Analysis of Profitability Ratios
Quarterly Data
Profitability ratios measure the company ability to generate profitable sales from its resources (assets).
Profitability Ratios (Summary)
Abbott Laboratories, profitability ratios (quarterly data)
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-03-31).
- Gross Profit Margin
- The gross profit margin displayed a moderate upward trend from March 2021 to September 2022, increasing from 50.49% to a peak of 53.54%. After this peak, it gradually declined to 49.97% by December 2023, before slightly recovering to 51.50% by March 2025. Overall, the margin has remained relatively stable around the 50% mark, reflecting consistent cost management and pricing strategies over the observed periods.
- Operating Profit Margin
- The operating profit margin demonstrated a notable improvement from 15.48% in March 2021 to 22.42% in September 2022. Following this peak, a decreasing trend was evident, falling to 15.02% by December 2023. Subsequently, it showed a mild recovery, reaching 16.84% by March 2025. This pattern indicates variability in operating efficiencies and expense control during these intervals, with a significant dip post-September 2022.
- Net Profit Margin
- Net profit margin trends largely mirrored those of the operating profit margin, rising from 12.99% in March 2021 to 18.78% in September 2022. After declining to approximately 12.83% in September 2023, it exhibited an upward trajectory, culminating in a substantial increase to around 31.95% by March 2025. This sharp increase at the end of the period suggests either exceptional gains or significant improvements in non-operating income or tax factors impacting net profitability.
- Return on Equity (ROE)
- Return on equity followed a growth pattern from 13.71% in March 2021 to a high of 23.44% in September 2022, followed by a decline to approximately 13.77% by December 2023. A recovery phase then occurred, with ROE reaching 28.12% by March 2025. The trends indicate effective utilization of shareholders’ equity in the initial periods, a temporary setback, and later a pronounced enhancement in equity returns, possibly aligned with changes in net income dynamics.
- Return on Assets (ROA)
- Return on assets consistently increased from 6.20% in March 2021 to 11.53% in September 2022. It then decreased to a low of 7.04% by September 2023 and maintained a relatively stable level around 7.60-7.80% through December 2024. A significant improvement to approximately 16.58% was recorded by March 2025. This suggests a period of improved asset efficiency concluding with a marked improvement in asset utilization or profitability contributing to higher returns on assets.
Return on Sales
Return on Investment
Gross Profit Margin
Abbott Laboratories, gross profit margin calculation (quarterly data)
| Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Sep 30, 2021 | Jun 30, 2021 | Mar 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | Sep 30, 2020 | Jun 30, 2020 | Mar 31, 2020 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 5,470) | 5,567) | 5,467) | 5,303) | 5,029) | 5,204) | 5,042) | 4,997) | 4,925) | 5,002) | 5,283) | 5,817) | 6,396) | 6,188) | 5,985) | 4,772) | 5,546) | 5,700) | 4,377) | 3,512) | 3,884) | |||||||
| Net sales | 10,358) | 10,974) | 10,635) | 10,377) | 9,964) | 10,241) | 10,143) | 9,978) | 9,747) | 10,091) | 10,410) | 11,257) | 11,895) | 11,468) | 10,928) | 10,223) | 10,456) | 10,701) | 8,853) | 7,328) | 7,726) | |||||||
| Profitability Ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit margin1 | 51.50% | 50.93% | 50.96% | 50.53% | 50.27% | 50.28% | 49.97% | 50.23% | 50.66% | 51.54% | 52.60% | 53.54% | 52.44% | 52.21% | 52.01% | 50.69% | 51.25% | 50.49% | — | — | — | |||||||
| Benchmarks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Profit Margin, Competitors2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CVS Health Corp. | 13.54% | 13.29% | 13.81% | 14.37% | 14.55% | 14.94% | 15.34% | 15.69% | 16.16% | 16.62% | 16.94% | 17.12% | 17.35% | 17.48% | 17.35% | 17.43% | 17.99% | 18.01% | — | — | — | |||||||
| Elevance Health Inc. | 15.66% | 15.92% | 16.62% | 17.16% | 16.92% | 16.79% | 16.86% | 16.89% | 16.90% | 16.79% | 16.85% | 16.79% | 16.89% | 17.09% | 17.30% | 17.57% | 19.38% | 19.71% | — | — | — | |||||||
| Intuitive Surgical Inc. | 67.09% | 67.46% | 66.98% | 66.86% | 66.43% | 66.39% | 66.61% | 66.74% | 66.86% | 67.44% | 67.77% | 68.16% | 68.84% | 69.32% | 69.12% | 68.69% | 66.48% | 65.65% | — | — | — | |||||||
| Medtronic PLC | 65.16% | 65.34% | 65.50% | 65.40% | 65.68% | 65.67% | 66.43% | 67.21% | 67.61% | 67.98% | 67.89% | 67.39% | 66.53% | 65.19% | 63.85% | 64.57% | 65.76% | 67.41% | 68.96% | 69.22% | 69.62% | |||||||
| UnitedHealth Group Inc. | 20.98% | 21.31% | 21.91% | 22.63% | 23.18% | 23.64% | 24.16% | 24.08% | 24.20% | 24.09% | 23.74% | 23.51% | 23.31% | 23.60% | 23.75% | 23.80% | 25.79% | 25.62% | — | — | — | |||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-03-31).
1 Q1 2025 Calculation
Gross profit margin = 100
× (Gross profitQ1 2025
+ Gross profitQ4 2024
+ Gross profitQ3 2024
+ Gross profitQ2 2024)
÷ (Net salesQ1 2025
+ Net salesQ4 2024
+ Net salesQ3 2024
+ Net salesQ2 2024)
= 100 × (5,470 + 5,567 + 5,467 + 5,303)
÷ (10,358 + 10,974 + 10,635 + 10,377)
= 51.50%
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
- Net Sales
-
Net sales show a consistent upward trend from March 31, 2020, to March 31, 2025, despite some fluctuations within quarters. Initial values around US$7,726 million increase to over US$10,000 million in later periods. After peaking near US$11,468 million in December 2021, sales experience slight declines and recoveries but remain above US$9,700 million, indicating a generally strong sales performance.
- Gross Profit
-
Gross profit follows a pattern similar to net sales, with values increasing from US$3,884 million in March 2020 to figures around US$5,400 million to US$5,600 million in the 2024 and 2025 periods. Peak gross profit occurred in December 2020 (US$5,700 million) with some volatility afterward. Notably, gross profit decreased from a peak in early 2022 but then recovered gradually by the end of the data series.
- Gross Profit Margin
-
Gross profit margin data is available starting December 31, 2020, indicating a relatively stable margin fluctuating between approximately 49.9% and 53.5%. The margin peaked at 53.54% in September 2022 but generally hovered around 50-52% through the periods. The margin remained consistent without substantial deviation, reflecting stable cost control relative to sales.
- Summary
-
The financial figures suggest steady growth in revenue with net sales rising over time. Gross profit levels correspondingly improved, albeit with periodic short-term variability. The gross profit margin maintained stability within a narrow range, indicating effective management of production or service delivery costs relative to sales. Although some quarterly fluctuations are present, the overall pattern points to sustained operational efficiency and consistent profitability levels over the analyzed periods.
Operating Profit Margin
Abbott Laboratories, operating profit margin calculation (quarterly data)
| Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Sep 30, 2021 | Jun 30, 2021 | Mar 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | Sep 30, 2020 | Jun 30, 2020 | Mar 31, 2020 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating earnings | 1,693) | 1,911) | 1,859) | 1,669) | 1,386) | 1,780) | 1,647) | 1,542) | 1,509) | 1,304) | 1,770) | 2,376) | 2,912) | 2,378) | 2,546) | 1,392) | 2,109) | 2,432) | 1,495) | 672) | 758) | |||||||
| Net sales | 10,358) | 10,974) | 10,635) | 10,377) | 9,964) | 10,241) | 10,143) | 9,978) | 9,747) | 10,091) | 10,410) | 11,257) | 11,895) | 11,468) | 10,928) | 10,223) | 10,456) | 10,701) | 8,853) | 7,328) | 7,726) | |||||||
| Profitability Ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating profit margin1 | 16.84% | 16.27% | 16.24% | 15.92% | 15.76% | 16.15% | 15.02% | 15.23% | 16.77% | 19.16% | 20.95% | 22.42% | 20.73% | 19.56% | 20.04% | 18.46% | 17.97% | 15.48% | — | — | — | |||||||
| Benchmarks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Profit Margin, Competitors2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CVS Health Corp. | 2.55% | 2.30% | 2.59% | 3.42% | 3.49% | 3.85% | 4.04% | 1.88% | 2.33% | 2.41% | 2.02% | 4.35% | 4.39% | 4.54% | 4.75% | 4.93% | 5.19% | 5.19% | — | — | — | |||||||
| Elevance Health Inc. | 4.07% | 4.16% | 4.55% | 4.76% | 4.64% | 4.47% | 4.58% | 4.96% | 4.99% | 4.94% | 5.01% | 5.07% | 5.10% | 5.15% | 4.91% | 3.68% | 4.83% | 4.97% | — | — | — | |||||||
| Intuitive Surgical Inc. | 28.20% | 28.12% | 26.24% | 25.79% | 25.26% | 24.80% | 24.66% | 24.34% | 24.21% | 25.35% | 27.05% | 28.48% | 30.69% | 31.89% | 32.55% | 31.27% | 26.01% | 24.09% | — | — | — | |||||||
| Medtronic PLC | 15.82% | 15.89% | 17.50% | 17.41% | 17.83% | 17.56% | 18.17% | 19.02% | 19.37% | 18.15% | 17.89% | 16.68% | 14.78% | 14.89% | 11.44% | 12.77% | 14.25% | 16.57% | 20.67% | 20.47% | 21.25% | |||||||
| UnitedHealth Group Inc. | 8.27% | 8.17% | 8.28% | 8.40% | 8.58% | 8.80% | 8.86% | 8.83% | 8.87% | 8.83% | 8.65% | 8.32% | 8.19% | 8.40% | 7.91% | 7.73% | 9.24% | 8.76% | — | — | — | |||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-03-31).
1 Q1 2025 Calculation
Operating profit margin = 100
× (Operating earningsQ1 2025
+ Operating earningsQ4 2024
+ Operating earningsQ3 2024
+ Operating earningsQ2 2024)
÷ (Net salesQ1 2025
+ Net salesQ4 2024
+ Net salesQ3 2024
+ Net salesQ2 2024)
= 100 × (1,693 + 1,911 + 1,859 + 1,669)
÷ (10,358 + 10,974 + 10,635 + 10,377)
= 16.84%
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
- Net Sales
- Net sales demonstrate a generally upward trend from March 2020 through December 2021, increasing from 7,726 million US dollars to a peak of 11,468 million US dollars. Following this peak, a gradual decline is observed into early 2023, with values dipping to 9,747 million US dollars in March 2023. Subsequently, sales exhibit a moderate recovery, fluctuating around the 10,000 to 10,900 million dollar mark through March 2025, with some volatility but without reaching previous highs.
- Operating Earnings
- Operating earnings show significant volatility throughout the periods. From March 2020 to December 2020, values increase substantially from 758 million to 2,432 million US dollars, indicating a sharp improvement in operational profitability. However, following December 2020, earnings exhibit fluctuations, with multiple peaks and troughs—for example, declining to 1,392 million in June 2021, rising again to 2,546 million in September 2021, and then falling steadily through December 2022 to 1,304 million. From early 2023 onward, operating earnings recover modestly, showing an overall upward trend but with reduced magnitude compared to the peak in late 2020. Towards the end of the period in March 2025, operating earnings moderate to 1,693 million US dollars.
- Operating Profit Margin
- The operating profit margin data is available starting from March 2021, registering an initial margin of 15.48%. From this point, the margin improves steadily, reaching a peak of 22.42% by September 2021. After this peak, the margin generally declines, stabilizing around 16% to 20% across the remaining periods. Margins fluctuate moderately but maintain a relatively stable range between approximately 15% and 17% from early 2023 to March 2025, without any strong directional trend.
- Overall Analysis
- The data indicate that the company experienced strong sales growth and significant improvement in operating earnings up to late 2021, supported by increasing operating profit margins. However, this period was followed by a phase of moderation and volatility in earnings along with a slight reduction and recovery pattern in sales. Operating profit margins, after peaking in late 2021, retreated to lower but steadier levels over the subsequent years. These trends suggest cyclical factors influencing profitability and sales volume, as well as possible shifts in cost structure or market conditions affecting operational efficiency after the initial growth period.
Net Profit Margin
Abbott Laboratories, net profit margin calculation (quarterly data)
| Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Sep 30, 2021 | Jun 30, 2021 | Mar 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | Sep 30, 2020 | Jun 30, 2020 | Mar 31, 2020 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | 1,325) | 9,229) | 1,646) | 1,302) | 1,225) | 1,594) | 1,436) | 1,375) | 1,318) | 1,033) | 1,435) | 2,018) | 2,447) | 1,989) | 2,100) | 1,189) | 1,793) | 2,162) | 1,232) | 537) | 564) | |||||||
| Net sales | 10,358) | 10,974) | 10,635) | 10,377) | 9,964) | 10,241) | 10,143) | 9,978) | 9,747) | 10,091) | 10,410) | 11,257) | 11,895) | 11,468) | 10,928) | 10,223) | 10,456) | 10,701) | 8,853) | 7,328) | 7,726) | |||||||
| Profitability Ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net profit margin1 | 31.89% | 31.95% | 13.99% | 13.65% | 13.96% | 14.27% | 12.92% | 12.83% | 13.98% | 15.88% | 17.52% | 18.78% | 17.35% | 16.42% | 17.12% | 15.85% | 15.33% | 12.99% | — | — | — | |||||||
| Benchmarks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Profit Margin, Competitors2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CVS Health Corp. | 1.40% | 1.24% | 1.37% | 1.99% | 2.04% | 2.34% | 2.48% | 0.86% | 1.20% | 1.29% | 1.00% | 2.66% | 2.68% | 2.72% | 2.67% | 2.60% | 2.74% | 2.68% | — | — | — | |||||||
| Elevance Health Inc. | 3.26% | 3.41% | 3.72% | 3.93% | 3.66% | 3.52% | 3.63% | 3.89% | 3.89% | 3.87% | 4.09% | 4.13% | 4.37% | 4.46% | 4.17% | 3.32% | 3.82% | 3.78% | — | — | — | |||||||
| Intuitive Surgical Inc. | 28.41% | 27.81% | 28.51% | 27.65% | 27.16% | 25.24% | 22.14% | 21.38% | 20.40% | 21.25% | 22.52% | 24.05% | 27.84% | 29.85% | 30.78% | 31.43% | 25.78% | 24.33% | — | — | — | |||||||
| Medtronic PLC | 12.05% | 11.36% | 13.00% | 12.84% | 11.47% | 12.03% | 13.20% | 14.03% | 16.75% | 15.90% | 15.46% | 14.79% | 12.29% | 11.97% | 10.36% | 12.69% | 15.80% | 16.56% | 17.11% | 15.11% | 14.41% | |||||||
| UnitedHealth Group Inc. | 5.46% | 3.65% | 3.68% | 3.70% | 4.09% | 6.09% | 6.09% | 6.11% | 6.21% | 6.25% | 6.21% | 5.99% | 5.91% | 6.06% | 5.56% | 5.37% | 6.46% | 6.03% | — | — | — | |||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-03-31).
1 Q1 2025 Calculation
Net profit margin = 100
× (Net earningsQ1 2025
+ Net earningsQ4 2024
+ Net earningsQ3 2024
+ Net earningsQ2 2024)
÷ (Net salesQ1 2025
+ Net salesQ4 2024
+ Net salesQ3 2024
+ Net salesQ2 2024)
= 100 × (1,325 + 9,229 + 1,646 + 1,302)
÷ (10,358 + 10,974 + 10,635 + 10,377)
= 31.89%
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
- Net Earnings
- The net earnings exhibited notable volatility over the analyzed periods. After a moderate start in early 2020, net earnings peaked in the final quarter of 2020. This was followed by a decline throughout 2021 and into 2022, reaching a low point in the last quarter of 2022. Beginning in 2023, there was a gradual recovery with fluctuations, peaking substantially in the first quarter of 2025 before dropping again slightly. This pattern indicates cycles of profitability with a significant peak observed at the start of 2025.
- Net Sales
- Net sales demonstrated a generally increasing trend from the first quarter of 2020 through the end of 2021, reaching a high point at the end of 2021. From 2022 onwards, net sales showed mild fluctuations but remained relatively stable with slight increases quarter over quarter. The variations are less pronounced compared to net earnings, suggesting stable revenue generation despite fluctuations in profitability.
- Net Profit Margin
- Net profit margin was first reported from the fourth quarter of 2020, showing a steady increase from 12.99% to a peak of 18.78% in the third quarter of 2021. Afterward, it displayed a gradual decline throughout 2022 and into 2023, reaching around 12.83% in the third quarter of 2023. From late 2023 onwards, the margin stabilized around the mid-13% to mid-14% range. However, a remarkable surge appears in the first quarter of 2025, with net profit margins doubling to nearly 32%, indicating exceptionally high profitability relative to sales during this period.
- Overall Insights
- The data reflects a pattern where net sales maintain relative stability with slow growth, while net earnings and profit margins show significant variability. The profit margin peaks suggest periods of enhanced operational efficiency or extraordinary gains, especially marked in the first quarter of 2025. The divergence between stable sales and fluctuating earnings and margins implies varying cost structures, expenses, or one-time financial impacts affecting profitability more than top-line revenue. These trends highlight earnings volatility in the context of steadier revenue performance.
Return on Equity (ROE)
Abbott Laboratories, ROE calculation (quarterly data)
| Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Sep 30, 2021 | Jun 30, 2021 | Mar 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | Sep 30, 2020 | Jun 30, 2020 | Mar 31, 2020 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | 1,325) | 9,229) | 1,646) | 1,302) | 1,225) | 1,594) | 1,436) | 1,375) | 1,318) | 1,033) | 1,435) | 2,018) | 2,447) | 1,989) | 2,100) | 1,189) | 1,793) | 2,162) | 1,232) | 537) | 564) | |||||||
| Total Abbott shareholders’ investment | 48,811) | 47,664) | 39,796) | 39,318) | 38,810) | 38,603) | 37,481) | 37,174) | 37,010) | 36,686) | 35,675) | 36,490) | 35,399) | 35,802) | 34,422) | 33,800) | 33,562) | 32,784) | 31,386) | 30,578) | 30,218) | |||||||
| Profitability Ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ROE1 | 27.66% | 28.12% | 14.49% | 14.13% | 14.51% | 14.83% | 13.77% | 13.88% | 15.68% | 18.90% | 22.11% | 23.44% | 21.82% | 19.75% | 21.04% | 18.86% | 17.06% | 13.71% | — | — | — | |||||||
| Benchmarks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ROE, Competitors2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CVS Health Corp. | 6.86% | 6.11% | 6.69% | 9.60% | 9.90% | 10.91% | 11.57% | 4.02% | 5.57% | 5.84% | 4.46% | 10.86% | 10.83% | 10.54% | 10.20% | 9.83% | 10.44% | 10.35% | — | — | — | |||||||
| Elevance Health Inc. | 13.92% | 14.47% | 14.66% | 15.86% | 15.38% | 15.23% | 15.82% | 16.78% | 16.62% | 16.59% | 17.26% | 17.04% | 17.36% | 16.93% | 15.44% | 12.10% | 13.92% | 13.77% | — | — | — | |||||||
| Intuitive Surgical Inc. | 14.47% | 14.13% | 14.39% | 14.23% | 14.24% | 13.51% | 12.10% | 12.00% | 11.70% | 11.98% | 11.97% | 11.93% | 13.58% | 14.32% | 14.80% | 14.97% | 11.56% | 10.90% | — | — | — | |||||||
| Medtronic PLC | 8.19% | 7.32% | 8.11% | 7.97% | 7.07% | 7.30% | 7.90% | 8.33% | 9.88% | 9.59% | 9.35% | 9.05% | 7.54% | 7.01% | 5.70% | 7.05% | 8.77% | 9.44% | 10.26% | 9.23% | 8.78% | |||||||
| UnitedHealth Group Inc. | 23.26% | 15.55% | 15.14% | 15.78% | 17.72% | 25.22% | 25.67% | 25.63% | 25.46% | 25.87% | 26.03% | 25.07% | 23.98% | 24.09% | 21.95% | 21.03% | 25.42% | 23.52% | — | — | — | |||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-03-31).
1 Q1 2025 Calculation
ROE = 100
× (Net earningsQ1 2025
+ Net earningsQ4 2024
+ Net earningsQ3 2024
+ Net earningsQ2 2024)
÷ Total Abbott shareholders’ investment
= 100 × (1,325 + 9,229 + 1,646 + 1,302)
÷ 48,811 = 27.66%
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The net earnings exhibit notable volatility over the observed periods. Initially, there is a substantial increase from March 2020 to December 2020, culminating in a peak of 2,162 million US dollars. Following this peak, the earnings fluctuate significantly, with several rises and falls through the subsequent quarters. Notably, after a strong performance at the beginning of 2022, there is a downward trend from March 2022 to December 2022. The earnings partially recover in the first half of 2023 but remain below the highest figures registered in 2020 and early 2022. The final value in March 2025 presents a marked increase to 9,229 million US dollars, which appears anomalous relative to previous data points and may indicate an extraordinary event or adjustment.
The total Abbott shareholders’ investment shows a general upward trend over the entire period. Beginning at 30,218 million US dollars in March 2020, there is a steady increase with minor fluctuations, reaching 48,811 million US dollars by March 2025. This growth reflects ongoing capital accumulation or retained earnings contributing to the shareholders’ equity, suggesting a strengthening of the company's capital base over time.
The Return on Equity (ROE) metric, available from December 2020 onward, indicates an improvement in profitability efficiency from 13.71% in December 2020 to a peak of 23.44% in September 2022. After this peak, ROE declines steadily to around 13.77% by December 2023. Subsequently, it stabilizes within a range of approximately 14% to 15% during 2024, but then rises sharply to 28.12% in March 2025, closely followed by 27.66% in June 2025. This sharp increase coincides with the extraordinary rise in net earnings noted earlier, suggesting a significant enhancement in shareholders’ return during these last quarters.
- Net Earnings
- Exhibit considerable fluctuations with peaks in late 2020 and early 2022, a dip in late 2022, moderate recovery through 2023, and an exceptional spike in early 2025.
- Total Abbott Shareholders’ Investment
- Displays a consistent upward trend throughout the period, indicating growth in company equity and capital base.
- Return on Equity (ROE)
- Improves steadily through 2021 and first half of 2022, peaks in late 2022, then decreases and stabilizes around mid-teens until a significant surge in early 2025, reflecting altered profitability dynamics.
Return on Assets (ROA)
Abbott Laboratories, ROA calculation (quarterly data)
| Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Sep 30, 2021 | Jun 30, 2021 | Mar 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | Sep 30, 2020 | Jun 30, 2020 | Mar 31, 2020 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | 1,325) | 9,229) | 1,646) | 1,302) | 1,225) | 1,594) | 1,436) | 1,375) | 1,318) | 1,033) | 1,435) | 2,018) | 2,447) | 1,989) | 2,100) | 1,189) | 1,793) | 2,162) | 1,232) | 537) | 564) | |||||||
| Total assets | 81,448) | 81,414) | 74,356) | 73,017) | 72,467) | 73,214) | 72,090) | 73,354) | 73,794) | 74,438) | 72,801) | 74,202) | 74,007) | 75,196) | 73,795) | 73,269) | 72,785) | 72,548) | 69,043) | 68,776) | 66,777) | |||||||
| Profitability Ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ROA1 | 16.58% | 16.46% | 7.76% | 7.61% | 7.77% | 7.82% | 7.16% | 7.04% | 7.87% | 9.31% | 10.84% | 11.53% | 10.44% | 9.40% | 9.82% | 8.70% | 7.86% | 6.20% | — | — | — | |||||||
| Benchmarks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ROA, Competitors2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CVS Health Corp. | 2.07% | 1.82% | 1.99% | 2.85% | 2.93% | 3.34% | 3.42% | 1.17% | 1.66% | 1.82% | 1.36% | 3.55% | 3.43% | 3.39% | 3.23% | 3.12% | 3.22% | 3.11% | — | — | — | |||||||
| Elevance Health Inc. | 4.94% | 5.12% | 5.51% | 5.92% | 5.58% | 5.50% | 5.50% | 5.87% | 5.69% | 5.86% | 6.03% | 6.05% | 6.21% | 6.26% | 5.63% | 4.40% | 4.93% | 5.28% | — | — | — | |||||||
| Intuitive Surgical Inc. | 12.88% | 12.39% | 12.64% | 12.57% | 12.56% | 11.64% | 10.31% | 10.25% | 10.05% | 10.19% | 10.39% | 10.47% | 12.02% | 12.58% | 13.06% | 13.20% | 10.17% | 9.50% | — | — | — | |||||||
| Medtronic PLC | 4.38% | 4.09% | 4.63% | 4.55% | 3.99% | 4.13% | 4.32% | 4.63% | 5.79% | 5.54% | 5.35% | 5.13% | 4.23% | 3.87% | 2.97% | 3.69% | 4.70% | 5.28% | 5.73% | 5.13% | 4.84% | |||||||
| UnitedHealth Group Inc. | 7.14% | 4.83% | 4.78% | 4.93% | 5.40% | 8.18% | 7.69% | 7.53% | 7.30% | 8.19% | 7.99% | 7.93% | 7.89% | 8.15% | 7.24% | 6.90% | 8.23% | 7.81% | — | — | — | |||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-03-31).
1 Q1 2025 Calculation
ROA = 100
× (Net earningsQ1 2025
+ Net earningsQ4 2024
+ Net earningsQ3 2024
+ Net earningsQ2 2024)
÷ Total assets
= 100 × (1,325 + 9,229 + 1,646 + 1,302)
÷ 81,448 = 16.58%
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The quarterly financial data reveals several notable trends in key financial metrics over the observed periods.
- Net Earnings
- Net earnings exhibit volatility with substantial fluctuations quarter over quarter. Initially, earnings were moderate around the first quarter of 2020, followed by a sharp increase in the latter part of 2020. Throughout 2021 and 2022, net earnings generally presented a declining trend, hitting some lows in late 2022 and early 2023. However, a gradual recovery appears through 2023 and early 2024, before showing a significant jump in the first quarter of 2025.
- Total Assets
- Total assets demonstrate a relatively stable and slow upward trend over the periods. From approximately 66,777 million USD in early 2020, total assets increased steadily, reaching over 81,000 million USD by the first quarter of 2025. The growth is consistent but moderate, indicating steady capital accumulation or asset growth without sharp variations.
- Return on Assets (ROA)
- ROA data, available starting from the fourth quarter of 2020, shows a clear improvement during 2021, peaking above 11% mid-2021. After that, ROA generally declines through 2022 and much of 2023, stabilizing around 7-8%, suggesting a modestly reduced efficiency in asset utilization. Toward the end of the available data, specifically in early 2025, there is a notable surge in ROA to over 16%, implying a significant improvement in profitability relative to assets during that quarter.
Overall, the financial data suggests that while total assets have steadily grown, net earnings have experienced volatility with periods of decline and recovery. Correspondingly, ROA trends reveal fluctuating operational efficiency with a remarkable improvement in the most recent reported period, indicating the company may have optimized asset use or benefited from exceptional earnings in that quarter.