Abbott Laboratories 10-K 2020-12-31

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-K

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(MARK ONE)	​
☒	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

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For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020	Commission file number 1-2189

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Abbott Laboratories

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An Illinois Corporation	36-0698440
100 Abbott Park RoadAbbott Park, Illinois 60064-6400	(I.R.S. employer identification number) (224) 667-6100(telephone number)

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

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Title of Each Class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Shares, Without Par Value	ABT	New York Stock Exchange Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc.

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

Yes ⌧		No ☐

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

Yes ☐		No ⌧

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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 ⌧		No ☐

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes ⌧		No ☐

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

Large Accelerated Filer ⌧	Accelerated Filer ☐	Non-Accelerated Filer ☐	Smaller reporting company **☐**Emerging growth company ☐

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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒

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

Yes ☐		No ☒

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The aggregate market value of the 1,727,625,764 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, 2020), was $157,956,823,602**. Abbott has no non-voting common equity. Number of common shares outstanding as of January 31, 2021:** 1,771,529,358

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the 2021 Abbott Laboratories Proxy Statement are incorporated by reference into Part III. The Definitive Proxy Statement will be filed on or about March 12, 2021.

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PART I

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.

NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Abbott has four reportable segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices.

Established Pharmaceutical Products

These products include a broad line of branded generic pharmaceuticals manufactured worldwide and marketed and sold outside the United States in emerging markets. These products are generally sold directly to wholesalers, distributors, government agencies, health care facilities, pharmacies, and independent retailers from Abbott-owned distribution centers and public warehouses, depending on the market served. Certain products are co-marketed or co-promoted with, or licensed from, other companies.

The principal products included in the broad therapeutic area portfolios of the Established Pharmaceutical Products segment are:

	●	gastroenterology products, including Creon™, for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency associated with several underlying conditions, including cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis; Duspatal™ and Dicetel™, for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm; Heptral™, Transmetil™, and Samyr™, for the treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis (associated with liver disease) or depressive symptoms; and Duphalac™, for regulation of the physiological rhythm of the colon;

	●	women’s health products, including Duphaston™, for the treatment of many different gynecological disorders; and Femoston™, a hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal women;

	●	cardiovascular and metabolic products, including Lipanthyl™ and TriCor™, for the treatment of dyslipidemia; Teveten™ and Teveten™ Plus, for the treatment of essential hypertension, and Physiotens™, for the treatment of hypertension; and Synthroid™, for the treatment of hypothyroidism;

	●	pain and central nervous system products, including Serc™, for the treatment of Ménière’s disease and vestibular vertigo; Brufen™, for the treatment of pain, fever, and inflammation; and Sevedol™, for the treatment of severe migraines; and

	●	respiratory drugs and vaccines, including the anti-infective clarithromycin (sold under the trademarks Biaxin™, Klacid™, and Klaricid™); and Influvac™, an influenza vaccine.

The Established Pharmaceutical Products segment directs its primary marketing efforts toward building strong brands with key stakeholders, including consumers, pharmacists, physicians, and other healthcare providers. Government agencies are also important customers.

Competition in the Established Pharmaceutical Products segment is generally from other health care and pharmaceutical companies. In addition, the substitution of generic drugs for the brand prescribed and introduction of additional forms of already marketed established products by generic or branded competitors may increase competitive pressures.

• 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.

Diagnostic Products

These products include a broad line of diagnostic systems and tests manufactured, marketed, and sold worldwide. These products are generally marketed and sold directly to blood banks, hospitals, commercial laboratories, clinics, physicians’ offices, retailers, government agencies, alternate care testing sites, and plasma protein therapeutic companies from Abbott owned distribution centers, public warehouses or third party distributors.

The principal products included in the Diagnostic Products segment are:

	●	core laboratory systems in the areas of immunoassay, clinical chemistry, hematology, and transfusion medicine, including the Alinity® family of instruments, ARCHITECT®, ABBOTT PRISM®, and Cell-Dyn®, with assays used for screening and/or diagnosis for cancer, cardiac, metabolics, drugs of abuse, fertility, general chemistries, infectious diseases such as hepatitis and HIV, therapeutic drug monitoring, and a suite of SARS-CoV-2 serology assays;

	●	molecular diagnostics polymerase chain reaction (PCR) instrument systems, including Alinity® m and m2000™ that automate the extraction, purification, and preparation of DNA and RNA from patient samples, and detect and measure infectious agents including HIV, hepatitis, HPV, sexually transmitted infections, and SARS-CoV-2; and products for oncology with the Vysis® FISH product line of genomic-based tests;

	●	point of care systems, including the i-STAT® and next-generation i-STAT® Alinity® and cartridges for testing blood gas, chemistry, electrolytes, coagulation and immunoassay;

	●	rapid diagnostics lateral flow testing products in the area of infectious diseases, including respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, HIV, hepatitis, and tropical diseases such as malaria and dengue fever; molecular point-of-care testing for HIV, including the m-PIMA® HIV-1/2 Viral Load Test, and for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A & B, RSV and strep A, including the ID NOW® rapid molecular system; cardiometabolic testing, including Afinion® and Cholestech™ platforms and tests; a toxicology business for drug and alcohol testing; and remote patient monitoring and consumer self-testing; and

	●	informatics and automation solutions for use in laboratories, including laboratory automation systems, the RALS® point of care solution, and AlinIQ®, a suite of informatics tools and professional services.

The Diagnostic Products segment’s products are subject to competition in technological innovation, price, convenience of use, service, instrument warranty provisions, product performance, laboratory efficiency, 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 or regulatory changes. 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 marketed and sold directly to consumers and to institutions, wholesalers, retailers, health care facilities, government agencies, and third-party distributors from Abbott-owned distribution centers or third-party distributors.

The principal products included in the Nutritional Products segment are:

	●	various forms of prepared infant formula and follow-on formula, including Similac®, Similac Pro-Advance®, Similac® Advance®, Similac® Advance® Non-GMO, Similac Pro-Sensitive®, Similac Sensitive®, Similac Sensitive® Non-GMO, Go&Grow by Similac®, Similac® NeoSure®, Similac® Organic, Similac® Special Care®, Similac Total Comfort®*, Similac® For Supplementation, Isomil® Advance®, Isomil®, Alimentum®, Gain™, Grow™, Similac En Mei Li™, and Eleva™;

	●	adult and other pediatric nutritional products, including Ensure®, Ensure Plus®, Ensure® Enlive®, Ensure® (with NutriVigor®), Ensure® Max Protein, Ensure® High Protein, Glucerna®, Glucerna Hunger Smart®, ProSure™, PediaSure®, PediaSure SideKicks®, PediaSure® Peptide, EleCare®, Juven®, Abound™, Pedialyte® and Zone Perfect®; and

	●	nutritional products used in enteral feeding in health care institutions, including Jevity®, Glucerna® 1.2 Cal, Glucerna® 1.5 Cal, Osmolite®, Oxepa®, Freego™ (Enteral Pump) and Freego™ sets, Nepro®, and Vital®.

• These products are available with 2'‐FL HMO (Human Milk Oligosaccharide) in several markets.

Primary marketing efforts for nutritional products are directed toward consumers or to securing the recommendation of Abbott’s brand of products by physicians or other health care professionals. In addition, certain nutritional products sold as Similac®, Gain™, Grow™, Eleva™, PediaSure®, PediaSure SideKicks®, Pedialyte®, Ensure®, Zone Perfect®, and Glucerna® are also promoted directly to the public by consumer marketing efforts in select markets where appropriate.

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, retail distribution, and availability of product forms. A significant aspect of competition is the search for ingredient innovations. The introduction of new products by competitors, changes in medical practices and procedures, and regulatory changes can result in product obsolescence. In addition, private label and local manufacturers’ products may increase competitive pressure.

Medical Devices

These products include a broad line of rhythm management, electrophysiology, heart failure, vascular and structural heart devices for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes care products for people with diabetes, as well as neuromodulation devices for the management of chronic pain and movement disorders. Medical devices are manufactured, marketed and sold worldwide. In the United States, depending upon the product, medical devices are generally marketed and sold directly to wholesalers, hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, physicians’ offices, and distributors 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 principal products included in the Medical Devices segment are:

	●	rhythm management products, including Assurity MRI® and Endurity MRI® pacemaker systems; Ellipse®, Fortify Assura®, and Gallant™ implantable cardioverter defibrillators and Gallant and Quadra Assura MP® implantable cardioverter defibrillator with cardiac resynchronization therapy and MultiPoint® Pacing technology; and Confirm Rx® implantable cardiac monitor;

	●	electrophysiology products, including the TactiCath® family of ablation catheters and FlexAbility® irrigated ablation catheters; Ampere® RF ablation generator; EnSite® family of cardiac mapping systems; and the Advisor® HD Grid mapping catheter;

	●	heart failure related products, including the HeartMate™ left ventricular device family and the CardioMEMS® HF System pulmonary artery sensor, a heart failure monitoring system;

	●	vascular products, including the XIENCE™ family of drug-eluting coronary stent systems developed on the Multi-Link Vision® platform; StarClose SE® and Perclose ProGlide® vessel closure devices, TREK® coronary balloon dilatation products, Hi-Torque Balance Middleweight Universal II® guidewires, Supera® Peripheral Stent System, a peripheral vascular stent system; Acculink®/Accunet® and Xact®/Emboshield NAV6®, carotid stent systems; and the OPTIS® integrated system with the Dragonfly OPTIS® imaging catheter and PressureWire® fractional flow reserve measurement systems;

	●	structural heart products, including MitraClip®, a percutaneous mitral valve repair system; Trifecta® Valve with Glide™ Technology, a surgical tissue heart valve; Portico® transcatheter aortic heart valve; Regent™ mechanical heart valve; Amplatzer® PFO occluders; Amplatzer Amulet® occluder devices; the Tendyne® Transcatheter Mitral Valve Implantation (TMVI) system; and the TriClip® Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Repair System;

	●	continuous glucose and blood glucose monitoring systems, including test strips, sensors, data management decision software, and accessories for people with diabetes, under the FreeStyle® brand such as the FreeStyle Libre® system; and

	●	neuromodulation products, including spinal cord stimulators Proclaim® Elite and Proclaim® XR Recharge-free implantable pulse generators (IPG) and Prodigy MRI® IPG, each with BurstDR® stimulation, and Proclaim® DRG IPG, a neurostimulation device designed for dorsal root ganglion therapy, for the treatment of chronic pain disorders; and the Infinity® Deep Brain Stimulation System with directional lead technology for the treatment of movement disorders.

These 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 or regulatory changes. 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.

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 around the world. There have been no recent significant availability problems or supply shortages for raw materials or supplies.

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 countries of interest to Abbott. Abbott owns or has licenses 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 4. These, and various patents which expire during the period 2021 to 2041, in the aggregate, are believed to be of material importance in the operation of Abbott’s business. Abbott believes that no single patent, license, or trademark is material in relation to Abbott’s business as a whole.

Seasonal Aspects, Customers, and Renegotiation

There are no significant seasonal aspects to Abbott’s business. Abbott has no single customer that, if the customer 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 a government.

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 2020 were not material and are not expected to be material in 2021.

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 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 results of operations.

Human Capital

The sustainability of Abbott’s business depends on attracting, engaging and developing talented people with diverse backgrounds who share Abbott’s mission to help people live their healthiest possible lives. Abbott provides its employees opportunities to grow and develop their careers, market competitive compensation and benefit programs, and the satisfaction of being part of a global company dedicated to improving health in more than 160 countries.

As of December 31, 2020, Abbott employed approximately 109,000 people, 70% of whom were employed outside of the U.S. Women represented 47% of Abbott’s U.S. workforce, 45% of its global workforce, and 39% of its managers.

Health and Safety

The health, safety and wellness of its employees is an Abbott priority embedded at every level of its business. Abbott’s integrated Environmental, Health and Safety organization governs health, safety and wellness at Abbott’s facilities. Abbott also maintains global policies and standards for managing employee health and safety.

Abbott takes a holistic approach to employee well-being. Abbott’s global wellness programs are designed to meet the unique needs of employees across businesses and geographies and offer a wide range of programs, including supporting the mental, financial and physical health of employees and their families. For example, for over 20 years, Abbott has annually offered Exercise Across Abbott, which is a four-week physical wellness program that encourages employees to team up with colleagues and track how many minutes they exercise each day. Over 22,000 Abbott employees across 72 countries took part in 2020.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Abbott has taken aggressive steps to limit exposure and enhance the safety of facilities for its employees, including implementing mandatory temperature screening and social distancing, providing and requiring the use of personal protective equipment, and at most U.S. facilities, onsite COVID-19 testing.

Talent Management

Abbott has an integrated global talent management process that is designed to identify and assess talent across the organization and provide equal and consistent opportunities for employees to develop their skills. All levels of employees participate in Abbott’s annual performance management process to create development plans that support their particular career objectives, and Abbott provides a broad range of training, mentoring and other development opportunities to help its employees meet these objectives. The board of directors conducts an annual Talent Management Review, focusing on development of talent, diversity, and succession planning for critical positions. Similar reviews take place at every level of Abbott to develop talent and diversity across the organization.

Diversity and Inclusion

Abbott is committed to developing a workplace that is inclusive for all. Abbott ties executive compensation to human capital management, including diversity outcomes, to sustain an inclusive culture and the fair and balanced treatment of Abbott’s employees.

Abbott’s employee networks play an important role in building an inclusive culture across all Abbott operations. A member of Abbott’s senior management serves as a sponsor for each of these networks, helping to align their objectives with Abbott’s business strategies. Abbott has ten such networks, which are: Advancing Professionals Network (supporting early career employees), Asian Leadership and Cultural Network, Black Business Network, Flex Network (employees with part-time and flexible schedules), LA VOICE Network (supporting Hispanic and Latino employees), People with Disabilities Network, PRIDE (supporting LGBTQ employees), Veterans Network, Women Leaders of Abbott, and Women in STEM.

Abbott offers professional development programs, which provide recent college graduates the opportunity to rotate through different areas of Abbott, often with the chance to work outside their home country. In 2020, 52% of the participants were women. Also, Abbott hosts hundreds of college students for paid internships. In 2020, 55% of the U.S. interns were women and 39% were minorities. Further, Abbott has operated a STEM internship program for high school students in the U.S. since 2012. The program’s objective is to increase the number of students pursuing STEM-related careers and contribute to a more diverse talent pipeline for Abbott. In 2020, 58% of the STEM interns were women and 71% were minorities.

Compensation and Benefits

Abbott is committed to building, retaining, and motivating a diverse talent pipeline that can meet the current and future needs of its businesses. To that end, Abbott provides market competitive compensation, healthcare benefits, pension and/or retirement savings plans, and several programs to facilitate employees building an ownership stake in Abbott, including a global long-term incentive program for employees generally beginning at the manager level. Abbott also has procedures and processes focused on providing employees equitable compensation, regardless of race or gender or other personal characteristics.

Regulation

The development, manufacture, marketing, sale, promotion, and distribution of Abbott’s products are subject to comprehensive government regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and similar international regulatory agencies. Government regulation by various international, supranational, federal and state agencies addresses (among other matters) the development and approval to market Abbott’s products, as well as the inspection of, and controls over, research and laboratory procedures, clinical investigations, product approvals and manufacturing, labeling, packaging, supply chains, marketing and promotion, pricing and reimbursement, sampling, distribution, quality control, post-market surveillance, record keeping, storage, and disposal practices. In addition, Abbott’s clinical laboratories and associated testing services are subject to comprehensive government regulation, including registration, certification, and licensure, by federal, state, and local agencies, such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and their respective foreign counterparts. Certain of these agencies require our clinical laboratories to meet quality assurance, quality control, and personnel standards and undergo inspections.

During the COVID-19 public health emergency, many pandemic-related products (including diagnostic tests) were authorized by regulators for emergency use solely during the pandemic. In addition, many governments enacted policies to expedite or promote access to health care in order to slow or stop the spread of the virus. Examples include expansion of telehealth coverages and increased reimbursements for diagnostic testing. It is uncertain when the public health emergency will end and to what extent these policies will continue or revert back to previous policies.

Abbott’s international operations are also affected by trade and investment regulations in many countries. These may require local investment, restrict Abbott’s investments, or limit the import of raw materials and finished products.

Abbott’s laboratory facilities and home monitoring services, which provide services, related products and medical devices to consumers, are subject to additional laws and regulations applicable to health care providers and suppliers that submit claims for reimbursement to third-party payors. In the United States, Medicare, Medicaid, and other third-party payors may from time to time conduct inquiries, claims audits, investigations, and enforcement actions relating to the claims or enrollment criteria.

Abbott is subject to laws and regulations pertaining to health care fraud and abuse, including state and federal anti-kickback, anti-self-referral, and false claims laws in the United States. Prescription drug, nutrition, and medical device manufacturers such as Abbott are also subject to taxes, as well as application, product, user, establishment, and other fees. Governmental agencies can also invalidate intellectual property rights.

Compliance with these laws and regulations is costly and materially affects Abbott’s business. Among other effects, health care regulations and significant changes thereto (such as the introduction of the Medical Device Regulation and the In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device Regulation in the European Union) substantially increase the time, difficulty, and costs incurred in developing, obtaining and maintaining approval to market, and marketing newly developed and existing products. Abbott expects this regulatory environment will continue to require significant technical expertise and investment to ensure compliance. Failure to comply can delay the release of a new product or result in regulatory and enforcement actions, the seizure or recall of a product, the suspension or revocation of the authority necessary for a product’s production and sale, suspension or revocation of billing privileges, and other civil or criminal sanctions, including fines and penalties. Similarly, compliance with the laws and regulations governing clinical laboratories and testing services requires specialized expertise. Failure to comply with these regulatory requirements can result in sanctions, including suspension, revocation, or limitation of a laboratory’s certification, which is necessary to conduct business, as well as significant fines or criminal penalties.

Abbott’s business can also be affected by ongoing studies of the utilization, safety, efficacy, and outcomes of health care products and their components that are regularly conducted by industry participants, government agencies, and others. These studies can call into question the utilization, safety, and efficacy of previously marketed products. In some cases, these studies have resulted, and may in the future result, in the discontinuation of marketing of such products in one or more countries, and may give rise to claims for damages from persons who believe they have been injured as a result of their use.

Access to human health care products continues to be a subject of investigation and action by governmental agencies, legislative bodies, and private organizations in many countries. A major focus is cost containment. Efforts to reduce health care costs are also being made in the private sector, notably by health care payors and providers, which have instituted various cost reduction and containment measures. Abbott expects insurers and providers will continue attempts to reduce the cost or utilization of health care products. Many countries control the price of health care products directly or indirectly, through reimbursement, payment, pricing, or coverage limitations. Budgetary pressures on health care payors may also heighten the scope and severity of pricing pressures on Abbott’s products for the foreseeable future. In the United States, the federal government regularly evaluates reimbursement for medical devices, diagnostics, supplies, and other products, as well as the procedures in which these products may be used. The 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 the diagnosis and/or procedure 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. Other payment methodology changes have been proposed and implemented from time to time. For example, Medicare implemented a competitive bidding system for certain durable medical equipment (including diabetes products), enteral nutrition products, and supplies. Additionally, the Protecting Access to Medicare Act established a new payment system for clinical laboratory tests in 2018.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the Affordable Care Act) includes provisions known as the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, which requires manufacturers of drugs, devices, and medical supplies covered under Medicare and Medicaid to record any transfers of value to physicians and teaching hospitals and to report this data to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for subsequent public disclosure. In October 2018, the Substance Use Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act significantly expanded the types of healthcare providers for which reporting is required, beginning with reports filed in 2022. Similar reporting requirements have also been enacted on the state level domestically, and an increasing number of governments worldwide either have adopted or are considering similar laws requiring transparency of interactions with health care professionals. Failure to report appropriate data may result in civil or criminal fines and/or penalties.

Policy changes or implementation of new health care legislation could result in significant changes to health care systems. In the United States, this could include potential modification, including expansion or repeal of all or parts of the Affordable Care Act.

The regulation of data privacy and security, and the protection of the confidentiality of certain personal information (including patient health information, financial information and other sensitive personal information), is increasing. For example, the European Union, various other countries, and various U.S. states (e.g., California) have enacted stricter data protection laws that contain enhanced financial penalties for noncompliance. Similarly, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued rules governing the use, disclosure, and security of protected health information, and the FDA has issued further guidance concerning cybersecurity for medical devices. In addition, certain countries have issued or are considering “data localization” laws, which limit companies’ ability to transfer protected data across country borders. Failure to comply with data privacy and security laws and regulations can result in business disruption and enforcement actions, which could include civil or criminal penalties. Transferring and managing protected information will become more challenging as laws and regulations are enacted or amended, and Abbott expects there will be increasing complexity in this area.

Governmental cost containment efforts also affect Abbott’s nutritional products business. In the United States, for example, under regulations governing the federally funded Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, all states must have a cost containment program for infant formula. As a result, through competitive bidding states obtain rebates from manufacturers of infant formula whose products are used in the program.

Abbott expects debate to continue at all government levels worldwide over the manufacture, quality assurance requirements, marketing authorization processes, post-market surveillance requirements, availability, method of delivery, and payment for health care products and services, as well as data privacy and security. Abbott believes that future legislation and regulation in the markets it serves could affect the timing and expense associated with bringing health care products or services to market, access to health care products and services, increase rebates, reduce prices or reimbursements or the rate of price increases for health care products and services, change health care delivery systems, create new fees and obligations for the pharmaceutical, nutrition, diagnostic, and medical device industries, or require additional reporting and disclosure. 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.

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 (the Commission). These reports and other information are also available, free of charge, at www.sec.gov.

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).

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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.

Business and Operational 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, 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 or transition disposed businesses efficiently, 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, result in increased borrowing costs and interest expense, and decrease liquidity.

Abbott depends on sophisticated information technology systems and maintains protected personal data, and a cyber attack or other breach affecting these information technology systems or protected data could have a material adverse effect on Abbott’s results of operations.

Similar to other large multi-national companies, the size and complexity of the information technology systems on which Abbott relies for both its infrastructure and products makes them susceptible to a cyber attack, malicious intrusion, breakdown, destruction, loss of data privacy, or other significant disruption. These systems have been and are expected to continue to be the target of malware and other cyber attacks. In addition, third party hacking attempts may cause Abbott’s information technology systems and related products, protected data, or proprietary information to be compromised or stolen. A significant attack or other disruption could result in adverse consequences, including increased costs and expenses, manufacturing challenges or disruption, problems with product functionality, damage to customer relations, lost revenue, and legal or regulatory penalties.

Abbott also collects, manages and processes protected personal data, including protected health information, in connection with certain medical products and service offerings. Abbott is subject to certain regional and local data protection laws that prohibit or restrict the transfer of protected data across country borders. For additional information concerning data privacy and security regulation, see the discussion in “Regulation” under Item 1, “Business.” A breach of protected personal information could result in adverse consequences, including regulatory inquiries or litigation, increased costs and expenses, reputational damage, lost revenue, and fines or penalties.

Abbott invests in its systems and technology and in the protection of its products and data to reduce the risk of an attack or other significant disruption, and monitors its systems on an ongoing basis for any current or potential threats and for changes in technology and the regulatory environment. There can be no assurance that these measures and efforts will prevent future attacks or other significant disruptions to any of the systems on which Abbott relies or that related product issues will not arise in the future. Similarly, there can be no assurance that third party information technology providers with whom Abbott contracts will not suffer a significant attack or disruption that impacts customers like Abbott. Any significant breach, attack or other disruption involving Abbott’s systems or products could have a material adverse effect on Abbott’s business.

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 risk 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 products and technologies 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, 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, changing industry or regulatory standards, or competitors’ innovations. 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 technologies, or new indications or uses for existing products, may cause Abbott’s products or technologies to become obsolete, causing Abbott’s revenues and operating results to suffer.

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. In addition, single suppliers are currently used for certain products and materials. If problems arise during the production of a lot or batch of product, those products may have to be discarded. If problems are not discovered before the product is released to the market, recall and product liability costs may also be incurred. Any of these events 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 lots, batches or products. 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.

Abbott has significant indebtedness, which could adversely affect its business, including decreasing its business flexibility.

As of December 31, 2020, Abbott's consolidated indebtedness was approximately $18.7 billion. This consolidated indebtedness could have the effect, among other things, of reducing Abbott's flexibility to respond to changing business and economic conditions, and reducing funds available for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, and other general corporate purposes.

Further, Abbott may be required to raise additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, future acquisitions or other general corporate purposes. Abbott's ability to arrange additional financing or refinancing will depend on, among other factors, Abbott's financial position and performance, as well as prevailing market conditions and other factors beyond Abbott's control. Consequently, Abbott cannot assure that it will be able to obtain additional financing or refinancing on terms acceptable to Abbott or at all, which could adversely impact Abbott's ability to make scheduled payments with respect to its consolidated indebtedness and its profitability and financial condition.

Additionally, further borrowing could cause a deterioration of Abbott's credit ratings. Abbott's credit ratings reflect each credit rating agency's then opinion of Abbott's financial strength, operating performance, and ability to meet its debt obligations. Adverse changes in Abbott's credit ratings may result in increased borrowing costs for future long-term debt or short-term borrowing facilities and may limit financing options, including access to the unsecured borrowing market. Abbott may also be subject to additional restrictive covenants that would reduce flexibility.

Legal and Regulatory Risks

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 FDA and numerous international, supranational, federal, and state authorities. The process of obtaining regulatory approvals to market a drug, medical device, or diagnostic product 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 substantial additional costs.

In addition, no assurance can be given that Abbott will remain in compliance with applicable FDA and other regulatory requirements once approval or marketing authorization 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. 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 for non-compliance 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 facilities while Abbott or Abbott’s suppliers remedy the alleged violation; the inability to obtain future pre-market approvals or marketing authorizations; 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 subject to various international, supranational, federal, and state 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, and international 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 government health care programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans Administration health programs in the U.S. 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.

Changes in the health care regulatory environment may adversely affect Abbott’s business.

Both in the U.S. and internationally, government authorities may enact changes in regulatory requirements, make legislative or administrative reforms to existing reimbursement programs, make adverse decisions relating to Abbott’s products’ coverage or reimbursement, or make changes to patient access to health care, all of which could adversely impact the demand for and usage of Abbott’s products or the prices that Abbott’s customers are willing to pay for them.

Further, in the U.S., a number of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 address access to health care products and services. These provisions may be modified, expanded, repealed, or otherwise invalidated, in whole or in part. Future rulemaking could affect rebates, prices or the rate of price increases for health care products and services, or required reporting and disclosure. Abbott cannot predict the timing or impact of any future rulemaking or changes in the law.

For additional information concerning health care regulation, see the discussion in “Regulation” under Item 1, “Business.”

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 companies, 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 businesses could suffer. To the extent that countries do not enforce Abbott’s intellectual property rights, Abbott’s future revenues and operating income could be reduced. Any material litigation regarding Abbott’s patents and trademarks is described in the section captioned “Legal Proceedings.”

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

Health care products typically 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 intended use, either of which could reduce the product’s market acceptance. If serious safety issues arise with an Abbott product, sales of the product could be halted by Abbott or by regulatory authorities. Safety issues affecting suppliers’ or competitors’ products also may reduce the market acceptance of Abbott’s products.

In addition, in the ordinary course of business, Abbott is the subject of product liability claims and lawsuits alleging that its products or the products of other companies that Abbott promotes have resulted or could result in an unsafe condition for, or injury to, patients. Product liability claims and lawsuits, safety alerts or product recalls, and other allegations of product safety or quality issues, regardless of their validity or ultimate outcome, may have a material adverse effect on Abbott’s business and reputation and on Abbott’s ability to attract and retain customers. Consequences may also include additional costs, a decrease in market share for the products, lower income or exposure to other claims. Product liability losses are self-insured. Product liability claims could have a material adverse effect on Abbott’s profitability and financial condition.

Economic and Industry Risks

Abbott is subject to risks related to public health crises, such as widespread outbreaks of infectious diseases like the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a global healthcare company, public health crises, such as the widespread outbreaks of infectious diseases like the COVID-19 pandemic, may negatively impact Abbott's operations. Health concerns and significant changes in political or economic conditions caused by such outbreaks can cause significant reductions in demand for routine diagnostic testing and medical device procedures or increased difficulty in serving customers, disrupt manufacturing and supply chains, and negatively affect our operations as well as the operations of our suppliers, distributors and other third-party partners. Furthermore, such widespread outbreaks may impact the broader economies of affected countries, including negatively impacting economic growth, the proper functioning of financial and capital markets, foreign currency exchange rates, and interest rates.

With regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA issued Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for several COVID-19 related products in 2020, including Abbott diagnostic tests. EUAs are authorized for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency unless sooner terminated or revoked. Abbott is actively pursuing the FDA’s customary regulatory approval process for these diagnostic tests which has uncertainty as discussed in “Abbott is subject to numerous governmental regulations and it can be costly to comply with these regulations and to develop compliant products and processes.” in “Legal and Regulatory Risks” under “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”

Due to the unpredictability of the duration and impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will have a material effect on Abbott’s business, financial condition or results of operations is uncertain. A more detailed discussion on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Abbott’s business is contained in the “Financial Review” section in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this report.

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 health care or other factors, Abbott’s future revenues and operating income will be reduced.

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

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

Abbott’s products face intense competition from competitive 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 competitors’ products.

Fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates may adversely affect our financial statements and Abbott’s ability to realize projected sales and earnings.

Although Abbott’s financial statements are denominated in U.S. dollars, a significant portion of Abbott’s revenues and costs are realized in other currencies. Sales outside of the United States in 2020 made up approximately 62 percent of Abbott’s net sales. Abbott’s profitability is affected by movement of the U.S. dollar against other currencies. Fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies may also affect the reported value of Abbott’s assets and liabilities, as well as its cash flows. Some foreign currencies are subject to government exchange controls. While Abbott enters into hedging arrangements to mitigate some of its foreign currency exposure, Abbott cannot predict with any certainty changes in foreign currency exchange rates or its ability to mitigate these risks.

Information on the impact of foreign exchange rates on Abbott’s financial results is contained in the “Financial Review — Results of Operations” section in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this report. A discussion of the steps taken to mitigate the impact of foreign exchange is contained in Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk in Abbott’s 2020 Form 10-K. Information on Abbott’s hedging arrangements is contained in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements in this report.

Deterioration in the economic condition and credit quality of certain countries may negatively affect Abbott’s results of operations.

Unfavorable economic conditions in certain countries may increase the time it takes to collect outstanding trade receivables. Financial instability and fiscal deficits in these countries may result in additional austerity measures to reduce costs, including health care. Deterioration in the quality of sovereign debt, including credit downgrades, could increase Abbott’s collection risk where a significant amount of Abbott’s receivables in these countries are with governmental health care systems or where Abbott’s customers depend on payment by government health care systems.

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 managing a global supply chain and doing business internationally. Sales outside of the United States in 2020 made up approximately 62 percent of Abbott’s net sales. Additional risks associated with Abbott’s international operations include:

	●	differing local product preferences and product requirements;

	●	trade protection measures, including tariffs, import or export licensing requirements, and changes to international trade agreements;

	●	difficulty in establishing, staffing, and managing operations;

	●	differing labor regulations;

	●	potentially negative consequences from changes in or interpretations of tax laws;

	●	political and economic instability, including sovereign debt issues;

	●	restrictions on local currency conversion and/or cash extraction;

	●	price controls, limitations on participation in local enterprises, expropriation, nationalization, and other governmental action;

	●	inflation, recession, and fluctuations in interest rates;

	●	diminished protection of intellectual property; and

	●	potential penalties or other adverse consequences for violations of anti-corruption, anti-bribery, and other similar laws and regulations, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Bribery Act.

Events contemplated by these risks may, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on Abbott’s revenues and profitability.

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:

	●	changes in or interpretations of laws and regulations, including changes in accounting standards, taxation requirements, product marketing application standards, product labeling standards, source and use laws, and environmental laws;

	●	differences between the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities and their actual value, particularly for pensions, retiree health care, stock compensation, intangibles, goodwill, and contingent consideration; and for contingent liabilities such as litigation, the absence of a recorded amount, or an amount recorded at the minimum, compared to the actual amount;

	●	changes in the rate of inflation (including the cost of raw materials, commodities, and supplies), interest rates, market value of Abbott’s equity investments, and the performance of investments held by Abbott or Abbott’s employee benefit trusts;

	●	changes in the creditworthiness of counterparties that transact business with or provide services to Abbott or Abbott’s employee benefit trusts;

	●	changes in business, economic, and political conditions, including: war, political instability, terrorist attacks, the threat of future terrorist activity and related military action; global climate, extreme weather and natural disasters; the cost and availability of insurance due to any of the foregoing events; labor disputes, strikes, slow-downs, or other forms of labor or union activity; and pressure from third-party interest groups;

	●	changes in Abbott’s business units and investments and changes in the relative and absolute contribution of each to earnings and cash flow resulting from evolving business strategies, changing product mix, changes in tax laws or tax rates both in the U.S. and abroad and opportunities existing now or in the future;

	●	changes in the buying patterns of a major distributor, retailer, or wholesale customer resulting from buyer purchasing decisions, pricing, seasonality, or other factors, or other problems with licensors, suppliers, distributors, and business partners; and

	●	legal difficulties, any of which could preclude or delay commercialization of products or adversely affect profitability, including claims asserting statutory or regulatory violations, and adverse litigation decisions.

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 unknown or future events. Abbott undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as the result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law.

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None.

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As of December 31, 2020, Abbott owned or leased properties totaling approximately 43 million square feet, of which approximately 65% is owned by Abbott. Abbott’s principal corporate offices are located in Illinois and are owned by Abbott.

Abbott operates 93 manufacturing facilities globally. Abbott’s facilities are deemed suitable and provide adequate productive capacity. The manufacturing facilities are used by Abbott’s reportable segments as follows:

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​	​	​
​		Manufacturing
Reportable Segments	​	Sites
Medical Devices		27
Diagnostic Products		24
Established Pharmaceutical Products		28
Nutritional Products		14
Worldwide Total		93

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Abbott’s research and development facilities in the United States are primarily located in California, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Ohio. Abbott also has research and development facilities in various other countries, including China, Colombia, India, Singapore, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

There are no material encumbrances on the properties.

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Abbott is involved in various claims, legal proceedings and investigations. 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 resolution should not have a material adverse effect on Abbott’s financial position, cash flows, or results of operations.

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Not applicable.

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INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Executive officers of Abbott are elected annually by the board of directors. Each executive 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 executive officer may be removed by the board of directors when, in its judgment, removal would serve the best interests of Abbott.

Abbott’s executive officers, their ages as of February 19, 2021, and the dates of their first election as officers of Abbott are listed below. The executive officers’ principal occupations and employment for the past five years and the year of appointment to the earliest reported office are also shown. Unless otherwise stated, employment was by Abbott. There are no family relationships between any executive officers or directors.

Miles D. White, 65

2020 to present — Executive Chairman and Director.

1999 to 2020 — Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and Director.

Elected Corporate Officer — 1993.

Robert B. Ford, 47

2020 to present — President and Chief Executive Officer, and Director.

2018 to 2020 — President and Chief Operating Officer, and Director since 2019.

2015 to 2018 — Executive Vice President, Medical Devices.

Elected Corporate Officer — 2008.

Hubert L. Allen, 55

2013 to present — Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary.

Elected Corporate Officer — 2012.

John M. Capek, 59

2015 to present — Executive Vice President, Ventures.

Elected Corporate Officer — 2006.

Lisa D. Earnhardt, 51

2019 to present — Executive Vice President, Medical Devices.

2008 to 2019 — President, CEO, and Director, Intersect ENT (a medical technology company focused on developing treatments for ear, nose and throat conditions).

Elected Corporate Officer — 2019.

Robert E. Funck, Jr., 59

2020 to present — Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer.

2018 to 2020 — Senior Vice President, Finance and Controller.

2013 to 2018 — Vice President, Controller.

Elected Corporate Officer — 2005.

John F. Ginascol, 62

2019 to present — Executive Vice President, Core Diagnostics.

2008 to 2019 — Vice President, Nutrition, Supply Chain.

Elected Corporate Officer — 2008.

Andrew H. Lane, 50

2017 to present — Executive Vice President, Established Pharmaceuticals.

2015 to 2017 — Senior Vice President, Established Pharmaceuticals, Emerging Markets.

Elected Corporate Officer — 2015.

Mary K. Moreland, 54

2019 to present — Executive Vice President, Human Resources.

2013 to 2019 — Divisional Vice President, Compensation, Benefits and HR M&A.

Elected Corporate Officer — 2019.

Daniel Salvadori, 42

2017 to present — Executive Vice President, Nutritional Products.

2014 to 2017 — Senior Vice President, Established Pharmaceuticals, Latin America.

Elected Corporate Officer — 2014.

Andrea Wainer, 52

2019 to present — Executive Vice President, Rapid and Molecular Diagnostics.

2015 to 2019 — Vice President, Molecular Diagnostics.

Elected Corporate Officer — 2015.

Gregory A. Ahlberg, 54

2020 to present — Senior Vice President, Core Laboratory Diagnostics, Commercial Operations.

2017 to 2020 —Vice President, Diagnostics, Commercial Operations, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

2012 to 2017 — Divisional Vice President, USA, Abbott Diagnostics Division.

Elected Corporate Officer — 2017.

Roger M. Bird, 64

2015 to present — Senior Vice President, U.S. Nutrition.

Elected Corporate Officer — 2015.

Charles R. Brynelsen, 64

2017 to present — Senior Vice President, Abbott Vascular.

2016 to 2017 — Managing Director, CB Business Advisors, Inc. (a medical device consulting firm).

2015 to 2016 — Senior Vice President and President, Medtronic Early Technologies, Medtronic plc (a global medical device company).

Elected Corporate Officer — 2017.

Michael D. Dale, 61

2019 to present — Senior Vice President, Structural Heart.

2017 to 2019 — Vice President, Structural Heart.

2016 to 2017 — Divisional Vice President and General Manager, Structural Heart.

2014 to 2016 — President and Chief Executive Officer, GI Dynamics, Inc. (a medical device company focused on developing gastrointestinal therapies).

Elected Corporate Officer — 2017.

Sammy Karam, 59

2019 to present — Senior Vice President, Established Pharmaceuticals, Emerging Markets.

2014 to 2019 — Divisional Vice President, Global Marketing Commercial Execution, Established Pharmaceuticals.

Elected Corporate Officer — 2019.

Joseph Manning, 52

2017 to present — Senior Vice President, International Nutrition.

2015 to 2017 — Vice President, Nutrition, Asia Pacific.

Elected Corporate Officer — 2015.

Michael J. Pederson, 59

2019 to present — Senior Vice President, Electrophysiology and Heart Failure.

2017 to 2019 — Senior Vice President, Cardiac Arrhythmias and Heart Failure.

2015 to 2017 — Divisional Vice President and General Manager, Abbott Electrophysiology.

Elected Corporate Officer — 2017.

Christopher J. Scoggins, 51

2019 to present — Senior Vice President, Rapid Diagnostics.

2015 to 2019 — Vice President, Diabetes Care, Commercial Operations.

Elected Corporate Officer — 2015.

Jared L. Watkin, 53

2015 to present — Senior Vice President, Diabetes Care.

Elected Corporate Officer — 2015.

Alejandro D. Wellisch, 46

2017 to present — Senior Vice President, Established Pharmaceuticals, Latin America.

2014 to 2017 — General Manager, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay, Established Pharmaceuticals.

Elected Corporate Officer — 2017.

Randel W. Woodgrift, 59

2019 to present — Senior Vice President, CRM.

2017 to 2019 — Vice President, Global Operations, Cardiovascular and Neuromodulation.

2015 to 2017 — Vice President, Operations and R&D, Abbott Vascular.

Elected Corporate Officer — 2015.

Philip P. Boudreau, 48

2020 to present — Vice President, Finance and Controller.

2017 to 2020 — Divisional Vice President, Controller, Medical Devices.

2012 to 2017 — Divisional Vice President, Controller and Commercial Support, Point of Care.

Elected Corporate Officer — 2020.

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PART II

Principal Market

The principal market for Abbott’s common shares is the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ABT.” Shares are also listed on the Chicago Stock Exchange and traded on various regional and electronic exchanges. Outside the United States, Abbott’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.

Shareholders

There were 37,450 shareholders of record of Abbott common shares as of December 31, 2020.

Tax Information for Shareholders

In 2001, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) designated Abbott as an Illinois High Impact Business (HIB) for a period not to exceed twenty years. In 2020, the DCEO granted a two year extension for Abbott's HIB designation. Dividends paid by a corporation that is designated as a HIB and conducts business in a foreign trade zone may be eligible for a subtraction from base income for Illinois income tax purposes. Abbott certified that the HIB requirements were met for the calendar year ending December 31, 2020.

If you have any questions, please contact your tax advisor.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

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​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​		​		​	​		(c) Total Number of		(d) Maximum Number (or
​	​	(a) Total Number	​	​	​	​	Shares (or Units)	​	Approximate Dollar Value) of
​	​	of Shares	​	(b) Average Price		​	Purchased as Part of	​	Shares (or Units) that May
​	​	(or Units)	​	Paid per Share		​	Publicly Announced	​	Yet Be Purchased Under the
Period	​	Purchased	​	(or Unit)		​	Plans or Programs	​	Plans or Programs
October 1, 2020 — October 31, 2020		0	(1)	$	0		0	​	$	3,270,234,923	(2)
November 1, 2020 — November 30, 2020		0	(1)	$	0		0	​	$	3,270,234,923	(2)
December 1, 2020 — December 31, 2020		1,600,411	(1)	$	107.999		1,600,411	​	$	3,097,391,913	(2)
Total		1,600,411	(1)	$	107.999		1,600,411	​	$	3,097,391,913	(2)

(1)	These shares do not include the shares surrendered to Abbott to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted stock or restricted stock units.

(2)	On September 11, 2014, the board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $3 billion of its common shares, from time to time (the “2014 Plan”). On October 11, 2019, the board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $3 billion of Abbott common shares, from time to time (the “2019 Plan”). The 2019 Plan is in addition to the unused portion of the 2014 Plan.

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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 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 medical devices, diagnostic testing products, nutritional products and branded generic pharmaceuticals. Sales in international markets comprise approximately 62 percent of consolidated net sales.

In 2020, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic affected Abbott’s diversified health care businesses in various ways. As is further described below, some businesses have performed at the levels required to successfully meet new demands, others have faced challenges, and still others have been relatively less impacted by the pandemic.

Abbott’s Diagnostics business experienced the most significant change in sales from 2019 to 2020 as sales from new tests and other related products to detect COVID-19 more than outweighed the negative impact of COVID-19 on routine diagnostic testing volumes. Abbott mobilized its teams across multiple fronts to develop and launch the following new diagnostic tests for COVID-19 in 2020:

	●	In March, Abbott launched a molecular test using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods on its _m_2000™ RealTi_m_e lab-based platform to detect COVID-19 pursuant to an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in the U.S. and CE Mark.

	●	In March, Abbott also launched a molecular test to detect COVID-19 on its ID NOW™ rapid point-of-care platform in the U.S. pursuant to an EUA.

	●	In April, Abbott launched an IgG (Immunoglobulin G) lab-based serology blood test on its ARCHITECT® i1000SR and i2000SR® laboratory instruments for the detection of an antibody to determine if someone was previously infected with the virus. The serology test was granted an EUA in the U.S. and CE Mark in April.

	●	In May, Abbott launched a lab-based serology blood test on its Alinity® i system pursuant to an EUA in the U.S. and CE Mark.

	●	In May, Abbott also launched a molecular PCR test on its Alinity m system to detect COVID-19 pursuant to an EUA in the U.S. Abbott received CE Mark for this test in June.

	●	In June, Abbott launched a lateral flow COVID-19 rapid antibody test on its Panbio™ system in select countries pursuant to a CE Mark. This serology test detects an antibody to determine if someone was previously infected with the virus.

	●	In August, Abbott launched its AdviseDx SARS-CoV-2 IgM (Immunoglobulin M) lab-based serology test for use on its ARCHITECT and Alinity platforms pursuant to a CE Mark. Abbott was granted an EUA in the U.S. for this test in October.

	●	In August, Abbott launched its BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Card test, a portable, lateral flow rapid test to detect COVID-19 pursuant to an EUA in the U.S.

	●	In September, Abbott launched its Panbio rapid antigen test to detect COVID-19 pursuant to a CE Mark. In October, Abbott received approval by the World Health Organization for emergency use listing for the Panbio antigen test.

	●	In December, Abbott received CE Mark and launched its SARS-CoV-2-IgG II quantitative lab-based serology blood test for use on its ARCHITECT and Alinity i platforms.

	●	In December, Abbott received an EUA in the U.S. for virtually guided at-home use of its BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card rapid test to detect COVID-19 and launched the product for at-home use.

	●	In December, Abbott launched its multiplex molecular test on its Alinity m system to detect COVID-19, flu A, flu B, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) pursuant to a CE Mark.

In 2020, Abbott’s COVID-19 testing related sales totaled approximately $3.884 billion, led by sales related to Abbott’s BinaxNOW, Panbio and ID NOW rapid testing platforms.

In addition to negatively impacting routine core diagnostic testing volumes, the pandemic negatively affected the number of cardiovascular and neuromodulation procedures performed by health care providers globally, thereby reducing the demand for Abbott’s cardiovascular and neuromodulation devices and routine diagnostic tests in 2020. The decrease began in February in China as that country implemented quarantine restrictions and postponed non-emergency health care activities. The negative impact on cardiovascular and neuromodulation procedures and routine diagnostic tests expanded to other countries and geographic regions as COVID-19 spread geographically in the first half of 2020 and health care systems in these countries shifted their focus to fighting COVID-19.

The extent of the impact and the timing of a recovery in the number of procedures and routine testing in a particular country or geographic region depended upon the progression of COVID-19 cases in the country or region. The recovery in procedures and routine testing volumes in China began in March. In other parts of the world, such as the U.S. and Europe, volumes improved across Abbott’s hospital-based businesses as the second quarter progressed and the improvement continued in the third quarter. However, in the fourth quarter, the improving trends in the demand for procedures and routine testing flattened or were negatively impacted depending upon the business and the region as many countries experienced an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

Abbott’s branded generic pharmaceuticals business was also negatively affected by the pandemic in 2020 as COVID-19 spread across emerging market countries in the second and third quarters of 2020. Abbott’s nutritional and diabetes care businesses were the least affected by the pandemic as is further discussed below.

Abbott is continually implementing business continuity plans in the face of the pandemic. Due to the critical nature of its products and services, Abbott was generally exempt from governmental orders issued during the first quarter of 2020 in the U.S. and other countries requiring businesses to cease operations. The majority of its office-based work was conducted remotely during the period of such governmental orders and the company implemented strict travel restrictions. As some governmental orders were lifted in May and June 2020, Abbott entered a new phase in its operations whereby some office-based employees started working at Abbott’s offices on a rotational basis. As various governmental orders and guidelines were modified in the fourth quarter to put in place new restrictions, Abbott continued to ensure that its guidance was aligned with such restrictions. Abbott has taken aggressive steps to limit exposure and enhance the safety of facilities for its employees.

Due to the unpredictability of the duration and impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will have a material effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations is uncertain.

While Abbott’s 2020 sales were most significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the increase in total sales over the last three years also reflects volume growth due to the introduction of new products across various businesses as well as higher sales of various existing products. Sales in emerging markets, which represent approximately 37 percent of total company sales, increased 2.0 percent in 2020 and 8.2 percent in 2019, excluding the impact of foreign exchange. (Emerging markets include all countries except the United States, Western Europe

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Financial Instruments and Risk Management

Market Price Sensitive Investments

The fair value of equity securities held by Abbott with a readily determinable fair value was approximately $20 million and $11 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These equity securities are subject to potential changes in fair value. A hypothetical 20 percent decrease in the share prices of these investments would decrease their fair value at December 31, 2020 by approximately $4 million. Changes in the fair value of these securities are recorded in earnings. The fair value of investments in mutual funds that are held in a rabbi trust for the purpose of paying benefits under a deferred compensation plan was approximately $366 million and $346 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Changes in the fair value of these investments, as well as an offsetting change in the benefit obligation, are recorded in earnings.

Non-Publicly Traded Equity Securities

Abbott holds equity securities that are not traded on public stock exchanges. The carrying value of these investments was $113 million and $158 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. No individual investment is recorded at a value in excess of $15 million. Abbott measures these investments at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer.

Interest Rate Sensitive Financial Instruments

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, Abbott had interest rate hedge contracts totaling $2.9 billion to manage its exposure to changes in the fair value of debt. The effect of these hedges is to change the fixed interest rate to a variable rate for the portion of the debt that is hedged. 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, 2020 and 2019 amounted to $22.8 billion and $20.8 billion, respectively (average interest rates of 3.3% as of December 31, 2020 and 2019) with maturities through 2046. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the fair value of current and long-term investment securities amounted to approximately $1.1 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively. A hypothetical 100-basis point change in the interest rates would not have a material effect on cash flows, income or fair values.

Foreign Currency Sensitive Financial Instruments

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 designated as cash flow hedges of the variability of the cash flows due to changes in foreign currency 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 to eighteen months. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, Abbott held $8.1 billion and $6.8 billion, respectively, of such contracts. Contracts held at December 31, 2020 will mature in 2021 or 2022 depending upon the contract. Contracts held at December 31, 2019 matured in 2020 or will mature in 2021 depending upon the contract.

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, 2020 and 2019, Abbott held $11.0 billion and $9.1 billion, respectively, of such contracts, which mature in the next 13 months.

In November 2019, Abbott borrowed ¥59.8 billion under a 5-year term loan and designated the yen-denominated loan as a hedge of the net investment in certain foreign subsidiaries. The proceeds equated to approximately $550 million. The value of this long-term debt was approximately $577 million and $546 million as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The change in the value of the debt, which is due to changes in foreign exchange rates, was recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax.

The following table reflects the total foreign currency forward exchange contracts outstanding at December 31, 2020 and 2019:

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	2020							​	2019
​		​	​		Weighted		Fair and			​	​		Weighted		Fair and
​	​	​	​	​	Average	​	Carrying Value		​	​	​	​	Average	​	Carrying Value
​	​	Contract		​	Exchange	​	Receivable/		​	Contract		​	Exchange	​	Receivable/
(dollars in millions)	​	Amount		​	Rate	​	(Payable)		​	Amount		​	Rate	​	(Payable)
Primarily U.S. Dollars to be exchanged for the following currencies:		​					​			​					​
Euro	​	$	7,781		1.1821	​	$	(91)	​	$	7,085		1.1189	​	$	65
Chinese Yuan	​		2,401		6.4900	​		(99)	​		2,177		7.0216	​		4
Japanese Yen	​		1,589		105.3861	​		(20)	​		1,092		106.8530	​		13
All other currencies	​		7,369		n/a	​		(198)	​		5,532		n/a	​		(23)
Total	​	$	19,140		​	​	$	(408)	​	$	15,886			​	$	59

​

​

​

​
​		Page
Consolidated Statement of Earnings	​	43
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income	​	44
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows	​	45
Consolidated Balance Sheet	​	46
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Investment	​	48
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	​	49
Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting	​	81
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	​	82
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	​	84

​

​

​

Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Earnings

(in millions except per share data)

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Year Ended December 31
​		2020			2019			2018
Net Sales	​	$	34,608	​	$	31,904	​	$	30,578
Cost of products sold, excluding amortization of intangible assets	​		15,003	​		13,231	​		12,706
Amortization of intangible assets	​		2,132	​		1,936	​		2,178
Research and development	​		2,420	​		2,440	​		2,300
Selling, general and administrative	​		9,696	​		9,765	​		9,744
Total Operating Cost and Expenses	​		29,251	​		27,372	​		26,928
Operating Earnings	​		5,357	​		4,532	​		3,650
Interest expense	​		546	​		670	​		826
Interest income	​		(46)	​		(94)	​		(105)
Net foreign exchange (gain) loss	​		(8)	​		7	​		28
Debt extinguishment costs	​	​	—	​	​	63	​	​	167
Other (income) expense, net	​		(103)	​		(191)	​		(139)
Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Taxes	​		4,968	​		4,077	​		2,873
Taxes on Earnings from Continuing Operations	​		497	​		390	​		539
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Earnings from Continuing Operations	​		4,471	​		3,687	​		2,334
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Net Earnings from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes	​	​	24	​	​	—	​	​	34
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Net Earnings	​	$	4,495	​	$	3,687	​	$	2,368
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Basic Earnings Per Common Share --	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Continuing Operations	​	$	2.51	​	$	2.07	​	$	1.32
Discontinued Operations	​		0.01	​		—	​		0.02
Net Earnings	​	$	2.52	​	$	2.07	​	$	1.34
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share --	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Continuing Operations	​	$	2.49	​	$	2.06	​	$	1.31
Discontinued Operations	​		0.01	​		—	​		0.02
Net Earnings	​	$	2.50	​	$	2.06	​	$	1.33
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding Used for Basic Earnings Per Common Share	​		1,773	​		1,768	​		1,758
Dilutive Common Stock Options	​		13	​		13	​		12
Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding Plus Dilutive Common Stock Options	​		1,786	​		1,781	​		1,770
Outstanding Common Stock Options Having No Dilutive Effect	​	​	9	​		61	​		—

​

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

​

Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

(in millions)

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Year Ended December 31
​		2020			2019			2018
Net Earnings	​	$	4,495	​	$	3,687	​	$	2,368
Foreign currency translation gain (loss) adjustments	​		65	​		(12)	​		(1,460)
Net actuarial gains (losses) and prior service cost and credits and amortization of net actuarial losses and prior service cost and credits, net of taxes of $(79) in 2020, $(238) in 2019 and $47 in 2018	​		(331)	​		(814)	​		132
Net (losses) gains on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, net of taxes of $(87) in 2020, $(17) in 2019 and $50 in 2018	​		(215)	​		(53)	​		136
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	​		(481)	​		(879)	​		(1,192)
Comprehensive Income	​	$	4,014	​	$	2,808	​	$	1,176
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Supplemental Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Information, net of tax as of December 31:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Cumulative foreign currency translation (loss) adjustments	​	$	(4,859)	​	$	(4,924)	​	$	(4,912)
Net actuarial (losses) and prior service (cost) and credits	​		(3,871)	​		(3,540)	​		(2,726)
Cumulative (losses) gains on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges	​		(216)	​		(1)	​		52
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	​	$	(8,946)	​	$	(8,465)	​	$	(7,586)

​

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

​

Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(in millions)

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Year Ended December 31
​		2020			2019			2018
Cash Flow From (Used in) Operating Activities:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Net earnings	​	$	4,495	​	$	3,687	​	$	2,368
Adjustments to reconcile earnings to net cash from operating activities -	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Depreciation	​		1,195	​		1,078	​		1,100
Amortization of intangible assets	​		2,132	​		1,936	​		2,178
Share-based compensation	​		546	​		519	​		477
Amortization of inventory step-up	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	32
Investing and financing losses, net	​	​	425	​	​	184	​	​	126
Loss on extinguishment of debt	​	​	—	​	​	63	​	​	167
Trade receivables	​		(924)	​		(275)	​		(190)
Inventories	​		(493)	​		(593)	​		(514)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	​		(627)	​		(138)	​		23
Trade accounts payable and other liabilities	​		1,766	​		220	​		747
Income taxes	​		(614)	​		(545)	​		(214)
Net Cash From Operating Activities	​	​	7,901	​	​	6,136	​	​	6,300
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Cash Flow From (Used in) Investing Activities:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Acquisitions of property and equipment	​		(2,177)	​		(1,638)	​		(1,394)
Acquisitions of businesses and technologies, net of cash acquired	​		(42)	​		(170)	​		(54)
Proceeds from business dispositions	​	​	58	​	​	48	​	​	48
Purchases of investment securities	​		(83)	​		(103)	​		(131)
Proceeds from sales of investment securities	​		10	​		21	​		73
Other	​		19	​		27	​		102
Net Cash From (Used in) Investing Activities	​		(2,215)	​		(1,815)	​		(1,356)
​	​	​

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None.

​

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. The Chief Executive Officer, Robert B. Ford, and the Chief Financial Officer, Robert E. Funck, Jr., evaluated the effectiveness of Abbott Laboratories’ disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report, and concluded that Abbott Laboratories’ disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information Abbott is required to disclose in the reports that it files or submits with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, and to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Abbott in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to Abbott’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report on Abbott’s internal control over financial reporting is included on page 81 hereof. The report of Abbott’s independent registered public accounting firm related to their assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting is included on page 84 hereof.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting. During the quarter ended December 31, 2020, there were no changes in Abbott’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Abbott’s internal control over financial reporting.

​

None.

​

​

​

PART III

Incorporated herein by reference are “Nominees for Election as Directors,” “Committees of the Board of Directors,” and “Procedure for Recommendation and Nomination of Directors and Transaction of Business at Annual Meeting” to be included in the 2021 Abbott Laboratories Proxy Statement. The 2021 Definitive Proxy Statement will be filed on or about March 12, 2021. Also incorporated herein by reference is the text found under the caption, “Information About Our Executive Officers” on pages 16 through 19 hereof.

Abbott has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer and controller. That code is part of Abbott’s code of business conduct which is available free of charge through Abbott’s investor relations website (www.abbottinvestor.com). Abbott intends to include on its website any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of its code of ethics that applies to Abbott’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer and controller that relates to any element of the code of ethics definition enumerated in Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K.

​

The material to be included in the 2021 Proxy Statement under the headings “2020 Director Compensation” and “Executive Compensation” is incorporated herein by reference. The 2021 Definitive Proxy Statement will be filed on or about March 12, 2021.

​

(a) Equity Compensation Plan Information.

The following table presents information as of December 31, 2020 about our compensation plans under which Abbott common shares have been authorized for issuance.

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​		​		​	​		(c)
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	Number of
​	​	(a)	​	​	​	​	securities remaining
​	​	Number of	​	​	​	​	available for
​	​	securities to be	​	​	(b)	​	future issuance
​	​	issued upon	​	Weighted average		​	under equity
​	​	exercise of	​	exercise price		​	compensation
​	​	outstanding	​	of outstanding		​	plans (excluding
​	​	options, warrants	​	options, warrants			securities reflected
Plan Category	​	and rights	​	and rights			in column (a))
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)		28,034,365	​	$	56.45		124,762,755
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders		0	​		—		0
Total (1)(2)		28,034,365	​	$	56.45		124,762,755

(1)	(i)	Abbott Laboratories 2009 Incentive Stock Program. Benefits under the Abbott Laboratories 2009 Incentive Stock Program (the “2009 Program”) include non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards, other share-based awards (including stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalents and recognition awards), awards to non-employee directors, and foreign benefits. The shares that remain available for issuance under the 2009 Program may be issued in connection with any one of these benefits and may be either authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares (except that restricted stock awards are satisfied from treasury shares).
​	​	​

​

​	​	If there is a lapse, expiration, termination, forfeiture or cancellation of any benefit granted under the 2009 Program without the issuance of shares or payment of cash thereunder, the shares subject to or reserved for that benefit, or so reacquired, may again be used for new stock options, rights, or awards of any type authorized under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program (the “2017 Program”). If shares are issued under any benefit under the 2009 Program and thereafter are reacquired by Abbott pursuant to rights reserved upon their issuance, or pursuant to the payment of the purchase price of shares under stock options by delivery of other common shares of Abbott, the shares subject to or reserved for that benefit, or so reacquired, may not again be used for new stock options, rights, or awards of any type authorized under the 2009 Program.
​	​	​
​	​	In April 2017, the 2009 Program was replaced by the 2017 Program. No further awards will be granted under the 2009 Program.
​	​	​
​	(ii)	Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program. Benefits under the 2017 Program include non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards, other share-based awards (including stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalents and recognition awards), awards to non-employee directors, and foreign benefits. The shares that remain available for issuance under the 2017 Program may be issued in connection with any one of these benefits and may be either authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares (except that restricted stock awards are satisfied from treasury shares).
​	​	​
​	​	If there is a lapse, expiration, termination, forfeiture or cancellation of any benefit granted under the 2017 Program without the issuance of shares or payment of cash thereunder, the shares subject to or reserved for that benefit, or so reacquired, may again be used for new stock options, rights, or awards of any type authorized under the 2017 Program. If shares are issued under any benefit under the 2017 Program and thereafter are reacquired by Abbott pursuant to rights reserved upon their issuance, or pursuant to the payment of the purchase price of shares under stock options by delivery of other common shares of Abbott, the shares subject to or reserved for that benefit, or so reacquired, may not again be used for new stock options, rights, or awards of any type authorized under the 2017 Program.
​	​	​
​	(iii)	Abbott Laboratories Employee Stock Purchase Plan for Non-U.S. Employees. Eligible employees of participating non-U.S. affiliates of Abbott may participate in this plan. An eligible employee may authorize payroll deductions at the rate of 1% to 10% of eligible compensation (in multiples of one percent) subject to a limit of US $12,500 during any purchase cycle.
​	​	​
​	​	Purchase cycles are generally six months long and usually begin on August 1 and February 1. On the last day of each purchase cycle, Abbott uses participant contributions to acquire Abbott common shares. The shares may be either authorized but unissued shares, treasury shares, or shares acquired on the open market. The purchase price is typically 85% of the lower of the fair market value of the shares on the purchase date or on the first day of that purchase cycle. As the number of shares subject to outstanding options is indeterminable, columns (a) and (b) of the above table do not include information on the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. As of December 31, 2020, an aggregate of 11,611,818 common shares were available for future issuance under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, including shares subject to purchase during the current purchase cycle.
​	​	​
​	​	In April 2017, the 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan for Non-U.S. Employees was amended and restated as the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan for Non-U.S. Employees.
​	​	​
(2)	​	Not included in the table: St. Jude Medical, Inc. Plans. In 2017, in connection with the acquisition of St. Jude Medical, Inc., options outstanding under the St. Jude Medical, Inc. 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated (2014) were assumed by Abbott and converted into Abbott options of substantially equivalent value. As of December 31, 2020, 885,521 options remained outstanding under these plans. These options have a weighted average purchase price of $30.46. No further awards will be granted under these plans.

​

​

For additional information concerning the Abbott Laboratories 2009 Incentive Stock Program, the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, and the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan for Non-U.S. Employees, see the discussion in Note 9 entitled “Incentive Stock Program” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

(b) Information Concerning Security Ownership. Incorporated herein by reference is the material under the heading “Security Ownership of Executive Officers and Directors” and “Information Concerning Security Ownership” in the 2021 Proxy Statement. The 2021 Definitive Proxy Statement will be filed on or about March 12, 2021.

​

The material to be included in the 2021 Proxy Statement under the headings “The Board of Directors,” “Committees of the Board of Directors,” and “Approval Process for Related Person Transactions” is incorporated herein by reference. The 2021 Definitive Proxy Statement will be filed on or about March 12, 2021.

​

The material to be included in the 2021 Proxy Statement under the headings “Audit Fees and Non-Audit Fees” and “Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of the Independent Auditor” is incorporated herein by reference. The 2021 Definitive Proxy Statement will be filed on or about March 12, 2021.

​

​

PART IV

(a) Documents filed as part of this Form 10-K.

(1) Financial Statements: See Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” on page 42 hereof, for a list of financial statements.

(2) Financial Statement Schedules: The required financial statement schedules are found on the pages indicated below. These schedules should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of Abbott Laboratories:

​

Abbott Laboratories Financial Statement Schedules		Page No.
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Schedule II)	​	101
Schedules I, III, IV, and V are not submitted because they are not applicable or not required	​	​
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	​	102
Individual Financial Statements of businesses acquired by the registrant have been omitted pursuant to Rule 3.05 of Regulation S-X	​	​

​

(3) Exhibits Required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K: The information called for by this paragraph is set forth in Item 15(b) below.

(b) Exhibits filed.

​

		​
10-K Exhibit Table Item No.		​
​	​	​	​
3.1	*	Articles of Incorporation, Abbott Laboratories, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Abbott Laboratories Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998.	​
​	​	​	​
3.2	*	By-Laws of Abbott Laboratories, as amended and restated effective April 24, 2020, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 21, 2020.	​
​	​	​	​
4.1	*	Indenture dated as of February 9, 2001, between Abbott Laboratories and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association, successor to Bank One Trust Company, N.A.) (including form of Security), filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Abbott Laboratories Registration Statement on Form S-3 dated February 12, 2001.	​
​	​	​	​
4.2	*	Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 27, 2006, between Abbott Laboratories and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association), filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Registration Statement on Form S-3 dated February 28, 2006.	​
​	​	​	​
4.3	*	Form of $1,000,000,000 6.150% Note due 2037, filed as Exhibit 99.6 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 6, 2007.	​
​	​	​	​
4.4	*	Actions of the Authorized Officers with respect to Abbott’s 5.150% Notes due 2012, 5.600% Notes due 2017 and 6.150% Notes due 2037, filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 6, 2007.	​
​	​	​	​
4.5	*	Form of $1,000,000,000 6.000% Note due 2039, filed as Exhibit 99.5 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 26, 2009.	​
​	​	​	​
4.6	*	Actions of the Authorized Officers with respect to Abbott’s 5.125% Note due 2019 and 6.000% Note due 2039, filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 26, 2009.	​

​

		​
10-K Exhibit Table Item No.		​
​	​	​	​
4.7	*	Form of 2040 Note, filed as Exhibit 99.6 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 27, 2010.	​
​	​	​	​
4.8	*	Actions of the Authorized Officers with respect to Abbott’s 2.70% Notes, 4.125% Notes and 5.30% Notes, filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 27, 2010.	​
​	​	​	​
4.9	*	Indenture, dated as of March 10, 2015, between Abbott Laboratories and U.S. Bank National Association (including form of Security), filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 5, 2015.	​
​	​	​	​
4.10	*	Form of 2.550% Note due 2022, filed as Exhibit 99.5 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 5, 2015.	​
​	​	​	​
4.11	*	Form of 2.950% Note due 2025, filed as Exhibit 99.6 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 5, 2015.	​
​	​	​	​
4.12	*	Actions of the Authorized Officers with respect to Abbott’s 2.000% Notes, 2.550% Notes and 2.950% Notes, filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 5, 2015.	​
​	​	​	​
4.13	*	Form of 3.400% Notes due 2023, filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 22, 2016.	​
​	​	​	​
4.14	*	Form of 3.750% Notes due 2026, filed as Exhibit 4.5 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 22, 2016.	​
​	​	​	​
4.15	*	Form of 4.750% Notes due 2036, filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 22, 2016.	​
​	​	​	​
4.16	*	Form of 4.900% Notes due 2046, filed as Exhibit 4.7 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 22, 2016.	​
​	​	​	​
4.17	*	Officers’ Certificate Pursuant to Sections 3.1 and 3.3 of the Indenture with respect to 2.350% Notes due 2019, 2.900% Notes due 2021, 3.400% Notes due 2023, 3.750% Notes due 2026, 4.750% Notes due 2036 and 4.900% Notes due 2046 (including forms of notes), filed as Exhibit 4.22 to the Abbott Laboratories 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.	​
​	​	​	​
4.18	*	Form of 3.875% Notes due 2025, filed as Exhibit 4.5 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 22, 2017.	​
​	​	​	​
4.19	*	Form of 4.75% Notes due 2043, filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 22, 2017.	​
​	​	​	​
4.20	*	Officers’ Certificate Pursuant to Sections 3.1 and 3.3 of the Indenture with respect to 2.000% Notes due 2018, 2.800% Notes due 2020, 3.25% Notes due 2023, 3.875% Notes due 2025, and 4.75% Notes due 2043 (including form of notes), filed as Exhibit 4.7 to the Abbott Laboratories Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2017.	​
​	​	​	​

​

		​
10-K Exhibit Table Item No.		​
4.21	†	Indenture, dated as of July 28, 2009, between St. Jude Medical, LLC (successor to St. Jude Medical, Inc.) and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the St. Jude Medical, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 28, 2009.	​
​	​	​	​
4.22	†	Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 2, 2013, between St. Jude Medical, LLC (successor to St. Jude Medical, Inc.) and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, relating to St. Jude Medical, LLC’s 3.25% Senior Notes due 2023 and 4.75% Senior Notes due 2043 (including forms of notes), filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the St. Jude Medical, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 2, 2013.	​
​	​	​	​
4.23	†	Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 23, 2015, between St. Jude Medical, LLC (successor to St. Jude Medical, Inc.) and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, relating to St. Jude Medical, LLC’s 2.000% Senior Notes due 2018, 2.800% Senior Notes due 2020 and 3.875% Senior Notes due 2025, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the St. Jude Medical, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 23, 2015.	​
​	​	​	​
4.24	†	Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 4, 2017, among St. Jude Medical, Inc., St. Jude Medical, LLC and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the St. Jude Medical, LLC Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 4, 2017.	​
​	​	​	​
4.25	*	Form of Seventh Supplemental Indenture between St. Jude Medical, LLC and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Abbott Laboratories Registration Statement on Form S-4 dated February 21, 2017.	​
​	​	​	​
4.26	*	Indenture dated September 27, 2018, among Abbott Ireland Financing DAC, as issuer, Abbott Laboratories, as guarantor and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 27, 2018.	​
​	​	​	​
4.27	*	First Supplemental Indenture dated September 27, 2018, among Abbott Ireland Financing DAC, as issuer, Abbott Laboratories, as guarantor, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, Elavon Financial Services DAC, U.K. Branch, as paying agent and transfer agent, and Elavon Financial Services DAC, as registrar, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 27, 2018.	​
​	​	​	​
4.28	*	Second Supplemental Indenture dated November 19, 2019, among Abbott Ireland Financing DAC, as issuer, Abbott Laboratories, as guarantor, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, and Elavon Financial Services DAC, as paying agent, transfer agent and registrar, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 19, 2019.	​
​	​	​	​
4.29	*	Form of 0.875% Note due 2023 (included in Exhibit 4.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 27, 2018).	​
​	​	​	​
4.30	*	Form of 1.500% Note due 2026 (included in Exhibit 4.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 27, 2018).	​
​	​	​	​
4.31	*	Form of 0.100% Note due 2024 (included in Exhibit 4.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 19, 2019).	​
​	​	​	​
4.32	*	Form of 0.375% Note due 2027 (included in Exhibit 4.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 19, 2019).	​

​

		​
10-K Exhibit Table Item No.		​
​	​	​	​
4.33	*	Officers’ Certificate Pursuant to Sections 3.1 and 3.3 of the Indenture with respect to 1.150% Notes due 2028 and 1.400% Notes due 2030, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 22, 2020.	​
​	​	​	​
4.34	*	Form of 1.150% Notes due 2028, filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 24, 2020 (included in Exhibit 4.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 22, 2020).	​
​	​	​	​
4.35	*	Form of 1.400% Notes due 2030, filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 24, 2020 (included in Exhibit 4.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 22, 2020).	​
​	​	​	​
​	​	Other debt instruments are omitted in accordance with Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K. Copies of such agreements will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.	​
​	​	​	​
4.36	*	Description of Registrant's Securities, filed as Exhibit 4.34 to the 2019 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K).	​
​	​	​	​
10.1	*	Supplemental Plan Abbott Laboratories Extended Disability Plan, filed as an exhibit (pages 50-51) to the 1992 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.2	​	Abbott Laboratories Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.3	*	Abbott Laboratories 401(k) Supplemental Plan, as amended and restated, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the 2012 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.4	*	Abbott Laboratories Supplemental Pension Plan, as amended and restated, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the 2014 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.5	*	1986 Abbott Laboratories Management Incentive Plan, as amended and restated, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the 2014 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.6	*	1998 Abbott Laboratories Performance Incentive Plan, as amended, filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the 2014 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.7	*	Rules for the 1998 Abbott Laboratories Performance Incentive Plan, as amended and restated, filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the 2012 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.8	*	Abbott Laboratories 2009 Incentive Stock Program, as amended and restated, filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the 2014 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.9	*	Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program (incorporated by reference to Exhibit B of Abbott’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2017).**	​
​	​	​	​
10.10	*	Abbott Laboratories Non-Employee Directors’ Fee Plan, as amended and restated, filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the 2016 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**	​

​

		​
10-K Exhibit Table Item No.		​
​	​	​	​
10.11	*	Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 10, 2004.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.12	*	Form of Non-Employee Director Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 24, 2009.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.13	*	Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 24, 2009.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.14	*	Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (ratably vested), filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 24, 2009.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.15	*	Form of Performance Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for foreign executive officers (annual performance based), filed as Exhibit 10.40 to the 2013 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.16	*	Form of Performance Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for foreign executive officers (interim performance based), filed as Exhibit 10.42 to the 2013 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.17	*	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for executive officers (cliff vested), filed as Exhibit 10.44 to the 2013 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.18	*	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for foreign executive officers (cliff vested), filed as Exhibit 10.46 to the 2013 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.19	*	Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.47 to the 2013 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.20	*	Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for foreign non-employee directors, filed as Exhibit 10.48 to the 2013 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.21	*	Form of Performance Restricted Stock Agreement for executive officers (annual performance based), filed as Exhibit 10.53 to the 2013 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.22	*	Form of Performance Restricted Stock Agreement for executive officers (interim performance based), filed as Exhibit 10.55 to the 2013 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.23	*	Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for executive officers (cliff vested), filed as Exhibit 10.57 to the 2013 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.24	*	Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.58 to the 2013 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.25	*	Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for executive officers, filed as Exhibit 10.59 to the 2013 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.26	*	Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for foreign employees, filed as Exhibit 10.60 to the 2013 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**	​

​

		​
10-K Exhibit Table Item No.		​
​	​	​	​
10.27	*	Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for foreign executive officers, filed as Exhibit 10.61 to the 2013 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.28	*	Form of Non-Employee Director Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.64 to the 2013 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.29	*	Form of Non-Employee Director Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for foreign non-employee directors, filed as Exhibit 10.65 to the 2013 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.30	*	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (ratably vested) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.31	*	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for foreign employees (ratably vested) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.32	*	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (cliff vested) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.33	*	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for foreign employees (cliff vested) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.34	*	Form of Performance Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for foreign employees (annual performance based) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.35	*	Form of Performance Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for foreign employees (interim performance based) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.36	*	Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (ratably vested) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.37	*	Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (cliff vested) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.38	*	Form of Performance Restricted Stock Agreement (annual performance based) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.39	*	Form of Performance Restricted Stock Agreement (interim performance based) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.11 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.40	*	Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.12 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​

​

		​
10-K Exhibit Table Item No.		​
​	​	​	​
10.41	*	Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for foreign employees under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.13 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.42	*	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for executive officers (cliff vested) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.14 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.43	*	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for foreign executive officers (cliff vested) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.15 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.44	*	Form of Performance Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for foreign executive officers (annual performance based) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.16 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.45	*	Form of Performance Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for foreign executive officers (interim performance based) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.17 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.46	*	Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for executive officers (ratably vested) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.18 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.47	*	Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for executive officers (cliff vested) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.19 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.48	*	Form of Performance Restricted Stock Agreement for executive officers (annual performance based) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.20 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.49	*	Form of Performance Restricted Stock Agreement for executive officers (interim performance based) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.21 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.50	*	Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for executive officers under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.22 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.51	*	Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for foreign executive officers under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.23 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.52	*	Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.24 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​

​

		​
10-K Exhibit Table Item No.		​
​	​	​	​
10.53	*	Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for foreign non-employee directors under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.25 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.54	*	Form of Non-Employee Director Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.26 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.55	*	Form of Non-Employee Director Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for foreign non-employee directors under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.27 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 28, 2017.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.56	​	Form of Performance Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for foreign employees (annual performance based) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.57	​	Form of Performance Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for foreign employees (interim performance based) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.58	​	Form of Performance Restricted Stock Agreement (annual performance based) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.59	​	Form of Performance Restricted Stock Agreement (interim performance based) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.60	​	Form of Performance Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for foreign executive officers (annual performance based) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.61	​	Form of Performance Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for foreign executive officers (interim performance based) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.62	​	Form of Performance Restricted Stock Agreement for executive officers (annual performance based) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.63	​	Form of Performance Restricted Stock Agreement for executive officers (interim performance based) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.64	*	Form of Agreement Regarding Change in Control by and between Abbott Laboratories and its named executive officers (other than Mr. White), filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 30, 2012.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.65	*	Form of Extension of Agreement Regarding Change in Control by and between Abbott Laboratories and its named executive officers (other than Mr. White), extending the agreement term to December 31, 2020, filed as Exhibit 10.74 to the 2018 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.66	​	Form of Extension of Agreement Regarding Change in Control by and between Abbott Laboratories and its named executive officers (other than Mr. White), extending the agreement term to December 31, 2022.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.67	*	Form of Time Sharing Agreement between Abbott Laboratories Inc. and M.D. White, filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Abbott Laboratories Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006.**	​

​

		​
10-K Exhibit Table Item No.		​
​	​	​	​
10.68	​	Form of Time Sharing Agreement between Abbott Laboratories Inc. and Robert B. Ford.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.69	†	St. Jude Medical, Inc. 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (2014), filed as Exhibit 10.22 to St. Jude Medical, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 3, 2015 dated February 26, 2015.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.70	†	Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Global) and related Notice of Non-Qualified Stock Option Grant for stock options granted on or after December 10, 2012 under the St. Jude Medical, Inc. 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.24 to the St. Jude Medical, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2012 dated February 26, 2013.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.71	†	Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for Non-Employee Directors and related Notice of Non-Qualified Stock Option Grant for stock options granted on or after December 10, 2012 under the St. Jude Medical, Inc. 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.25 to the St. Jude Medical, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2012, dated February 26, 2013.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.72	†	Form of Restricted Stock Units Award Agreement (Global) and related Restricted Stock Units Award Certificate for restricted stock units granted on or after December 10, 2012 under the St. Jude Medical, Inc. 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.27 to the St. Jude Medical, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2012, dated February 26, 2013.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.73	*	Management Savings Plan, as amended and restated, filed as Exhibit 10.75 to the 2019 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K).**	​
​	​	​	​
10.74	​	Abbott Overseas Managers Pension Plan, as amended and restated.**	​
​	​	​	​
10.75	​	Five Year Credit Agreement, dated as of November 12, 2020, among Abbott Laboratories, as borrower, various financial institutions, as lenders, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.	​
​	​	​	​
21	​	Subsidiaries of Abbott Laboratories.	​
​	​	​	​
23.1	​	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.	​
​	​	​	​
31.1	​	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Required by Rule 13a-14(a) (17 CFR 240.13a-14(a)).	​
​	​	​	​
31.2	​	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Required by Rule 13a-14(a) (17 CFR 240.13a-14(a)).	​
​	​	​ Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 are furnished herewith and should not be deemed to be “filed” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.	​
​	​	​	​
32.1	​	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.	​
​	​	​	​
32.2	​	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.	​

​

		​
10-K Exhibit Table Item No.		​
​	​	​	​
101	​	The following financial statements and notes from the Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed on February 19, 2021, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Consolidated Statement of Earnings; (ii) Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income; (iii) Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows; (iv) Consolidated Balance Sheet; (v) Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Investment; and (vi) the notes to the consolidated financial statements.	​
​	​	​	​
104	​	Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded in the Inline XBRL document and included in Exhibit 101).	​

• Incorporated herein by reference. Commission file number 1-2189.

** Denotes management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit hereto.

† Incorporated herein by reference. Commission file number 1-12441.

Abbott will furnish copies of any of the above exhibits to a shareholder upon written request to the Secretary, Abbott Laboratories, 100 Abbott Park Road, Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6400.

(c) Financial Statement Schedule filed (page 101_)._

​

None.

​

​

​

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Abbott Laboratories has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

​

​	​	​
​	ABBOTT LABORATORIES
​	​	​
​	​	​
​	By	/s/ ROBERT B. FORD
​		Robert B. Ford President and Chief Executive Officer
​	​
​	Date:	February 19, 2021

​

​

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of Abbott Laboratories on February 19, 2021 in the capacities indicated below.

​

/s/ ROBERT B. FORD		/s/ ROBERT E. FUNCK, JR.
Robert B. Ford	​	Robert E. Funck, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer, and Director of Abbott Laboratories (principal executive officer)	​	Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)
​	​	​
​	​	​
/s/ PHILIP P. BOUDREAU	​	/s/ MILES D. WHITE
Philip P. Boudreau	​	Miles D. White
Vice President, Finance and Controller (principal accounting officer)	​	Executive Chairman of the Board
​	​	​
​	​	​
/s/ ROBERT J. ALPERN	​	/s/ ROXANNE S. AUSTIN
Robert J. Alpern, M.D.	​	Roxanne S. Austin
Director of Abbott Laboratories	​	Director of Abbott Laboratories
​	​	​
​	​	​
/s/ SALLY E. BLOUNT	​	/s/ MICHELLE A. KUMBIER
Sally E. Blount, Ph.D.	​	Michelle A. Kumbier
Director of Abbott Laboratories	​	Director of Abbott Laboratories
​	​	​
​	​	​
/s/ EDWARD M. LIDDY	​	/s/ DARREN W. MCDEW
Edward M. Liddy Director of Abbott Laboratories	​	Darren W. McDew Director of Abbott Laboratories
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/s/ NANCY MCKINSTRY	​	/s/ PHEBE N. NOVAKOVIC
Nancy McKinstry	​	Phebe N. Novakovic
Director of Abbott Laboratories	​	Director of Abbott Laboratories
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/s/ WILLIAM A. OSBORN	​	/s/ DANIEL J. STARKS
William A. Osborn	​	Daniel J. Starks
Director of Abbott Laboratories	​	Director of Abbott Laboratories
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/s/ JOHN G. STRATTON	​	/s/ GLENN F. TILTON
John G. Stratton	​	Glenn F. Tilton
Director of Abbott Laboratories	​	Director of Abbott Laboratories

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ABBOTT LABORATORIES AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020, 2019 AND 2018

(in millions of dollars)

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​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​		​	​		​	​		Amounts			​	​
​	​	Balance		​	Provisions/		​	Charged Off		​	​	​
Allowances for Doubtful	​	at Beginning		​	Charges		​	and Other		​	Balance at
Accounts and Product Returns	​	of Year		​	to Income		​	Deductions		​	End of Year
2020	​	$	384	​	$	187	​	$	(111)	​	$	460
2019	​	​	314	​	​	137	​	​	(68)	​	​	384
2018	​		294	​	​	110	​	​	(90)	​	​	314

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Abbott Laboratories

Opinion on the Financial Statement Schedule

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Abbott Laboratories and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and have issued our report thereon dated February 19, 2021 (included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K). Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included the financial statement schedule listed in Item 15(a)(2) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “schedule”). This schedule is the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s schedule, based on our audits.

In our opinion, the schedule presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when considered in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Chicago, Illinois

February 19, 2021

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