Health care cost trend rate assumed for the next year   7 % 7 % 7 %
Rate that the cost trend rate gradually declines to   5 % 5 % 5 %
Year that rate reaches the assumed ultimate rate   2012   2012   2012  

56


Note 4 — Post-Employment Benefits (dollars in thousands) (Continued)

        The discount rates used to measure liabilities were determined based on high-quality fixed income securities that match the duration of the expected retiree benefits. The health care cost trend rates represent Abbott's expected annual rates of change in the cost of health care benefits and is a forward projection of health care costs as of the measurement date. A one-percentage point increase/(decrease) in the assumed health care cost trend rate would increase/(decrease) the accumulated post-employment benefit obligations as of December 31, 2007, by $205,600/$(163,500), and the total of the service and interest cost components of net post-employment health care cost for the year then ended by approximately $28,700/$(22,400).

        Approximately 70% of Abbott's U.S. defined benefit plans and medical and dental plans assets are invested in equity securities with the remainder invested in primarily fixed income securities. The investment mix between equity securities and fixed income securities is based upon achieving a desired return, balancing higher return, more volatile equity securities, and lower return, less volatile fixed income securities. Abbott's domestic plans are invested in diversified portfolios of public-market equity and fixed income securities. Investment allocations are made across a range of markets, industry sectors, capitalization sizes, and, in the case of fixed income securities, maturities and credit quality. The plans do not directly hold any securities of Abbott. Abbott's international defined benefit plans are invested in a corresponding manner, with some variance in portfolio structure around local practices.

        The plans' expected return on assets, as shown above, is based on management's expectations of long-term average rates of return to be achieved by the underlying investment portfolios. In establishing this assumption, management considers historical and expected returns for the asset classes in which the plans are invested, as well as current economic and capital market conditions.

        Abbott funds its domestic pension plans according to IRS funding limitations. In 2007 and 2006, $200,000 was funded to the main domestic pension plan and in 2005, $641,000 was funded to the main domestic pension plan. International pension plans are funded according to similar regulations. Abbott expects pension funding for its main domestic pension plan of $200,000 annually.

        Total benefit payments expected to be paid to participants, which includes payments funded from company assets as well as paid from the plans, are as follows:

 
  Defined Benefit Plans
  Medical and Dental Plans
2008   $ 234,600   $ 79,200
2009     237,800     84,500
2010     247,500     89,800
2011     256,800     95,600
2012     270,800     99,700
2013 to 2017     1,621,800     567,900

        The Abbott Stock Retirement Plan is the principal defined contribution plan. Abbott's contributions to this plan were $119,000 in 2007, $102,000 in 2006 and $100,000 in 2005.

        Abbott provides certain other post-employment benefits, primarily salary continuation plans, to qualifying domestic employees, and accrues for the related cost over the service lives of the employees.

Note 5 — Taxes on Earnings (dollars in thousands)

        Taxes on earnings reflect the annual effective rates, including charges for interest and penalties. Deferred income taxes reflect the tax consequences on future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts. U.S. income taxes are provided on those

57


Note 5 — Taxes on Earnings (dollars in thousands) (Continued)


earnings of foreign subsidiaries which are intended to be remitted to the parent company. Except for taxes on dividends that were remitted under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, Abbott does not record deferred income taxes on earnings reinvested indefinitely in foreign subsidiaries. Undistributed earnings reinvested indefinitely in foreign subsidiaries as working capital and plant and equipment aggregated $12,330,000 at December 31, 2007. It is not practicable to determine the amount of deferred income taxes not provided on these earnings. In the U.S., Abbott's federal income tax returns through 2003 are settled, and the income tax returns for years after 2003 are open. There are numerous other income tax jurisdictions for which tax returns are not yet settled, none of which are individually significant. Reserves for interest and penalties are not significant.

        Earnings before taxes, and the related provisions for taxes on earnings, were as follows:

 
  2007
  2006
  2005
Earnings Before Taxes                  
Domestic   $ 669,984   $ (868,384 ) $ 2,068,232
Foreign     3,799,664     3,144,754     2,551,688
   
 
 
  Total   $ 4,469,648   $ 2,276,370   $ 4,619,920
   
 
 
 
 
  2007
  2006
  2005
 
Taxes on Earnings                    
Current:                    
U.S. Federal and Possessions   $ 533,460   $ 491,579   $ 526,213  
State     30,134     17,352     89,483  
Foreign     675,205     633,947     616,118  
   
 
 
 
  Total current     1,238,799     1,142,878     1,231,814  
   
 
 
 
Deferred:                    
Domestic     (303,657 )   (544,678 )   4,709  
Foreign     (74,367 )   (35,564 )   17,035  
Enacted tax rate changes     2,559     (3,021 )   (5,703 )
   
 
 
 
  Total deferred     (375,465 )   (583,263 )   16,041  
   
 
 
 
    Total   $ 863,334   $ 559,615   $ 1,247,855  
   
 
 
 

58


Note 5 — Taxes on Earnings (dollars in thousands) (Continued)

        Differences between the effective income tax rate and the U.S. statutory tax rate were as follows:

 
  2007
  2006
  2005
 
Statutory tax rate   35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 %
Benefit of lower tax rates and tax exemptions in Puerto Rico, the Netherlands and Ireland   (12.6 ) (18.4 ) (6.4 )
Effect of taxes on remittances of foreign earnings in connection with the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004       5.3  
Effect of non-deductible acquired in-process research and development     19.4    
State taxes, net of federal benefit   0.4   0.3   1.2  
Adjustments primarily related to resolution of prior years' accrual requirements     (5.8 ) (1.8 )
Domestic dividend exclusion   (3.1 ) (5.9 ) (2.7 )
All other, net   (0.4 )   (3.6 )
   
 
 
 
Effective tax rate on earnings   19.3 % 24.6 % 27.0 %
   
 
 
 

        As of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, total deferred tax assets were $3,582,137, $3,172,933 and $2,040,906, respectively, and total deferred tax liabilities were $1,353,575, $1,136,964 and $1,355,181, respectively. Valuation allowances for deferred tax assets were not significant. The tax effect of the differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:

 
  2007
  2006
  2005
 
Compensation and employee benefits   $ 861,483   $ 921,313   $ 37,578  
Trade receivable reserves     336,542     236,218     227,251  
Inventory reserves     219,795     163,004     161,934  
Deferred intercompany profit     261,427     390,144     319,402  
State income taxes     84,420     51,494     49,153  
Depreciation     (104,773 )   (134,649 )   (157,272 )
Acquired in-process research and development and other accruals and reserves not currently deductible     1,751,428     1,268,445     1,132,954  
Other, primarily the excess of book basis over tax basis of intangible assets     (1,196,627 )   (872,334 )   (1,095,182 )
   
 
 
 
  Total   $ 2,213,695   $ 2,023,635   $ 675,818  
   
 
 
 

        On January 1, 2007, Abbott adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes." Under this Interpretation, in order to recognize an uncertain tax benefit, the taxpayer must be more likely than not of sustaining the position, and the measurement of the benefit is calculated as the largest amount that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon resolution of the benefit. Adoption of this Interpretation did not have a material impact on Abbott's financial position. The following table summarizes the gross amounts of unrecognized tax benefits without regard to reduction in

59


Note 5 — Taxes on Earnings (dollars in thousands) (Continued)


tax liabilities or additions to deferred tax assets and liabilities if such unrecognized tax benefits were settled:

January 1, 2007   $ 712,700  
Increase due to current year tax positions     339,600  
Increase due to prior year tax positions     146,700  
Decrease due to prior year tax positions     (10,900 )
Settlements     (62,000 )
   
 
December 31, 2007   $ 1,126,100  
   
 

        The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate is approximately $890,000. Abbott does not expect significant changes in the aggregate amount of unrecognized tax benefits that may occur within the next twelve months, other than tax settlements.

        Among the provisions of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 was a provision that allows for the exclusion from income of a portion of the remittances of earnings of foreign subsidiaries to U.S. shareholders through December 31, 2005. In 2005, Abbott remitted in accordance with the provisions of the Act approximately $4,300,000 of foreign earnings previously reinvested indefinitely. The additional income tax expense recorded for the remittance was approximately $245,000.

Note 6 — Segment and Geographic Area Information (dollars in millions)

        Abbott's principal business is the discovery, development, manufacture and sale of a broad line of health care products. Abbott's products are generally sold directly to retailers, wholesalers, hospitals, health care facilities, laboratories, physicians' offices and government agencies throughout the world. Abbott's reportable segments are as follows:

        Pharmaceutical Products — Worldwide sales of a broad line of pharmaceuticals. For segment reporting purposes, two pharmaceutical divisions are aggregated and reported as the Pharmaceutical Products segment.

        Nutritional Products — Worldwide sales of a broad line of adult and pediatric nutritional products.

        Diagnostic Products — Worldwide sales of diagnostic systems and tests for blood banks, hospitals, commercial laboratories and alternate-care testing sites. For segment reporting purposes, three diagnostic divisions are aggregated and reported as the Diagnostic Products segment.

        Vascular Products — Worldwide sales of coronary, endovascular and vessel closure products.

        Abbott's underlying accounting records are maintained on a legal entity basis for government and public reporting requirements. Segment disclosures are on a performance basis consistent with internal management reporting. Intersegment transfers of inventory are recorded at standard cost and are not a measure of segment operating earnings. The cost of some corporate functions and the cost of certain employee benefits are charged to segments at predetermined rates that approximate cost. Remaining costs, if any, are not allocated to segments. Effective in 2007, the Diagnostic segment was reorganized. Prior years' segment information has been adjusted to reflect this change. For acquisitions prior to 2006, substantially all intangible assets and related amortization are not allocated to segments. The following segment information has been prepared in accordance with the internal accounting policies of Abbott, as

60


Note 6 — Segment and Geographic Area Information (dollars in millions) (Continued)


described above, and are not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied to the consolidated financial statements.

 
  Net Sales to External Customers (a)
  Operating Earnings (Loss) (a)
  Depreciation and Amortization
  Additions to Long-term Assets
  Total Assets
 
  2007
  2006
  2005
  2007
  2006
  2005
  2007
  2006
  2005
  2007
  2006
  2005
  2007
  2006
  2005
Pharmaceuticals (b) (c)   $ 14,632   $ 12,395   $ 13,691   $ 5,509   $ 4,522   $ 4,294   $ 330   $ 150   $ 170   $ 407   $ 2,615   $ 389   $ 9,197   $ 9,281   $ 6,766
Nutritionals (d)     4,388     4,313     3,937     855     1,206     1,036     115     112     99     388     184     81     3,261     2,467     2,219
Diagnostics     3,158     2,843     2,689     252     240     261     286     248     201     374     373     359     3,792     3,734     3,432
Vascular (c)     1,663     1,082     253     (188 )   (115 )   (136 )   234     157     20     312     3,637     88     4,706     4,400     290
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Reportable Segments     23,841     20,633     20,570   $ 6,428   $ 5,853   $ 5,455   $ 965   $ 667   $ 490   $ 1,481   $ 6,809   $ 917   $ 20,956   $ 19,882   $ 12,707
                     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other     2,073     1,843     1,768                                                                        
   
 
 
                                                                       
Net Sales   $ 25,914   $ 22,476   $ 22,338                                                                        
   
 
 
                                                                       
(a)
Net sales and operating earnings for 2007 and 2005 were favorably affected by the relatively weaker U.S. dollar and were unfavorably affected by the relatively stronger U.S. dollar in 2006.

(b)
The increase in Pharmaceutical Product Segment sales in 2007 is due primarily to the acquisition of Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. in December 2006 and the decrease in 2006 is due primarily to the effects of the termination of a distribution agreement.

(c)
Additions to long-term assets for the Pharmaceutical Products segment includes goodwill and intangible assets acquired of $1,590 and $821, respectively, in 2006 and for the Vascular Products segment includes goodwill and intangible assets acquired of $1,688 and $1,195, respectively, in 2006.

(d)
The decrease in the Nutritional Products segment operating earnings in 2007 was primarily due to the completion of the U.S. co-promotion of Synagis in 2006.

 
  2007
  2006
  2005
 
Total Reportable Segment Operating Earnings   $ 6,428   $ 5,853   $ 5,455  
Corporate functions and benefit plans costs (e)     (421 )   (449 )   (289 )
Non-reportable segments     298     197     204  
Net interest expense     (456 )   (292 )   (154 )
Acquired in-process and collaborations research and development         (2,014 )   (17 )
Income from TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. joint venture     498     476     441  
Share-based compensation (f)     (430 )   (330 )   (30 )
Other, net (g)     (1,447 )   (1,165 )   (990 )
   
 
 
 
Consolidated Earnings Before Taxes   $ 4,470   $ 2,276   $ 4,620  
   
 
 
 
(e)
Corporate functions and benefit plans costs for 2006, includes a philanthropic contribution of $70 to the Abbott Fund.

(f)
The increase in share-based compensation in 2007 is partially due to the granting of replacement stock options as a result of the increase in the market value of Abbott common stock. Abbott adopted FASB No. 123 (revised 2004) "Share-Based Payment" on January 1, 2006.

61


Note 6 — Segment and Geographic Area Information (dollars in millions) (Continued)

(g)
Other, net for 2007 includes $197 for restructuring plans; $256 for acquisition integration and related costs primarily associated with the acquisitions of Guidant's vascular intervention and endovascular solutions and Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. and a $190 fair market value loss adjustment to Abbott's investment in Boston Scientific common stock. Other, net for 2006 includes $281 for restructuring plans; $220 for acquisition integration and related costs primarily associated with the acquisition of Guidant's vascular intervention and endovascular solutions. Other, net for 2005 includes $266 for restructuring and impairment charges.

 
  2007
  2006
  2005
Total Reportable Segment Assets   $ 20,956   $ 19,882   $ 12,707
Cash and investments     3,946     2,603     3,090
Current deferred income taxes     2,110     1,717     1,249
Non-reportable segments     1,575     1,486     1,341
All other, net, primarily goodwill and intangible assets not allocated to reportable segments     11,127     10,490     10,754
   
 
 
Total Assets   $ 39,714   $ 36,178   $ 29,141
   
 
 
 
 
  Net Sales to External Customers (h)
  Long-term Assets
 
  2007
  2006
  2005
  2007
  2006
  2005
United States   $ 13,252   $ 11,995   $ 12,707   $ 12,870   $ 13,536   $ 7,717
Japan     1,111     1,054     1,027     987     974     935
Germany     1,235     885     992     6,822     6,154     5,467
The Netherlands     1,271     1,061     899     211     185     156
Italy     974     848     806     288     256     211
Canada     832     762     680     156     74     68
France     854     696     657     142     131     92
Spain     731     583     542     336     283     232
United Kingdom     627     517     504     1,371     1,446     1,281
All Other Countries     5,027     4,075     3,524     2,488     1,857     1,596
   
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated   $ 25,914   $ 22,476   $ 22,338   $ 25,671   $ 24,896   $ 17,755
   
 
 
 
 
 
(h)
Sales by country are based on the country that sold the product.

Note 7 — Litigation and Environmental Matters

        Abbott has been identified as a potentially responsible party for investigation and cleanup costs at a number of locations in the United States and Puerto Rico under federal and state remediation laws and is investigating potential contamination at a number of company-owned locations. Abbott has recorded an estimated cleanup cost for each site for which management believes Abbott has a probable loss exposure. No individual site cleanup exposure is expected to exceed $3 million, and the aggregate cleanup exposure is not expected to exceed $15 million.

        There are a number of patent disputes with third parties who claim Abbott's products infringe their patents. In one of those disputes, filed in April 2007, Abbott is unable to estimate a range of possible loss, if any, and no reserve has been recorded. Abbott's acquisition of Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. resulted in the assumption of various cases and investigations and Abbott has recorded reserves related to several of those cases and investigations.

62


Note 7 — Litigation and Environmental Matters (Continued)

        There are several civil actions pending brought by individuals or entities that allege generally that Abbott and numerous pharmaceutical companies reported false or misleading pricing information relating to the average wholesale price of certain pharmaceutical products in connection with federal, state and private reimbursement. Civil actions have also been brought against Abbott, and in some cases other members of the pharmaceutical industry, by state attorneys general seeking to recover alleged damages on behalf of state Medicaid programs. In May 2006, Abbott was notified that the U.S. Department of Justice intervened in a civil whistle-blower lawsuit alleging that Abbott inflated prices for Medicaid and Medicare reimbursable drugs. The outcome of these investigations and litigation could include the imposition of fines or penalties. Abbott has recorded reserves for its estimated losses in a few of the cases, however, Abbott is unable to estimate the range or amount of possible loss for the majority of the cases, and no loss reserves have been recorded for them. Many of the products involved in these cases are Hospira products. Hospira, Abbott's former hospital products business, was spun off to Abbott's shareholders in 2004. Abbott retained liability for losses that result from these cases and investigations to the extent any such losses both relate to the sale of Hospira's products prior to the spin-off of Hospira and relate to allegations that were made in such pending and future cases and investigations that were the same as allegations existing at the date of the spin-off.

        Within the next year, legal proceedings may occur that may result in a change in the estimated reserves recorded by Abbott. For its legal proceedings and environmental exposures, except as noted in the second and third paragraphs of this footnote, Abbott estimates the range of possible loss to be from approximately $110 million to $325 million. The recorded reserve balance at December 31, 2007 for these proceedings and exposures was approximately $165 million. These reserves represent management's best estimate of probable loss, as defined by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5, "Accounting for Contingencies."

        While it is not feasible to predict the outcome of all such proceedings and exposures with certainty, management believes that their ultimate disposition should not have a material adverse effect on Abbott's financial position, cash flows, or results of operations, except for the cases and investigations discussed in the third paragraph of this footnote, the resolution of which could be material to cash flows or results of operations for a quarter.

Note 8 — Incentive Stock Program

        The 1996 Incentive Stock Program authorizes the granting of stock options, replacement stock options, stock appreciation rights, limited stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance units and foreign qualified benefits. Stock options, replacement stock options and restricted stock awards and units comprise the majority of benefits that have been granted and are currently outstanding under this program. In 2007, Abbott granted 20,263,311 stock options, 16,696,463 replacement stock options, 1,556,770 (net of forfeitures of 87,400) restricted stock awards and 649,530 (net of forfeitures of 23,600) restricted stock units under the program. The purchase price of shares under option must be at least equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant, and the maximum term of an option is 10 years. Options vest equally over three years except for replacement options, which vest in six months. Options granted before January 1, 2005 included a replacement feature. Except for options outstanding that have a replacement feature, options granted after December 31, 2004 do not include a replacement feature. When an employee tenders mature shares to Abbott upon exercise of a stock option, a replacement stock option may be granted equal to the amount of shares tendered. Replacement options are granted at the then current market price for a term that expires on the date of the underlying option grant. Upon a change in control of Abbott, all outstanding stock options become fully exercisable, and all terms and conditions of all restricted stock awards and units are deemed satisfied. Restricted stock awards granted in 2007 and 2006 generally vest between 3 and 5 years and for restricted

63


Note 8 — Incentive Stock Program (Continued)


stock awards that vest over 5 years, no more than one-third of the award vests in any one year upon Abbott reaching a minimum return on equity target. Restricted stock units granted in 2007 and 2006 vest over three years and upon vesting, the recipient receives one share of Abbott stock for each vested restricted stock unit. The aggregate fair market value of restricted stock awards and units is recognized as expense over the service period. Restricted stock awards and settlement of vested restricted stock units are issued out of treasury shares. Abbott issues new shares for exercises of stock options. Abbott does not have a policy of purchasing its shares relating to its share-based programs. At January 1, 2008, approximately 51 million shares were reserved for future grants under the 1996 Program. Subsequent to year-end, the Board of Directors granted approximately 22 million stock options and restricted stock awards and units from this reserve.

        The number of restricted stock awards and units outstanding and the weighted-average grant-date fair value at December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007 was 3,830,728 and $45.31 and 3,740,341 and $49.04, respectively. The number of restricted stock awards and units, and the weighted-average grant-date fair value, that were granted, vested and lapsed during 2007 were 2,317,300 and $52.73, 2,156,091 and $46.54 and 251,596 and $47.58, respectively. The fair market value of restricted stock awards and units vested in 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $114,170,000, $32,226,000 and $12,949,000, respectively.

 
  Options Outstanding
  Exercisable Options
 
  Shares
  Weighted Average Exercise Price
  Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years)
  Shares
  Weighted Average Exercise Price
  Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years)
December 31, 2006   146,060,704   $ 43.80   6.2   100,543,786   $ 43.51   5.1
             
 
 
 
Granted   36,959,774     53.71                  
Exercised   (47,655,849 )   41.83                  
Lapsed   (2,371,779 )   47.53                  
   
 
                 
December 31, 2007   132,992,850   $ 47.19   6.6   88,057,465   $ 46.22   5.5
   
 
 
 
 
 

        The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2007 was $1.2 billion and $882 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised in 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $613 million, $205 million and $189 million, respectively. The total unrecognized compensation cost related to all share-based compensation plans at December 31, 2007 amounted to approximately $250 million which is expected to be recognized over the next three years.

        On January 1, 2006, Abbott adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), "Share-Based Payment," which requires that the fair value of share-based awards be recorded in the results of operations. Abbott used the modified prospective method of adoption. Under this method, prior years' financial results do not include the impact of recording stock options using fair value. Under the revised standard, awards issued after 2005 and the remainder of any unrecognized cost for grants issued prior to 2006 are charged to expense. Total non-cash compensation expense charged against income in 2007 and 2006 for share-based plans totaled approximately $430 million and $330 million, respectively, and the tax benefit recognized was approximately $142 million and $78 million, respectively. Compensation cost capitalized as part of inventory is not significant.

        Through December 31, 2005, Abbott measured compensation cost using the intrinsic value-based method of accounting for stock options and replacement options granted to employees. Had compensation cost been determined using the fair value-based accounting method in 2005, pro forma net income would have been $3.2 billion, basic earnings per share would have been $2.04, and diluted earnings per share would have been $2.02.

64


Note 8 — Incentive Stock Program (Continued)

        The fair value of an option granted in 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $12.88, $11.72 and $12.17, respectively. The fair value of an option grant was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

 
  2007
  2006
  2005
 
Risk-free interest rate   4.5 % 4.6 % 3.8 %
Average life of options (years)   5.9   6.1   5.4  
Volatility   25.0 % 28.0 % 29.0 %
Dividend yield   2.5 % 2.7 % 2.2 %

        The risk-free interest rate is based on the rates available at the time of the grant for zero-coupon U.S. government issues with a remaining term equal to the option's expected life. The average life of an option granted in 2007 and 2006 is based on both historical and projected exercise and lapsing data. Prior to 2006, the average life of an option granted was based on historical experience. Expected volatility for 2007 and 2006 option grants is based on implied volatilities from traded options on Abbott's stock and historical volatility of Abbott's stock over the expected life of the option. Expected volatility for options granted prior to 2006 was based on historical volatility over a period prior to the option grant equal to the option's expected life. Dividend yield is based on the option's exercise price and annual dividend rate at the time of grant.

Note 9 — Debt and Lines of Credit (dollars in thousands)

        The following is a summary of long-term debt at December 31:

 
  2007
  2006
  2005
0.77% Yen notes, due 2007   $   $   $ 83,654
Notes, variable interest above LIBOR             770,000
British Pound notes, variable interest above LIBOR             344,000
Euro notes, variable interest above LIBOR, due 2008         264,180     638,766
6.0% Notes, due 2008         200,000     200,000
5.4% Notes, due 2008         200,000     200,000
1.05% Yen notes, due 2008         430,775     418,270
3.5% Notes, due 2009     500,000     500,000     500,000
5.375% Notes, due 2009     500,000     500,000    
1.51% Yen notes, due 2010     135,257     129,232     125,481
3.75% Notes, due 2011     500,000     500,000     500,000
5.6% Notes, due 2011     1,500,000     1,500,000    
5.15% Notes, due 2012     1,000,000        
1.95% Yen notes, due 2013     225,428     215,387     209,135
4.35% Notes, due 2014     500,000     500,000     500,000
5.875% Notes, due 2016     2,000,000     2,000,000    
5.6% Notes, due 2017     1,500,000        
6.15% Notes, due 2037     1,000,000        
Other, including fair value adjustments relating to interest rate hedge contracts designated as fair value hedges     127,104     70,090     82,198
   
 
 
Total, net of current maturities     9,487,789     7,009,664     4,571,504
Current maturities of long-term debt     898,554     95,276     1,849,563
   
 
 
Total carrying amount   $ 10,386,343   $ 7,104,940   $ 6,421,067
   
 
 

65


Note 9 — Debt and Lines of Credit (dollars in thousands) (Continued)

        Principal payments required on long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2007, are $857,454 in 2008, $1,003,619 in 2009, $138,218 in 2010, $2,001,958 in 2011, $1,000,390 in 2012 and $5,281,102 thereafter.

        At December 31, 2007, Abbott had $3,000,000 of unused lines of credit, which support commercial paper borrowing arrangements. The unused lines of credit expire in 2012. Related compensating balances, which are subject to withdrawal by Abbott at its option, and commitment fees are not material. Abbott's weighted-average interest rate on short-term borrowings was 3.7% at December 31, 2007, 5.0% at December 31, 2006 and 1.3% at December 31, 2005.

Note 10 — Business Combinations, Technology Acquisitions and Related Transactions

        In December 2006, Abbott acquired Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. for cash of approximately $3.8 billion, net of cash held by Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc., to expand Abbott's presence in the lipid management market and to provide several on-market and late-stage pipeline products. Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. was a specialty pharmaceutical company that developed and marketed proprietary medications for the treatment of chronic cardiovascular, metabolic and respiratory diseases. This business was acquired on December 13, 2006 and the financial results of the acquired operations are included in these financial statements beginning on that date. The acquisition was financed primarily with short-term debt. The allocation of the purchase price resulted in a charge of $1.3 billion for acquired in-process research and development, intangible assets of $821 million, goodwill (primarily non-deductible) of $1.6 billion and net liabilities, primarily deferred income taxes recorded at acquisition of $331 million. Acquired intangible assets are being amortized over 4 to 15 years. Non-deductible acquired in-process research and development was charged to income in 2006.

        A substantial amount of the acquired in-process research and development charge relating to the Kos acquisition related primarily to cholesterol treatment drugs. The research efforts ranged from 70 percent to 80 percent complete at the date of acquisition. The valuation method used to fair value the projects was the Multi-period Excess Earnings Method (Income Approach) and the risk-adjusted discount rate used was 16 percent. In developing assumptions for the valuation model, comparable Abbott products or products marketed by competitors were used to estimate pricing, margins and expense levels. As of December 31, 2007, one drug was approved for marketing in the U.S. and the remaining research efforts were primarily on schedule. The estimated projected costs to complete the projects totaled approximately $75 million as of December 31, 2007 with anticipated product launches from 2008 through 2010. There have been no significant changes in the development plans for the acquired incomplete projects. Significant net cash inflows will commence with the launches of the products.

        In order to expand Abbott's presence in the growing vascular market, Abbott acquired Guidant's vascular intervention and endovascular solutions businesses on April 21, 2006 for approximately $4.1 billion, in cash, in connection with Boston Scientific's acquisition of Guidant. In addition, Abbott will also pay to Boston Scientific $250 million each upon government approvals to market the Xience V drug-eluting stent in the U.S. and in Japan. Government approvals are anticipated in 2008 for the U.S. and in 2009 for Japan. Each $250 million payment will result in the recording of additional goodwill. The allocation of the purchase price resulted in a charge of $665 million for acquired in-process research and development, intangible assets of $1.2 billion, goodwill (primarily deductible) of $1.7 billion and tangible net assets of $580 million. Acquired intangible assets are being amortized over 4 to 15 years. Deductible acquired in-process research and development was charged to income in 2006. The net tangible assets acquired consist primarily of property and equipment of approximately $530 million, trade accounts receivable of approximately $250 million and inventories of approximately $120 million, net of assumed liabilities, primarily trade accounts payable, litigation reserves and other liabilities.

66


Note 10 — Business Combinations, Technology Acquisitions and Related Transactions (Continued)

        A substantial amount of the acquired in-process research and development charge relating to the Guidant acquisition related to drug eluting and bioabsorbable stents. The research efforts ranged from 35 percent to 85 percent complete at the date of acquisition. The valuation method used to fair value the projects was the Multi-period Excess Earnings Method (Income Approach) and the risk-adjusted discount rates used ranged from 16 percent to 25 percent. In developing assumptions for the valuation model, comparable Abbott products or products marketed by competitors were used to estimate pricing, margins and expense levels. As of December 31, 2007, the research efforts were primarily on schedule. The estimated projected costs to complete totaled approximately $390 million as of December 31, 2007, with anticipated product launch dates from 2008 through 2013. There have been no significant changes in the development plans for the acquired incomplete projects. Significant net cash inflows will commence within one to two years after product launch.

        In order to facilitate Boston Scientific's acquisition of Guidant, Abbott also acquired 64.6 million shares of Boston Scientific common stock directly from Boston Scientific and loaned $900 million to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Boston Scientific. The common stock was valued at $1.3 billion and the note receivable was valued at $829 million at the acquisition date. In connection with the acquisition of the shares, Boston Scientific is entitled to certain after-tax gains upon Abbott's sale of the shares. In addition, Boston Scientific agreed to reimburse Abbott for certain borrowing costs on debt incurred to acquire the Boston Scientific shares. Abbott recorded a net derivative financial instruments liability of $59 million for the gain-sharing derivative financial instrument liability and the interest derivative financial instrument asset. The effect of recording the shares, the loan to Boston Scientific and the derivative financial instruments at fair value on the date of acquisition resulted in the recording of additional goodwill of approximately $204 million. Changes in the fair value of the derivative financial instruments, net are recorded in Other (income) expense, net.

        In 2005, Abbott acquired the remaining interest in a small medical products company and a less than 50 percent equity interest in a small medical products company for $25 million. In 2005, Abbott also acquired additional rights related to HUMIRA for approximately $270 million, which are being amortized over 13 years.

        Had the above acquisitions taken place on January 1 of the previous year, consolidated net sales and income would not have been significantly different from reported amounts.

Note 11 — Goodwill and Intangible Assets (dollars in millions)

        Abbott recorded goodwill of $53, $3,721 and $69 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, related to acquisitions. Goodwill adjustments recorded in 2007 allocated to the Pharmaceutical Products segment amounted to $194 and goodwill allocated to the Vascular Products segment amounted to $(141). Acquired goodwill allocated to the Pharmaceutical Products segment amounted to $1,590 in 2006 and goodwill allocated to the Vascular Products segment amounted to $1,688 in 2006. Foreign currency translation and other adjustments increased (decreased) goodwill in 2007, 2006 and 2005 by $627, $509 and $(535), respectively. The amount of goodwill related to reportable segments at December 31, 2007 was $6,221 for the Pharmaceutical Products segment, $210 for the Nutritional Products segment, $261 for the Diagnostic Products segment, and $2,086 for the Vascular Products segment. There were no reductions of goodwill relating to impairments or disposal of all or a portion of a business.

        The gross amount of amortizable intangible assets, primarily product rights and technology, was $9,043, $8,988 and $6,776 as of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and accumulated amortization was $3,323, $2,602 and $2,053 as of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The estimated annual amortization expense for intangible assets is $710 in 2008, 2009 and 2010; $690 in 2011 and $680 in 2012. Intangible assets are amortized over 4 to 25 years (average 11 years).

67


Note 12 — Equity Method Investments (dollars in millions)

        Abbott's 50 percent-owned joint venture, TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. (TAP), is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The investment in TAP was $159, $162 and $167 at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and dividends received from TAP were $502, $487 and $343 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Abbott performs certain administrative and manufacturing services for TAP at negotiated rates that approximate fair value. Summarized financial information for TAP is as follows:

 
  Year Ended December 31
 
  2007
  2006
  2005
Net sales   $ 3,002   $ 3,363   $ 3,260
Cost of sales     720     836     883
Income before taxes     1,564     1,524     1,379
Net income     996     952     883
 
 
  December 31
 
  2007
  2006
  2005
Current assets   $ 1,101   $ 1,181   $ 1,339
Total assets     1,354     1,333     1,470
Current liabilities     914     955     1,082
Total liabilities     1,037     1,009     1,136

        Undistributed earnings of investments accounted for under the equity method amounted to approximately $136 as of December 31, 2007.

Note 13 — Restructuring Plans (dollars in millions)

        In 2007, 2006 and 2005, Abbott management approved plans to realign its worldwide pharmaceutical and vascular manufacturing operations and selected domestic and international commercial and research and development operations in order to reduce costs. In 2007, 2006 and 2005, Abbott recorded pretax charges against earnings of approximately $107, $210 and $256, respectively, reflecting the impairment of manufacturing facilities and other assets, employee severance and other related charges. Approximately $94, $181 and $174, respectively, is classified as cost of products sold, $3, $29 and $10, respectively, as research and development and $10 in 2007 and $72 in 2005 as selling, general and administrative. Fair value for the determination of the amount of asset impairments was determined primarily based on a discounted cash flow method. An additional $90, $70 and $14 were subsequently recorded in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, relating to these restructurings, primarily for accelerated depreciation. In addition, Abbott implemented facilities restructuring plans in 2007 related to the acquired operations of Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc., which resulted in an increase to goodwill of approximately $52.

68


Note 13 — Restructuring Plans (dollars in millions) (Continued)

        The following summarizes the activity for restructurings:

 
  Employee-
Related
and Other

  Asset Impairments
  Total
 
2005 restructuring charges   $ 192   $ 64   $ 256  
Payments, impairments and other adjustments     (37 )   (64 )   (101 )
   
 
 
 
Accrued balance at December 31, 2005     155         155  
2006 restructuring charges     118     93     211  
Payments, impairments and other adjustments     (80 )   (93 )   (173 )
   
 
 
 
Accrued balance at December 31, 2006     193         193  
2007 restructuring charges     122     38     160  
Payments, impairments and other adjustments     (121 )   (38 )   (159 )
   
 
 
 
Accrued balance at December 31, 2007   $ 194   $   $ 194  
   
 
 
 

        Abbott expects to incur up to an additional $73 in future periods for restructuring plans, primarily for accelerated depreciation.

69


Note 14 — Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (dollars in millions except per share data)

 
  2007
  2006
  2005
First Quarter                  
Net Sales   $ 5,945.5   $ 5,183.5   $ 5,382.7
Gross Profit     3,353.5     3,013.8     2,860.1
Net Earnings     697.6     865.0     837.9
Basic Earnings Per Common Share (a)     .45     .57     .54
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (b)     .45     .56     .53
Market Price Per Share-High     57.26     45.58     48.16
Market Price Per Share-Low     48.75     39.18     43.34

Second Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Net Sales   $ 6,370.6   $ 5,501.1   $ 5,523.8
Gross Profit     3,566.3     3,112.5     2,892.0
Net Earnings (c)     988.7     612.2     877.1
Basic Earnings Per Common Share (a)(c)     .64     .40     .56
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (b)(c)     .63     .40     .56
Market Price Per Share-High     59.50     43.61     49.98
Market Price Per Share-Low     52.80     40.55     45.98

Third Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Net Sales   $ 6,376.7   $ 5,573.8   $ 5,384.0
Gross Profit     3,512.7     3,182.5     2,706.8
Net Earnings (d)     717.0     715.8     680.7
Basic Earnings Per Common Share (a)(d)     .46     .47     .44
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (b)(d)     .46     .46     .44
Market Price Per Share-High     56.91     49.87     50.00
Market Price Per Share-Low     49.58     43.25     41.57

Fourth Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Net Sales   $ 7,221.4   $ 6,218.0   $ 6,047.3
Gross Profit     4,059.7     3,352.4     3,237.8
Net Earnings (Loss) (e)     1,203.0     (476.2 )   976.4
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (a)(e)     .78     (.31 )   .63
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common
Share (b)(e)
    .77     (.31 )   .63
Market Price Per Share-High     59.48     49.10     44.36
Market Price Per Share-Low     50.51     45.41     37.50
(a)
The sum of the quarters' basic earnings per share for 2007 and 2006 do not add to the full year earnings per share amounts due to rounding.

(b)
The sum of the quarters' diluted earnings per share for 2006 does not add to the full year earnings per share amount due to rounding.

(c)
Second quarter 2006 includes a pretax charge of $493 for acquired in-process and collaborations research and development.

(d)
Third quarter 2006 includes a pretax charge of $214 for acquired in-process research and development and 2005 includes pretax restructuring charges of $201.

(e)
Fourth quarter 2006 includes a pretax charge of $1,307 for acquired in-process and collaborations research and development.

70


Management Report on Internal Control
Over Financial Reporting

        The management of Abbott Laboratories is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Abbott's internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the company's management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.

        All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

        Abbott's management assessed the effectiveness of the company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our assessment, we believe that, as of December 31, 2007, the company's internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.

        Abbott's independent registered public accounting firm has issued an audit report on their assessment of the effectiveness of the company's internal control over financial reporting. This report appears on page 73.

Miles D. White
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Thomas C. Freyman
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Greg W. Linder
VICE PRESIDENT AND CONTROLLER

February 14, 2008

71


Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Abbott Laboratories:

        We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Abbott Laboratories and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, shareholders' investment, and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

        We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

        As discussed in Notes 1, 2, 4, and 8 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for fair value measurements to adopt Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, and adopted the fair value option under SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, for certain investments in 2007, and the Company changed its method of accounting for pension and other post employment benefits and share-based payments to adopt SFAS No. 158, Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, and SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, in 2006.

        We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 14, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 14, 2008

72


To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Abbott Laboratories:

        We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Abbott Laboratories and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

        We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

        Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

        In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

        We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2007 and our report dated February 14, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and included an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company's adoption of new accounting standards.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 14, 2008

73



TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
(dollars in thousands)

 
  Years Ended December 31
 
 
  2007
  2006
  2005
 
Net Sales   $ 3,001,738   $ 3,362,672   $ 3,259,850  
Proceeds from Patent Settlement     147,925          
Cost of Sales     719,976     835,834     883,404  
Selling, General and Administrative     708,054     769,036     783,041  
Research and Development     161,013     245,476     219,412  
   
 
 
 
Income from Operations     1,560,620     1,512,326     1,373,993  
Interest Income     5,143     13,520     5,339  
Other Expense, net     (1,275 )   (2,033 )   (1 )
   
 
 
 
Income Before Taxes     1,564,488     1,523,813     1,379,331  
Provision for Income Taxes     568,458     572,192     496,559  
   
 
 
 
Net Income     996,030     951,621     882,772  
Other Comprehensive Income:                    
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment and forward contracts, net of tax     1,842     13,145     (13,959 )
   
 
 
 
Comprehensive Income   $ 997,872   $ 964,766   $ 868,813  
   
 
 
 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

74



TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(dollars in thousands)

 
  Years Ended December 31
 
 
  2007
  2006
  2005
 
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:                    
Net income   $ 996,030   $ 951,621   $ 882,772  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:                    
Depreciation and amortization     17,668     18,317     24,137  
Deferred income taxes     (4,772 )   (44,510 )   65,349  
Changes in assets and liabilities:                    
  Accounts receivable     12,890     21,069     (158,980 )
  Inventories     62,237     24,860     1,049  
  Income tax receivable     (13,886 )   (110,897 )    
  Prepaid expenses and other assets     (8,874 )   2,728     9,138  
  Trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities     (59,375 )   (80,092 )   (62,429 )
  Accrued rebates     38,340     (181,835 )   163,643  
  Accrued compensation and benefits     46,330     136,474     9,745  
   
 
 
 
Net Cash Flows From Operating Activities     1,086,588     737,735     934,424  
   
 
 
 

Cash Flows From (Used in) Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Proceeds from maturities of investments     448,425     148,755     153,350  
Purchases of investments     (370,880 )       (281,150 )
Capital expenditures     (8,493 )   (5,366 )   (6,759 )
   
 
 
 
Net Cash Flows From (Used in) Investing Activities     69,052     143,389     (134,559 )
   
 
 
 

Cash Flows (Used in) Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Dividends paid     (1,004,712 )   (974,400 )   (686,155 )
Payments under capital lease obligations     (7,228 )   (1,085 )   (15,344 )
   
 
 
 
Cash Flows (Used in) Financing Activities     (1,011,940 )   (975,485 )   (701,499 )
   
 
 
 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

 

143,700

 

 

(94,361

)

 

98,366

 
Cash and Cash Equivalents — Beginning of Year     66,160     160,521     62,155  
   
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents — End of Year   $ 209,860   $ 66,160   $ 160,521  
   
 
 
 

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Cash paid during the year for income taxes   $ 577,228   $ 754,252   $ 409,336  
   
 
 
 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

75



TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share amount)

 
  December 31
 
 
  2007
  2006
 
Assets              
Current Assets:              
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 209,860   $ 66,160  
Short-term investments     3,100     80,645  
Accounts receivable, net of allowances: 2007 — $57,953; 2006 — $54,141     605,205     635,325  
Receivable from Abbott         7,704  
Receivable from Takeda and subsidiaries     24,934      
Inventories     73,143     135,380  
Income tax receivable     76,785     110,897  
Deferred income taxes     70,744