ABBOTT LABORATORIES — Earnings Release 2009

Jan 21, 2009

8-K 1 a09-3531_18k.htm 8-K

*UNITED STATES*

*SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION*

*Washington, D. C. 20549*

*FORM 8-K*

*CURRENT REPORT*

*Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the*

*Securities Exchange Act of 1934*

*January 21, 2009*

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

*ABBOTT LABORATORIES*

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Illinois	1-2189	36-0698440
(State or other Jurisdiction	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer
of Incorporation)		Identification No.)

*100 Abbott Park Road*

*Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6400*

(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (847) 937-6100

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

| o | Written communications
pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| --- | --- |
| o | Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12) |
| o | Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17
CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| o | Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17
CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |

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Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On January 21, 2009, Abbott Laboratories announced its results of operations for the fourth quarter and full year 2008.

Furnished as Exhibit 99.1, and incorporated herein by reference, is the news release issued by Abbott announcing those results. In that news release, Abbott uses various non-GAAP financial measures including, among others: net earnings excluding specified items and diluted earnings per common share excluding specified items. These non-GAAP financial measures adjust for factors that are unusual or unpredictable, such as acquisition-related costs, cost reduction initiatives, litigation settlements, acquired in-process research and development and gains and losses related to certain investments. Abbott’s management believes the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors regarding Abbott’s results of operations as these non-GAAP financial measures allow investors to better evaluate ongoing business performance. Abbott’s management also uses these non-GAAP financial measures internally to monitor performance of the businesses. Abbott, however, cautions investors to consider these non-GAAP financial measures in addition to, and not as a substitute for, financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Item 9.01
Exhibit No.	Exhibit
99.1	Press Release dated
January 21, 2009 (furnished pursuant to Item 2.02).

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*SIGNATURE*

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

/s/ Thomas C. Freyman
Thomas C. Freyman
Executive Vice President, Finance
and Chief Financial Officer

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*EXHIBIT INDEX*

Exhibit No.	Exhibit
99.1	Press Release, dated January 21, 2009 (furnished
pursuant to Item 2.02).

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