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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 16, 2001
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 (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer
Jurisdiction 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




Item 5.  Other Events

    Attached as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by this reference is a press release announcing Abbott's sales and earnings for the fourth-quarter and year 2000.

Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

    (c) Exhibits.

Exhibit No.
  Exhibit

99.1   Press Release, dated January 16, 2001


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.

    ABBOTT LABORATORIES

 

 

By:

 

/s/ 
GARY P. COUGHLAN   
       
Gary P. Coughlan
Senior Vice President, Finance
and Chief Financial Officer

Date: January 18, 2001




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For Immediate Release


Abbott reports increases in sales, earnings for fourth-quarter 2000;
sales rise 6.8 percent to $3.7 billion

    ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Jan. 16, 2001Abbott Laboratories today reported increases in sales and earnings for both the fourth quarter and year ended Dec. 31, 2000. Worldwide sales for the fourth quarter were $3.705 billion, up 6.8 percent from $3.468 billion in the fourth quarter of 1999. Total sales were unfavorably impacted 3.3 percent due to the effect of the relatively stronger U.S. dollar. Without the impact of exchange, total sales would have increased by 10.1 percent. Diluted earnings per share for the quarter rose to 48 cents, up 11.6 percent from 43 cents a year ago. Net earnings increased 13.5 percent to $753 million, from $664 million in the fourth quarter of 1999. For the fourth quarter, research and development (R&D) expense was $350 million.


    The following is a summary of Abbott's fourth-quarter 2000 sales for its major business segments:

Sales Summary—
Fourth Quarter 2000

  4Q00
($ millions)

  Percent Change
vs. 4Q99

  Percent Change vs. 4Q99—
Without Impact of Exchange

 
Total Sales   $ 3,705   6.8   10.1  
U.S. Pharmaceutical Sales   $ 761   14.4    
TAP Pharmaceutical Products Sales*
(not consolidated in Abbott's sales)
  $ 955   18.2    
U.S. Hospital Products Sales   $ 678   16.0    
International Sales   $ 853   1.3   9.4  
International Pharmaceuticals   $ 390   2.1   12.0  
International Hospital Products   $ 188   (2.4 ) 6.3  
International Nutritionals   $ 275   2.6   7.6  
Ross Products (U.S.) Sales   $ 493   1.1    
Worldwide Diagnostics Sales   $ 752   (6.4 ) (0.5 )

Note: See page 13 for complete "Consolidated Statement of Earnings."

*
Sales for TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Abbott's joint venture with Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd., of Osaka, Japan. While sales from the joint venture are not consolidated in Abbott's net sales, Abbott's portion of TAP's income is included in a separate income line on the "Consolidated Statement of Earnings."

    The following is a summary of Abbott's 2000 sales for its major business segments:

Sales Summary—
Year Ended 12/31/00

  Year
Ended
12/31/00
($ millions)

  Percent Change
vs. 1999

  Percent Change
vs. 1999—
Without Impact of Exchange

Total Sales   $ 13,746   4.3   6.3
U.S. Pharmaceuticals Sales   $ 2,580   7.6  
TAP Pharmaceutical Products Sales*
(not consolidated in Abbott's sales)
  $ 3,539   20.9  
U.S. Hospital Products Sales   $ 2,507   11.5  
International Sales   $ 3,307   3.2   8.0
International Pharmaceuticals   $ 1,482   (0.2 ) 5.5
International Hospital Products   $ 754   2.6   8.5
International Nutritionals   $ 1,071   8.8   11.6
Ross Products (U.S.) Sales   $ 2,035   4.0  
Worldwide Diagnostics Sales   $ 2,924   (2.9 ) 0.8

Note: See page 14 for complete "Consolidated Statement of Earnings."

*
Sales for TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Abbott's joint venture with Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd., of Osaka, Japan. While sales from the joint venture are not consolidated in Abbott's net sales, Abbott's portion of TAP's income is included in a separate income line on the "Consolidated Statement of Earnings."

    Total sales in U.S. markets were $2.370 billion, up 12.6 percent from $2.105 billion in the fourth quarter of 1999. Total international sales, including direct exports from the United States, were $1.335 billion, a 2.0 percent decrease from $1.363 billion recorded a year ago. International sales were unfavorably impacted 8.4 percent due to the effect of the relatively stronger U.S. dollar. Without the impact of exchange, international sales would have increased by 6.4 percent.

2


2000 results

    Worldwide sales in 2000 increased to $13.746 billion, up 4.3 percent from $13.178 billion a year ago. Total sales were unfavorably impacted 2.0 percent due to the effect of the relatively stronger U.S. dollar. Without the impact of exchange, total sales would have increased by 6.3 percent.

    For the year 2000, diluted earnings per share rose 13.4 percent to $1.78 from $1.57 a year earlier. Net earnings rose to $2.786 billion, an increase of 13.9 percent from $2.446 billion a year ago. Total sales in U.S. markets were $8.590 billion, up 6.1 percent from $8.099 billion in 1999. Total international sales, including direct exports from the United States, were $5.156 billion, a 1.5 percent increase from $5.079 billion recorded a year ago. International sales were unfavorably impacted 5.2 percent due to the effect of the relatively stronger U.S. dollar. Without the impact of exchange, international sales would have increased by 6.7 percent.

    For 2000, R&D expense increased 13.2 percent over 1999.

    "During 2000, the contributions of Abbott people throughout the world were exceptional," said Miles D. White, chairman and chief executive officer. "Our people developed several unique products, such as Kaletra and Sof-Tact, that will make a significant difference in the lives of the patients we serve. The company delivered financial performance in line with its commitments, despite a challenging foreign exchange environment. Abbott also accomplished a number of objectives important for long-term success. We strengthened our scientific focus through increased investment and alignment of all scientific programs under a new chief scientific officer. Finally, the acquisition of Knoll will enhance Abbott's global pharmaceutical business and greatly expand our technical and financial capabilities in the scientific arena."

Review of 2000 business activities

Pharmaceutical Products

3


Hospital Products

Nutritionals

4


Diagnostics

Corporate

    Abbott Laboratories is a global, diversified health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceutical, diagnostic, nutritional and hospital products. The company employs 60,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries. In 2000, the company's sales and net earnings were $13.7 billion and $2.8 billion, respectively, with diluted earnings per share of $1.78.

    Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's Website at www.abbott.com. Abbott will webcast its live fourth-quarter/year-end earnings conference call through its Web site at www.abbottinvestor.com at 9 a.m. today, Central time. An archived edition of the call will be available after 1 p.m., Central time.

5



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

    Some statements in this news release may be forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Abbott cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect Abbott's operations are discussed in Exhibit 99.1 of our 1999 Form 10-K and in our periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, and are incorporated by reference. Abbott undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as the result of subsequent events or developments.

Media Contact: Financial Analyst Contract:
Christy Beckmann John Thomas
(847) 938-9725 (847) 938-2655

6



Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statement of Earnings
Fourth Quarter Ended December 31, 2000 and 1999

 
  Fourth Quarter
 
 
  2000
  1999
  Percent
Change

 
Net Sales   $ 3,704,690,000   $ 3,467,936,000   6.8  
Cost of products sold     1,696,440,000     1,518,823,000   11.7  
Research & development     349,682,000     327,852,000   6.7  
Selling, general & administrative     735,646,000     788,138,000   (6.7 )
Total Operating Cost & Expenses     2,781,768,000     2,634,813,000   5.6  
Operating Earnings     922,922,000     833,123,000   10.8  
Net interest (income)/expense     (782,000 )   15,043,000    
Net foreign exchange (gain)/loss     3,962,000     4,316,000   (8.2 )
(Income) from TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. joint venture (a)     (108,147,000 )   (112,322,000 ) (3.7 )
Other (income)/expense, net     (4,164,000 )   3,861,000    
Earnings Before Taxes     1,032,053,000     922,225,000   11.9  
Taxes on earnings     278,654,000     258,223,000   7.9  
Net Earnings   $ 753,399,000   $ 664,002,000   13.5  
Basic Earnings
Per Common Share
  $ 0.49   $ 0.43   14.0  
Diluted Earnings
Per Common Share
  $ 0.48   $ 0.43   11.6  
Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding                  
Used for Basic Earnings Per Common Share     1,546,270,000     1,542,004,000      
Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding                  
Plus Dilutive Common Stock Options     1,569,999,000     1,557,343,000      
Tax Rate     27.0 %   28.0 %    

a)
Abbott's income from its TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. joint venture for the fourth quarter was adversely affected as a result of an increase in a litigation reserve related to the U.S. Department of Justice investigation of the marketing and sales practices of TAP Pharmaceuticals Inc. for Lupron. While it is not feasible to predict the outcome of these proceedings with certainty, management is of the opinion that their ultimate disposition should not have a material adverse effect on Abbott's financial position or ongoing cash flow and results of operations, but that they could have a material adverse effect on Abbott's cash flow and results of operations for a particular period.

7



Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statement of Earnings
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2000 and 1999

 
  Twelve Months Ended December 31
 
 
  2000
  1999
  Percent
Change

 
Net Sales   $ 13,745,916,000   $ 13,177,625,000   4.3  
Cost of products sold     6,238,646,000     5,977,183,000   4.4  
Research & development     1,351,024,000     1,193,963,000   13.2  
Selling, general & administrative     2,894,178,000     2,857,104,000   1.3  
(Gain) on sale of business     (138,507,000 )      
Total Operating Cost & Expenses     10,345,341,000     10,028,250,000   3.2  
Operating Earnings     3,400,575,000     3,149,375,000   8.0  
Net interest (income)/expense     23,221,000     81,765,000   (71.6 )
Net foreign exchange (gain)/loss     7,287,000     26,238,000   (72.2 )
(Income) from TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc.
joint venture (a)
    (481,340,000 )   (390,152,000 ) 23.4  
Other (income)/expense, net     35,000,000     34,636,000   1.1  
Earnings Before Taxes     3,816,407,000     3,396,888,000   12.4  
Taxes on earnings     1,030,430,000     951,129,000   8.3  
Net Earnings   $ 2,785,977,000   $ 2,445,759,000   13.9  
Basic Earnings Per Common Share   $ 1.80   $ 1.59   13.2  
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share   $ 1.78   $ 1.57   13.4  
Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding                  
Used for Basic Earnings Per Common Share     1,548,015,000     1,536,762,000      
Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding                  
Plus Dilutive Common Stock Options     1,565,579,000     1,557,655,000      
Tax Rate     27.0 %   28.0 %    

a)
Abbott's income from its TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. joint venture for the fourth quarter was adversely affected as a result of an increase in a litigation reserve related to the U.S. Department of Justice investigation of the marketing and sales practices of TAP Pharmaceuticals Inc. for Lupron. While it is not feasible to predict the outcome of these proceedings with certainty, management is of the opinion that their ultimate disposition should not have a material adverse effect on Abbott's financial position or ongoing cash flow and results of operations, but that they could have a material adverse effect on Abbott's cash flow and results of operations for a particular period.

8




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Abbott reports increases in sales, earnings for fourth-quarter 2000; sales rise 6.8 percent to $3.7 billion
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 — A Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statement of Earnings Fourth Quarter Ended December 31, 2000 and 1999
Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statement of Earnings Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2000 and 1999