EL7.AI
StocksMedium•22 October 2026•
3 min read

Abbott Cuts 2026 Sales Outlook, Plans Nutrition Spinoff by End of 2027

Key Facts

1Abbott's third-quarter adjusted earnings per share were $1.42, in line with analysts' estimates.
2Abbott shares fell 3.42% to about $98.95 during the October 21 session.
3BTIG lowered its price target for Abbott to $125 from $134 while maintaining its buy recommendation.
4Abbott had reaffirmed its 2026 comparable sales growth forecast of between 6.5% and 7.5% with its second-quarter results.

Abbott lowered its sales growth forecast for 2026 while announcing plans to spin off its global nutrition business into an independent listed company, as part of announcements issued on October 21. The sales outlook revision came after the company reaffirmed its comparable sales growth forecast of between 6.5% and 7.5% when reviewing its second-quarter results. Abbott said in that review that it had "reaffirmed its full-year comparable sales growth outlook," before cutting it with the latest results announcement. Third-quarter adjusted earnings per share were $1.42, in line with analysts' estimates, according to Investing.com's coverage. The company maintained the midpoint of its full-year adjusted earnings-per-share guidance despite lowering its sales growth forecast.

The sales outlook cut was linked to pressure in the electrophysiology and diabetes businesses, according to Investing.com's coverage of BTIG's reassessment of the stock following the results. The coverage cited management as saying it considered the pressures facing both businesses temporary. In explaining the performance of its heart businesses, management identified pressure in the left atrial appendage closure market, alongside a slowdown in U.S. orders ahead of the new product, according to the earnings call. In diabetes, management pointed to pricing pressure outside the United States as one factor affecting the business outlook. It added that slow progress on insurance coverage was also weighing on that outlook, while describing some businesses as experiencing "weaker near-term growth," according to Investing.com's coverage of the call.

Abbott shares traded at about $98.95 at 12:30 p.m. Eastern time on October 21, according to Investing.com. The stock was down 3.42% at that point in the session following the announcement of results and guidance. Among analyst assessments, BTIG lowered its price target for the stock to $125, according to an Investing.com report published after the third-quarter results. The firm had previously set its price target at $134, and coverage of the adjustment linked the revision to the sales outlook cut. The firm maintained its buy recommendation despite lowering its price target.

The planned nutrition spinoff is among the moves Abbott announced alongside third-quarter results in which adjusted earnings per share matched estimates. The business slated for separation has annual sales of approximately $8.5 billion, according to the company's official announcement. Abbott intends to turn the global business into an independent publicly traded company. Completion remains subject to regulatory approvals and the registration statement becoming effective. The spinoff also requires final board approval, and Abbott aims to complete it by the end of 2027.