Abbott Laboratories (ABT)

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

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

Source: 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-16).

Abbott Laboratories, Statement of Financial Position, Property, Plant and Equipment

USD $ in millions

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-16), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-17), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-19), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2014-02-21).

Item	Description	The company
Property and equipment, at cost	Amount before accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.	Abbott Laboratories's property and equipment, at cost declined from 2015 to 2016 but then increased from 2016 to 2017 exceeding 2015 level.
Net property and equipment	Amount after accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.	Abbott Laboratories's net property and equipment declined from 2015 to 2016 but then increased from 2016 to 2017 exceeding 2015 level.

Abbott Laboratories, Property, Plant and Equipment Ratios

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-16), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-17), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-19), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2014-02-21).

Ratio	Description	The company
Average age	As long as straight-line depreciation is used, this is an accurate estimate of asset age as a percentage of depreciable life. The relative age is a useful measure of whether the company's fixed asset base is old or new. Newer assets are likely to be more efficient.	Abbott Laboratories's average age of depreciable property, plant and equipment deteriorated from 2015 to 2016 but then improved from 2016 to 2017 exceeding 2015 level.
Estimated total useful life	Over longer time periods, this ratio is a useful measure of company's depreciation policy and can be used for comparisons with competitors.	Abbott Laboratories's estimated total useful life of depreciable property, plant and equipment increased from 2015 to 2016 but then slightly declined from 2016 to 2017 not reaching 2015 level.
Estimated time elapsed since purchase	The approximate age in years of a company's fixed assets. Useful for comparison purposes.	Abbott Laboratories's estimated time elapsed since purchase of depreciable property, plant and equipment deteriorated from 2015 to 2016 but then improved from 2016 to 2017 exceeding 2015 level.
Estimated remaining life		Abbott Laboratories's estimated remaining life of depreciable property, plant and equipment increased from 2015 to 2016 and from 2016 to 2017.

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-16), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-17), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-19), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2014-02-21).

2017 Calculations

Ratio	Description	The company
Average age	As long as straight-line depreciation is used, this is an accurate estimate of asset age as a percentage of depreciable life. The relative age is a useful measure of whether the company's fixed asset base is old or new. Newer assets are likely to be more efficient.	Abbott Laboratories's average age of depreciable property, plant and equipment deteriorated from 2015 to 2016 but then improved from 2016 to 2017 exceeding 2015 level.

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-16), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-17), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-19), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2014-02-21).

2017 Calculations

Ratio	Description	The company
Estimated total useful life	Over longer time periods, this ratio is a useful measure of company's depreciation policy and can be used for comparisons with competitors.	Abbott Laboratories's estimated total useful life of depreciable property, plant and equipment increased from 2015 to 2016 but then slightly declined from 2016 to 2017 not reaching 2015 level.

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-16), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-17), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-19), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2014-02-21).

2017 Calculations

Ratio	Description	The company
Estimated time elapsed since purchase	The approximate age in years of a company's fixed assets. Useful for comparison purposes.	Abbott Laboratories's estimated time elapsed since purchase of depreciable property, plant and equipment deteriorated from 2015 to 2016 but then improved from 2016 to 2017 exceeding 2015 level.

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-16), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-17), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-19), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2014-02-21).

2017 Calculations

Ratio	Description	The company
Estimated remaining life		Abbott Laboratories's estimated remaining life of depreciable property, plant and equipment increased from 2015 to 2016 and from 2016 to 2017.