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Cancer Diagnostics: Cologuard Joins AbbottNarrow moat

Abbott Laboratories (ABT) — moat facet

Exact Sciences gave Abbott a screening test with repeat users: Cancer Diagnostics sold $919 million in Q2 2026, up 13.3% comparable.

Abbott bought a new moat in March 2026. Exact Sciences, completed on 23 March for about $20.6 billion1, became the Cancer Diagnostics business, and in the second quarter it sold $919 million, up 13.3% on a comparable basis2. It is now 29.7% of Diagnostics sales3.

Abbott Diagnostics sales by business, Q2 2026 ($M)Core Laboratory 1,418 — 46%Cancer Diagnostics 919 — 30%Rapid and Molecular 755 — 24%Abbott Q2 2026 earnings release, Diagnostics sales table
Cancer Diagnostics is already three-tenths of the segment.

Exact's main product is Cologuard, a stool-based colorectal cancer screening test. Abbott says Cancer Diagnostics growth came from "mid-teens growth of Cologuard, which is benefiting from a growing base of both new and repeat users"4. Repeat users are the moat: a screening test recommended at intervals produces a returning customer without a new sale.

Guidelines support it. In May 2026 the American Cancer Society reaffirmed Cologuard and Cologuard Plus "as preferred screening options for adults age 45 and older who are at average risk for CRC"5. A screening test that guideline writers name is prescribed by habit.

Exact's business is almost entirely American: of its $3.247 billion of 2025 sales, $3.145 billion was in the United States6, 96.9%7. Abbott said the purchase would take it into the "$60 billion U.S. cancer screening and precision oncology diagnostics segments"8.

The first half of 2026 included only part of Exact. Abbott recorded about $1.0 billion of net sales related to Exact Sciences in the first six months9, and Cancer Diagnostics sold $1,015 million in the half, of which $983 million in the United States10. The second quarter was its first full quarter.

In its first half inside Abbott, Cancer Diagnostics sold $1,015 million, against $2,690 million for Core Laboratory and $1,567 million for Rapid and Molecular11. Its international sales grew 16.5% on a comparable basis in the half12, from a small base, which is the first sign of what Abbott's channel can add. Its US sales in the half were $983 million13.

The price was high, about 6.3 times Exact's 2025 sales14, which the root danger page on debt covers. For the business itself the test is Cologuard. The price assumed a repeat-user base that compounds; comparable growth under 10% says it does not.

Moat trajectory: Widening

Cancer Diagnostics +13.3% comparable in Q2 2026; ACS reaffirmed Cologuard in May 2026.

The number that tests this moat
Reported
Cancer Diagnostics comparable sales growth, latest quarter
+13.3% (Q2 2026: $919M)

Whether Cologuard's repeat base compounds; below 10% would mean the price paid assumed too much.

Source: Abbott Q2 2026 earnings release ↗
⚠ Threats to the moat
⚠ THREAT 01
A Screening Business Set by Guideline Writers
Exact Sciences sold 96.9% of its 2025 output in the United States, so Abbott's new cancer business rests on one country's guidelines.
References
  1. ReportedExact Sciences, completed on 23 March for about $20.6 billion, became the Cancer Diagnostics business, and in the second quarter it sold $919 million, up 13.3% on a comparable basis.
    Abbott Laboratories Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 June 2026 - segment sales and operating earnings, the Exact Sciences acquisition and purchase-price allocation, the $20.0 billion of notes, remaining performance obligations, goodwill by segment, expected amortization, legal reserves and the NEC litigation, and the balance sheet at 30 June 2026 - the Exact Sciences acquisition, purchase-price allocation, goodwill by segment and expected amortization. — Q2 2026 · publ. 28 July 2026 · source ↗
  2. ReportedExact Sciences, completed on 23 March for about $20.6 billion, became the Cancer Diagnostics business, and in the second quarter it sold $919 million, up 13.3% on a comparable basis.
    Abbott Laboratories second-quarter 2026 earnings release, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1 - sales by segment and business, comparable growth, income statement, specified items, guidance and the 410th consecutive quarterly dividend - Diagnostics sales by business, Cancer Diagnostics and Cologuard. — Q2 2026 · publ. 16 July 2026 · source ↗
  3. Moat Explorer calcIt is now 29.7% of Diagnostics sales.
    Moat Explorer calculation from Abbott Laboratories reported figures ($ millions unless stated; calendar years). Medical Devices: share of total reportable segment operating earnings 3,011 / 6,916 = 43.5% (2017), 4,533 / 13,422 = 33.8% (2021), 7,212 / 11,800 = 61.1% (2025); first half 2026 3,862 / 6,122 = 63.1%. Share of segment sales 21,387 / 44,311 = 48.3% (2025); first half 2026 11,392 / 23,750 = 48.0%. Segment margin 3,011 / 10,325 = 29.2% (2017), 3,038 / 11,787 = 25.8% (2020), 4,533 / 14,485 = 31.3% (2021), 7,212 / 21,387 = 33.7% (2025); Q2 2026 1,969 / 5,853 = 33.6%, Q2 2025 1,796 / 5,369 = 33.5%. Sales growth 2017-2025 (21,387 / 10,325)^(1/8) - 1 = 9.5% a year; operating earnings 2025 7,212 / 6,153 - 1 = +17.2%; sales 2025 21,387 / 18,986 - 1 = +12.6%. Diabetes Care 7,998 / 1,414 = 5.66 times (2017 to 2025); share of Medical Devices 1,414 / 10,325 = 13.7% (2017), 2,524 / 12,239 = 20.6% (2019), 4,328 / 14,485 = 29.9% (2021), 5,761 / 16,887 = 34.1% (2023), 7,998 / 21,387 = 37.4% (2025); share of company 7,998 / 44,328 = 18.0%; CGM share of Diabetes Care 7.6bn / 7.998bn = 95%. CGM growth 2019-2025 (7.6 / 1.842)^(1/6) - 1 = 26.6% a year. Abbott CGM sales over DexCom revenue 7,600 / 4,662.0 = 1.63 times. DexCom distributor share 3,959.0 / 4,662.0 = 84.9%. Product lines 2017 to 2025: Electrophysiology 2,764 / 1,353 = 2.04 times; Structural Heart 2,523 / 1,083 = 2.33 times; Heart Failure 1,448 / 643 = 2.25 times; Rhythm Management 2,649 / 2,132 - 1 = +24.2%; Neuromodulation 1,010 / 808 - 1 = +25.0%; Vascular 2,995 / 2,892 - 1 = +3.6%. Rhythm Management, Heart Failure, Vascular and Neuromodulation together 2,649 + 1,448 + 2,995 + 1,010 = 8,102 (2025) against 2,390 + 1,279 + 2,837 + 962 = 7,468 (2024), +8.5%. Diagnostics: margin 1,912 / 7,713 = 24.8% (2019), 6,237 / 15,526 = 40.2% (2021), 6,640 / 16,469 = 40.3% (2022), 2,433 / 9,988 = 24.4% (2023), 1,740 / 8,937 = 19.5% (2025); Q2 2026 499 / 3,092 = 16.1%, Q2 2025 372 / 2,173 = 17.1%. Share of segment operating earnings 6,640 / 12,831 = 51.7% (2022), 1,740 / 11,800 = 14.7% (2025). Sales 2025 8,937 / 9,341 - 1 = -4.3%. COVID testing share of Diagnostics sales 2022 8.4bn / 16.469bn = 51%, about half. Core Laboratory 5,360 / 4,063 - 1 = +31.9%. Rapid Diagnostics 2,454 / 10,061 - 1 = -75.6% (2022 to 2025). Point of Care 606 / 550 - 1 = +10.2%. Molecular 2020 peak 1,438 / 463 = 3.11 times 2017. Cancer Diagnostics share of Diagnostics Q2 2026 919 / 3,092 = 29.7%. Exact Sciences US share of 2025 sales 3,145 / 3,247 = 96.9%; purchase price over 2025 sales 20.6bn / 3.247bn = 6.3 times. China net sales 1,907 / 2,253 - 1 = -15.4% (2023 to 2025); China share of company 2,253 / 40,109 = 5.6% (2023), 1,907 / 44,328 = 4.3% (2025). Nutrition: margin 1,741 / 6,975 = 25.0% (2015), 1,705 / 7,409 = 23.0% (2019), 1,763 / 8,294 = 21.3% (2021), 706 / 7,459 = 9.5% (2022), 1,333 / 8,154 = 16.3% (2023), 1,558 / 8,451 = 18.4% (2025); Q2 2026 368 / 2,144 = 17.2%, Q2 2025 418 / 2,212 = 18.9%. Q2 operating earnings 368 / 418 - 1 = -12.0%. Sales 2021 to 2025 8,451 / 8,294 - 1 = +1.9%. Share of company sales 6,925 / 27,390 = 25.3% (2017), 7,409 / 31,904 = 23.2% (2019), 8,294 / 43,075 = 19.3% (2021), 8,154 / 40,109 = 20.3% (2023), 8,451 / 44,328 = 19.1% (2025). US Pediatric 2022 1,562 / 2,192 - 1 = -28.7%. International Adult 3,029 / 1,782 - 1 = +70.0% (2017 to 2025); share of Nutrition 3,029 / 8,451 = 35.8%. International Pediatric 1,816 / 2,112 - 1 = -14.0%. Sturgis: recalled brands 479 / 1,200 - 1 = -60%; Nutrition operating earnings 706 / 1,763 - 1 = -60%. Established Pharmaceuticals: margin 658 / 3,720 = 17.7% (2015), 848 / 4,287 = 19.8% (2017), 904 / 4,486 = 20.2% (2019), 889 / 4,718 = 18.8% (2021), 1,206 / 5,066 = 23.8% (2023), 1,290 / 5,536 = 23.3% (2025); Q2 2026 382 / 1,499 = 25.5%. Sales 5,536 / 3,720 - 1 = +48.8% (2015 to 2025); (5,536 / 4,287)^(1/8) - 1 = 3.2% a year (2017 to 2025). Key Emerging Markets share 4,167 / 5,536 = 75.3%. Segment sales growth 2025: Medical Devices +12.6%, Established Pharmaceuticals 5,536 / 5,194 - 1 = +6.6%, Nutrition 8,451 / 8,413 - 1 = +0.5%, Diagnostics -4.3%; net sales 44,328 / 41,950 - 1 = +5.7%. US share of 2025 net sales 17,126 / 44,328 = 38.6%; international share Q2 2026 7,377 / 12,593 = 58.6%. Further: Structural Heart compensation payments 89 / 2,523 = 3.5% of 2025 line sales. Diabetes Care added 7,998 - 6,805 = 1,193 in 2025. One point of CGM growth on 7.6bn = about 76. Medical Devices share of segment assets 10,689 / (3,540 + 4,791 + 8,273 + 10,689 = 27,293) = 39.2%. Total debt over total assets 32,608 / 109,215 = 29.9% (30 June 2026), 12,929 / 86,713 = 14.9% (end 2025). Net debt over Abbott shareholders' investment 27,005 / 51,110 = 0.53. Market value 173.21 / 217.86 - 1 = -20.5% (end 2025 to 5 October 2026). Second pass: US Structural Heart first half 2026 449 / 1,175 = 38.2%. Rapid Diagnostics 2,454 / 4,376 = 56% of 2020. Diagnostics Q2 2026 operating earnings 499 / 372 - 1 = +34.1%. Nutrition sales (8,451 / 6,925)^(1/8) - 1 = 2.5% a year (2017 to 2025); 8,451 / 7,409 - 1 = +14.1% (2019 to 2025). US Adult Nutrition 1,448 / 1,254 - 1 = +15.5% (2017 to 2025). Adult nutrition 3,029 + 1,448 = 4,477; pediatric 2,158 + 1,816 = 3,974 (2025). Total segment operating earnings 11,800 / 13,422 - 1 = -12.1% (2021 to 2025); Medical Devices 7,212 / 4,533 - 1 = +59.1%. First half 2026 dividends over operating cash flow 2,200 / 3,803 = 57.9%. DexCom revenue 2023 3,095.6 + 526.7 = 3,622.3; 4,662.0 / 3,622.3 - 1 = +28.7%; Abbott CGM 7.6 / 5.3 - 1 = +43.4% (2023 to 2025). US share of first half 2026 sales 9,490 / 23,757 = 39.9%. Diagnostics RPO 6,200 / 8,937 = 69% of 2025 Diagnostics sales; 6,200 / 5,360 = 1.16 times Core Laboratory sales. Libre 7.6 / 1.128 = 6.7 times (2018 to 2025). Medical Devices and Established Pharmaceuticals RPO 455 + 243 = 698, / 6,898 = 10.1%. Cash, debt and dividends: free cash flow 9,566 - 2,171 = 7,395 (2025), 8,558 - 2,207 = 6,351 (2024), 7,261 - 2,202 = 5,059 (2023); after dividends 7,395 - 4,116 = 3,279, about $3.3 billion. Dividends paid over free cash flow 4,116 / 7,395 = 55.7%; over net earnings 4,116 / 6,524 = 63.1%; 2025 dividend per share over adjusted EPS 2.40 / 5.15 = 46.6%; annual dividend 4 x 0.63 = 2.52 over trailing EPS 3.09 = 81.6%. Dividend per share 2.40 / 0.98 = 2.45 times, (2.45)^(1/10) - 1 = 9.4% a year (2015 to 2025). Total debt 3,033 + 9,896 = 12,929 (end 2025), 3,005 + 29,603 = 32,608 (30 June 2026); net debt 12,929 - 8,522 - 417 = 3,990 (end 2025), 32,608 - 5,104 - 499 = 27,005 (30 June 2026), 14,679 - 7,279 = 7,400 (end 2023), 14,125 - 7,967 = 6,158 (end 2024); 27,005 / 3,990 = 6.8 times. Remaining performance obligations 6,200 + 455 + 243 = 6,898, about $6.9 billion; Diagnostics share 6,200 / 6,898 = 90%; beyond 36 months 100% - 52% - 18% = 30%; over trailing twelve-month sales 6,898 / 46,585 = 14.8%, about 15%. Trailing twelve months to June 2026: net sales 44,328 - 21,500 + 23,757 = 46,585; net earnings 6,524 - 3,104 + 2,005 = 5,425; diluted EPS 3.72 - 1.77 + 1.14 = 3.09. Expected amortization 1.5bn (2030) / 2.6bn (2026) - 1 = -42%. Analyst target 120.26 / 100.10 - 1 = +20.1%. 2026 adjusted EPS guidance midpoints (5.55 + 5.80) / 2 = 5.675 (January), (5.38 + 5.58) / 2 = 5.48 (April), (5.45 + 5.60) / 2 = 5.525 (July). Year-end market value (stockanalysis) over net earnings and net sales: 2015 66.99bn / 4,423 = 15.15, / 20,405 = 3.283; 2016 56.55 / 1,400 = 40.39, / 20,853 = 2.712; 2017 99.34 / 477 = 208.26, / 27,390 = 3.627; 2018 127.04 / 2,368 = 53.65, / 30,578 = 4.155; 2019 153.61 / 3,687 = 41.66, / 31,904 = 4.815; 2020 194.06 / 4,495 = 43.17, / 34,608 = 5.607; 2021 248.87 / 7,071 = 35.20, / 43,075 = 5.778; 2022 191.43 / 6,933 = 27.61, / 43,653 = 4.385; 2023 191.09 / 5,723 = 33.39, / 40,109 = 4.764; 2024 196.18 / 13,402 = 14.64, / 41,950 = 4.677; 2025 217.86 / 6,524 = 33.39, / 44,328 = 4.915; 5 October 2026 173.21bn / 5,425 = 31.93, / 46,585 = 3.718 - Diagnostics, COVID testing, Exact Sciences, China and remaining performance obligations. — FY2015-Q2 2026 · publ. October 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in Abbott Laboratories Forms 10-K and 10-Q and earnings releases, the DexCom Form 10-K, and stockanalysis.com market values; each operand is stated in the source line.
  4. ReportedAbbott says Cancer Diagnostics growth came from "mid-teens growth of Cologuard, which is benefiting from a growing base of both new and repeat users".
    Abbott Laboratories second-quarter 2026 earnings release, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1 - sales by segment and business, comparable growth, income statement, specified items, guidance and the 410th consecutive quarterly dividend - Diagnostics sales by business, Cancer Diagnostics and Cologuard. — Q2 2026 · publ. 16 July 2026 · source ↗
  5. ReportedIn May 2026 the American Cancer Society reaffirmed Cologuard and Cologuard Plus "as preferred screening options for adults age 45 and older who are at average risk for CRC".
    Abbott Laboratories second-quarter 2026 earnings release, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1 - sales by segment and business, comparable growth, income statement, specified items, guidance and the 410th consecutive quarterly dividend - Diagnostics sales by business, Cancer Diagnostics and Cologuard. — Q2 2026 · publ. 16 July 2026 · source ↗
  6. ReportedExact's business is almost entirely American: of its $3.247 billion of 2025 sales, $3.145 billion was in the United States, 96.9%.
    Abbott Laboratories second-quarter 2026 earnings release, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1 - sales by segment and business, comparable growth, income statement, specified items, guidance and the 410th consecutive quarterly dividend - Diagnostics sales by business, Cancer Diagnostics and Cologuard. — Q2 2026 · publ. 16 July 2026 · source ↗
  7. Moat Explorer calcExact's business is almost entirely American: of its $3.247 billion of 2025 sales, $3.145 billion was in the United States, 96.9%.
    Moat Explorer calculation from Abbott Laboratories reported figures ($ millions unless stated; calendar years). Medical Devices: share of total reportable segment operating earnings 3,011 / 6,916 = 43.5% (2017), 4,533 / 13,422 = 33.8% (2021), 7,212 / 11,800 = 61.1% (2025); first half 2026 3,862 / 6,122 = 63.1%. Share of segment sales 21,387 / 44,311 = 48.3% (2025); first half 2026 11,392 / 23,750 = 48.0%. Segment margin 3,011 / 10,325 = 29.2% (2017), 3,038 / 11,787 = 25.8% (2020), 4,533 / 14,485 = 31.3% (2021), 7,212 / 21,387 = 33.7% (2025); Q2 2026 1,969 / 5,853 = 33.6%, Q2 2025 1,796 / 5,369 = 33.5%. Sales growth 2017-2025 (21,387 / 10,325)^(1/8) - 1 = 9.5% a year; operating earnings 2025 7,212 / 6,153 - 1 = +17.2%; sales 2025 21,387 / 18,986 - 1 = +12.6%. Diabetes Care 7,998 / 1,414 = 5.66 times (2017 to 2025); share of Medical Devices 1,414 / 10,325 = 13.7% (2017), 2,524 / 12,239 = 20.6% (2019), 4,328 / 14,485 = 29.9% (2021), 5,761 / 16,887 = 34.1% (2023), 7,998 / 21,387 = 37.4% (2025); share of company 7,998 / 44,328 = 18.0%; CGM share of Diabetes Care 7.6bn / 7.998bn = 95%. CGM growth 2019-2025 (7.6 / 1.842)^(1/6) - 1 = 26.6% a year. Abbott CGM sales over DexCom revenue 7,600 / 4,662.0 = 1.63 times. DexCom distributor share 3,959.0 / 4,662.0 = 84.9%. Product lines 2017 to 2025: Electrophysiology 2,764 / 1,353 = 2.04 times; Structural Heart 2,523 / 1,083 = 2.33 times; Heart Failure 1,448 / 643 = 2.25 times; Rhythm Management 2,649 / 2,132 - 1 = +24.2%; Neuromodulation 1,010 / 808 - 1 = +25.0%; Vascular 2,995 / 2,892 - 1 = +3.6%. Rhythm Management, Heart Failure, Vascular and Neuromodulation together 2,649 + 1,448 + 2,995 + 1,010 = 8,102 (2025) against 2,390 + 1,279 + 2,837 + 962 = 7,468 (2024), +8.5%. Diagnostics: margin 1,912 / 7,713 = 24.8% (2019), 6,237 / 15,526 = 40.2% (2021), 6,640 / 16,469 = 40.3% (2022), 2,433 / 9,988 = 24.4% (2023), 1,740 / 8,937 = 19.5% (2025); Q2 2026 499 / 3,092 = 16.1%, Q2 2025 372 / 2,173 = 17.1%. Share of segment operating earnings 6,640 / 12,831 = 51.7% (2022), 1,740 / 11,800 = 14.7% (2025). Sales 2025 8,937 / 9,341 - 1 = -4.3%. COVID testing share of Diagnostics sales 2022 8.4bn / 16.469bn = 51%, about half. Core Laboratory 5,360 / 4,063 - 1 = +31.9%. Rapid Diagnostics 2,454 / 10,061 - 1 = -75.6% (2022 to 2025). Point of Care 606 / 550 - 1 = +10.2%. Molecular 2020 peak 1,438 / 463 = 3.11 times 2017. Cancer Diagnostics share of Diagnostics Q2 2026 919 / 3,092 = 29.7%. Exact Sciences US share of 2025 sales 3,145 / 3,247 = 96.9%; purchase price over 2025 sales 20.6bn / 3.247bn = 6.3 times. China net sales 1,907 / 2,253 - 1 = -15.4% (2023 to 2025); China share of company 2,253 / 40,109 = 5.6% (2023), 1,907 / 44,328 = 4.3% (2025). Nutrition: margin 1,741 / 6,975 = 25.0% (2015), 1,705 / 7,409 = 23.0% (2019), 1,763 / 8,294 = 21.3% (2021), 706 / 7,459 = 9.5% (2022), 1,333 / 8,154 = 16.3% (2023), 1,558 / 8,451 = 18.4% (2025); Q2 2026 368 / 2,144 = 17.2%, Q2 2025 418 / 2,212 = 18.9%. Q2 operating earnings 368 / 418 - 1 = -12.0%. Sales 2021 to 2025 8,451 / 8,294 - 1 = +1.9%. Share of company sales 6,925 / 27,390 = 25.3% (2017), 7,409 / 31,904 = 23.2% (2019), 8,294 / 43,075 = 19.3% (2021), 8,154 / 40,109 = 20.3% (2023), 8,451 / 44,328 = 19.1% (2025). US Pediatric 2022 1,562 / 2,192 - 1 = -28.7%. International Adult 3,029 / 1,782 - 1 = +70.0% (2017 to 2025); share of Nutrition 3,029 / 8,451 = 35.8%. International Pediatric 1,816 / 2,112 - 1 = -14.0%. Sturgis: recalled brands 479 / 1,200 - 1 = -60%; Nutrition operating earnings 706 / 1,763 - 1 = -60%. Established Pharmaceuticals: margin 658 / 3,720 = 17.7% (2015), 848 / 4,287 = 19.8% (2017), 904 / 4,486 = 20.2% (2019), 889 / 4,718 = 18.8% (2021), 1,206 / 5,066 = 23.8% (2023), 1,290 / 5,536 = 23.3% (2025); Q2 2026 382 / 1,499 = 25.5%. Sales 5,536 / 3,720 - 1 = +48.8% (2015 to 2025); (5,536 / 4,287)^(1/8) - 1 = 3.2% a year (2017 to 2025). Key Emerging Markets share 4,167 / 5,536 = 75.3%. Segment sales growth 2025: Medical Devices +12.6%, Established Pharmaceuticals 5,536 / 5,194 - 1 = +6.6%, Nutrition 8,451 / 8,413 - 1 = +0.5%, Diagnostics -4.3%; net sales 44,328 / 41,950 - 1 = +5.7%. US share of 2025 net sales 17,126 / 44,328 = 38.6%; international share Q2 2026 7,377 / 12,593 = 58.6%. Further: Structural Heart compensation payments 89 / 2,523 = 3.5% of 2025 line sales. Diabetes Care added 7,998 - 6,805 = 1,193 in 2025. One point of CGM growth on 7.6bn = about 76. Medical Devices share of segment assets 10,689 / (3,540 + 4,791 + 8,273 + 10,689 = 27,293) = 39.2%. Total debt over total assets 32,608 / 109,215 = 29.9% (30 June 2026), 12,929 / 86,713 = 14.9% (end 2025). Net debt over Abbott shareholders' investment 27,005 / 51,110 = 0.53. Market value 173.21 / 217.86 - 1 = -20.5% (end 2025 to 5 October 2026). Second pass: US Structural Heart first half 2026 449 / 1,175 = 38.2%. Rapid Diagnostics 2,454 / 4,376 = 56% of 2020. Diagnostics Q2 2026 operating earnings 499 / 372 - 1 = +34.1%. Nutrition sales (8,451 / 6,925)^(1/8) - 1 = 2.5% a year (2017 to 2025); 8,451 / 7,409 - 1 = +14.1% (2019 to 2025). US Adult Nutrition 1,448 / 1,254 - 1 = +15.5% (2017 to 2025). Adult nutrition 3,029 + 1,448 = 4,477; pediatric 2,158 + 1,816 = 3,974 (2025). Total segment operating earnings 11,800 / 13,422 - 1 = -12.1% (2021 to 2025); Medical Devices 7,212 / 4,533 - 1 = +59.1%. First half 2026 dividends over operating cash flow 2,200 / 3,803 = 57.9%. DexCom revenue 2023 3,095.6 + 526.7 = 3,622.3; 4,662.0 / 3,622.3 - 1 = +28.7%; Abbott CGM 7.6 / 5.3 - 1 = +43.4% (2023 to 2025). US share of first half 2026 sales 9,490 / 23,757 = 39.9%. Diagnostics RPO 6,200 / 8,937 = 69% of 2025 Diagnostics sales; 6,200 / 5,360 = 1.16 times Core Laboratory sales. Libre 7.6 / 1.128 = 6.7 times (2018 to 2025). Medical Devices and Established Pharmaceuticals RPO 455 + 243 = 698, / 6,898 = 10.1%. Cash, debt and dividends: free cash flow 9,566 - 2,171 = 7,395 (2025), 8,558 - 2,207 = 6,351 (2024), 7,261 - 2,202 = 5,059 (2023); after dividends 7,395 - 4,116 = 3,279, about $3.3 billion. Dividends paid over free cash flow 4,116 / 7,395 = 55.7%; over net earnings 4,116 / 6,524 = 63.1%; 2025 dividend per share over adjusted EPS 2.40 / 5.15 = 46.6%; annual dividend 4 x 0.63 = 2.52 over trailing EPS 3.09 = 81.6%. Dividend per share 2.40 / 0.98 = 2.45 times, (2.45)^(1/10) - 1 = 9.4% a year (2015 to 2025). Total debt 3,033 + 9,896 = 12,929 (end 2025), 3,005 + 29,603 = 32,608 (30 June 2026); net debt 12,929 - 8,522 - 417 = 3,990 (end 2025), 32,608 - 5,104 - 499 = 27,005 (30 June 2026), 14,679 - 7,279 = 7,400 (end 2023), 14,125 - 7,967 = 6,158 (end 2024); 27,005 / 3,990 = 6.8 times. Remaining performance obligations 6,200 + 455 + 243 = 6,898, about $6.9 billion; Diagnostics share 6,200 / 6,898 = 90%; beyond 36 months 100% - 52% - 18% = 30%; over trailing twelve-month sales 6,898 / 46,585 = 14.8%, about 15%. Trailing twelve months to June 2026: net sales 44,328 - 21,500 + 23,757 = 46,585; net earnings 6,524 - 3,104 + 2,005 = 5,425; diluted EPS 3.72 - 1.77 + 1.14 = 3.09. Expected amortization 1.5bn (2030) / 2.6bn (2026) - 1 = -42%. Analyst target 120.26 / 100.10 - 1 = +20.1%. 2026 adjusted EPS guidance midpoints (5.55 + 5.80) / 2 = 5.675 (January), (5.38 + 5.58) / 2 = 5.48 (April), (5.45 + 5.60) / 2 = 5.525 (July). Year-end market value (stockanalysis) over net earnings and net sales: 2015 66.99bn / 4,423 = 15.15, / 20,405 = 3.283; 2016 56.55 / 1,400 = 40.39, / 20,853 = 2.712; 2017 99.34 / 477 = 208.26, / 27,390 = 3.627; 2018 127.04 / 2,368 = 53.65, / 30,578 = 4.155; 2019 153.61 / 3,687 = 41.66, / 31,904 = 4.815; 2020 194.06 / 4,495 = 43.17, / 34,608 = 5.607; 2021 248.87 / 7,071 = 35.20, / 43,075 = 5.778; 2022 191.43 / 6,933 = 27.61, / 43,653 = 4.385; 2023 191.09 / 5,723 = 33.39, / 40,109 = 4.764; 2024 196.18 / 13,402 = 14.64, / 41,950 = 4.677; 2025 217.86 / 6,524 = 33.39, / 44,328 = 4.915; 5 October 2026 173.21bn / 5,425 = 31.93, / 46,585 = 3.718 - Diagnostics, COVID testing, Exact Sciences, China and remaining performance obligations. — FY2015-Q2 2026 · publ. October 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in Abbott Laboratories Forms 10-K and 10-Q and earnings releases, the DexCom Form 10-K, and stockanalysis.com market values; each operand is stated in the source line.
  8. ReportedAbbott said the purchase would take it into the "$60 billion U.S. cancer screening and precision oncology diagnostics segments".
    Abbott Laboratories release of 23 March 2026, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1 - Abbott completes the acquisition of Exact Sciences, entering the $60 billion US cancer screening and precision oncology diagnostics segments. — March 2026 · publ. 23 March 2026 · source ↗
  9. ReportedAbbott recorded about $1.0 billion of net sales related to Exact Sciences in the first six months, and Cancer Diagnostics sold $1,015 million in the half, of which $983 million in the United States.
    Abbott Laboratories Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 June 2026 - segment sales and operating earnings, the Exact Sciences acquisition and purchase-price allocation, the $20.0 billion of notes, remaining performance obligations, goodwill by segment, expected amortization, legal reserves and the NEC litigation, and the balance sheet at 30 June 2026 - the Exact Sciences acquisition, purchase-price allocation, goodwill by segment and expected amortization. — Q2 2026 · publ. 28 July 2026 · source ↗
  10. ReportedAbbott recorded about $1.0 billion of net sales related to Exact Sciences in the first six months, and Cancer Diagnostics sold $1,015 million in the half, of which $983 million in the United States.
    Abbott Laboratories second-quarter 2026 earnings release, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1 - sales by segment and business, comparable growth, income statement, specified items, guidance and the 410th consecutive quarterly dividend - Diagnostics sales by business, Cancer Diagnostics and Cologuard. — Q2 2026 · publ. 16 July 2026 · source ↗
  11. ReportedIn its first half inside Abbott, Cancer Diagnostics sold $1,015 million, against $2,690 million for Core Laboratory and $1,567 million for Rapid and Molecular.
    Abbott Laboratories second-quarter 2026 earnings release, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1 - sales by segment and business, comparable growth, income statement, specified items, guidance and the 410th consecutive quarterly dividend - Diagnostics sales by business, Cancer Diagnostics and Cologuard. — Q2 2026 · publ. 16 July 2026 · source ↗
  12. ReportedIts international sales grew 16.5% on a comparable basis in the half, from a small base, which is the first sign of what Abbott's channel can add.
    Abbott Laboratories second-quarter 2026 earnings release, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1 - sales by segment and business, comparable growth, income statement, specified items, guidance and the 410th consecutive quarterly dividend - total sales, income statement, specified items, tax rate, guidance and the dividend. — Q2 2026 · publ. 16 July 2026 · source ↗
  13. ReportedIts US sales in the half were $983 million.
    Abbott Laboratories second-quarter 2026 earnings release, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1 - sales by segment and business, comparable growth, income statement, specified items, guidance and the 410th consecutive quarterly dividend - total sales, income statement, specified items, tax rate, guidance and the dividend. — Q2 2026 · publ. 16 July 2026 · source ↗
  14. Moat Explorer calcThe price was high, about 6.3 times Exact's 2025 sales, which the root danger page on debt covers.
    Moat Explorer calculation from Abbott Laboratories reported figures ($ millions unless stated; calendar years). Medical Devices: share of total reportable segment operating earnings 3,011 / 6,916 = 43.5% (2017), 4,533 / 13,422 = 33.8% (2021), 7,212 / 11,800 = 61.1% (2025); first half 2026 3,862 / 6,122 = 63.1%. Share of segment sales 21,387 / 44,311 = 48.3% (2025); first half 2026 11,392 / 23,750 = 48.0%. Segment margin 3,011 / 10,325 = 29.2% (2017), 3,038 / 11,787 = 25.8% (2020), 4,533 / 14,485 = 31.3% (2021), 7,212 / 21,387 = 33.7% (2025); Q2 2026 1,969 / 5,853 = 33.6%, Q2 2025 1,796 / 5,369 = 33.5%. Sales growth 2017-2025 (21,387 / 10,325)^(1/8) - 1 = 9.5% a year; operating earnings 2025 7,212 / 6,153 - 1 = +17.2%; sales 2025 21,387 / 18,986 - 1 = +12.6%. Diabetes Care 7,998 / 1,414 = 5.66 times (2017 to 2025); share of Medical Devices 1,414 / 10,325 = 13.7% (2017), 2,524 / 12,239 = 20.6% (2019), 4,328 / 14,485 = 29.9% (2021), 5,761 / 16,887 = 34.1% (2023), 7,998 / 21,387 = 37.4% (2025); share of company 7,998 / 44,328 = 18.0%; CGM share of Diabetes Care 7.6bn / 7.998bn = 95%. CGM growth 2019-2025 (7.6 / 1.842)^(1/6) - 1 = 26.6% a year. Abbott CGM sales over DexCom revenue 7,600 / 4,662.0 = 1.63 times. DexCom distributor share 3,959.0 / 4,662.0 = 84.9%. Product lines 2017 to 2025: Electrophysiology 2,764 / 1,353 = 2.04 times; Structural Heart 2,523 / 1,083 = 2.33 times; Heart Failure 1,448 / 643 = 2.25 times; Rhythm Management 2,649 / 2,132 - 1 = +24.2%; Neuromodulation 1,010 / 808 - 1 = +25.0%; Vascular 2,995 / 2,892 - 1 = +3.6%. Rhythm Management, Heart Failure, Vascular and Neuromodulation together 2,649 + 1,448 + 2,995 + 1,010 = 8,102 (2025) against 2,390 + 1,279 + 2,837 + 962 = 7,468 (2024), +8.5%. Diagnostics: margin 1,912 / 7,713 = 24.8% (2019), 6,237 / 15,526 = 40.2% (2021), 6,640 / 16,469 = 40.3% (2022), 2,433 / 9,988 = 24.4% (2023), 1,740 / 8,937 = 19.5% (2025); Q2 2026 499 / 3,092 = 16.1%, Q2 2025 372 / 2,173 = 17.1%. Share of segment operating earnings 6,640 / 12,831 = 51.7% (2022), 1,740 / 11,800 = 14.7% (2025). Sales 2025 8,937 / 9,341 - 1 = -4.3%. COVID testing share of Diagnostics sales 2022 8.4bn / 16.469bn = 51%, about half. Core Laboratory 5,360 / 4,063 - 1 = +31.9%. Rapid Diagnostics 2,454 / 10,061 - 1 = -75.6% (2022 to 2025). Point of Care 606 / 550 - 1 = +10.2%. Molecular 2020 peak 1,438 / 463 = 3.11 times 2017. Cancer Diagnostics share of Diagnostics Q2 2026 919 / 3,092 = 29.7%. Exact Sciences US share of 2025 sales 3,145 / 3,247 = 96.9%; purchase price over 2025 sales 20.6bn / 3.247bn = 6.3 times. China net sales 1,907 / 2,253 - 1 = -15.4% (2023 to 2025); China share of company 2,253 / 40,109 = 5.6% (2023), 1,907 / 44,328 = 4.3% (2025). Nutrition: margin 1,741 / 6,975 = 25.0% (2015), 1,705 / 7,409 = 23.0% (2019), 1,763 / 8,294 = 21.3% (2021), 706 / 7,459 = 9.5% (2022), 1,333 / 8,154 = 16.3% (2023), 1,558 / 8,451 = 18.4% (2025); Q2 2026 368 / 2,144 = 17.2%, Q2 2025 418 / 2,212 = 18.9%. Q2 operating earnings 368 / 418 - 1 = -12.0%. Sales 2021 to 2025 8,451 / 8,294 - 1 = +1.9%. Share of company sales 6,925 / 27,390 = 25.3% (2017), 7,409 / 31,904 = 23.2% (2019), 8,294 / 43,075 = 19.3% (2021), 8,154 / 40,109 = 20.3% (2023), 8,451 / 44,328 = 19.1% (2025). US Pediatric 2022 1,562 / 2,192 - 1 = -28.7%. International Adult 3,029 / 1,782 - 1 = +70.0% (2017 to 2025); share of Nutrition 3,029 / 8,451 = 35.8%. International Pediatric 1,816 / 2,112 - 1 = -14.0%. Sturgis: recalled brands 479 / 1,200 - 1 = -60%; Nutrition operating earnings 706 / 1,763 - 1 = -60%. Established Pharmaceuticals: margin 658 / 3,720 = 17.7% (2015), 848 / 4,287 = 19.8% (2017), 904 / 4,486 = 20.2% (2019), 889 / 4,718 = 18.8% (2021), 1,206 / 5,066 = 23.8% (2023), 1,290 / 5,536 = 23.3% (2025); Q2 2026 382 / 1,499 = 25.5%. Sales 5,536 / 3,720 - 1 = +48.8% (2015 to 2025); (5,536 / 4,287)^(1/8) - 1 = 3.2% a year (2017 to 2025). Key Emerging Markets share 4,167 / 5,536 = 75.3%. Segment sales growth 2025: Medical Devices +12.6%, Established Pharmaceuticals 5,536 / 5,194 - 1 = +6.6%, Nutrition 8,451 / 8,413 - 1 = +0.5%, Diagnostics -4.3%; net sales 44,328 / 41,950 - 1 = +5.7%. US share of 2025 net sales 17,126 / 44,328 = 38.6%; international share Q2 2026 7,377 / 12,593 = 58.6%. Further: Structural Heart compensation payments 89 / 2,523 = 3.5% of 2025 line sales. Diabetes Care added 7,998 - 6,805 = 1,193 in 2025. One point of CGM growth on 7.6bn = about 76. Medical Devices share of segment assets 10,689 / (3,540 + 4,791 + 8,273 + 10,689 = 27,293) = 39.2%. Total debt over total assets 32,608 / 109,215 = 29.9% (30 June 2026), 12,929 / 86,713 = 14.9% (end 2025). Net debt over Abbott shareholders' investment 27,005 / 51,110 = 0.53. Market value 173.21 / 217.86 - 1 = -20.5% (end 2025 to 5 October 2026). Second pass: US Structural Heart first half 2026 449 / 1,175 = 38.2%. Rapid Diagnostics 2,454 / 4,376 = 56% of 2020. Diagnostics Q2 2026 operating earnings 499 / 372 - 1 = +34.1%. Nutrition sales (8,451 / 6,925)^(1/8) - 1 = 2.5% a year (2017 to 2025); 8,451 / 7,409 - 1 = +14.1% (2019 to 2025). US Adult Nutrition 1,448 / 1,254 - 1 = +15.5% (2017 to 2025). Adult nutrition 3,029 + 1,448 = 4,477; pediatric 2,158 + 1,816 = 3,974 (2025). Total segment operating earnings 11,800 / 13,422 - 1 = -12.1% (2021 to 2025); Medical Devices 7,212 / 4,533 - 1 = +59.1%. First half 2026 dividends over operating cash flow 2,200 / 3,803 = 57.9%. DexCom revenue 2023 3,095.6 + 526.7 = 3,622.3; 4,662.0 / 3,622.3 - 1 = +28.7%; Abbott CGM 7.6 / 5.3 - 1 = +43.4% (2023 to 2025). US share of first half 2026 sales 9,490 / 23,757 = 39.9%. Diagnostics RPO 6,200 / 8,937 = 69% of 2025 Diagnostics sales; 6,200 / 5,360 = 1.16 times Core Laboratory sales. Libre 7.6 / 1.128 = 6.7 times (2018 to 2025). Medical Devices and Established Pharmaceuticals RPO 455 + 243 = 698, / 6,898 = 10.1%. Cash, debt and dividends: free cash flow 9,566 - 2,171 = 7,395 (2025), 8,558 - 2,207 = 6,351 (2024), 7,261 - 2,202 = 5,059 (2023); after dividends 7,395 - 4,116 = 3,279, about $3.3 billion. Dividends paid over free cash flow 4,116 / 7,395 = 55.7%; over net earnings 4,116 / 6,524 = 63.1%; 2025 dividend per share over adjusted EPS 2.40 / 5.15 = 46.6%; annual dividend 4 x 0.63 = 2.52 over trailing EPS 3.09 = 81.6%. Dividend per share 2.40 / 0.98 = 2.45 times, (2.45)^(1/10) - 1 = 9.4% a year (2015 to 2025). Total debt 3,033 + 9,896 = 12,929 (end 2025), 3,005 + 29,603 = 32,608 (30 June 2026); net debt 12,929 - 8,522 - 417 = 3,990 (end 2025), 32,608 - 5,104 - 499 = 27,005 (30 June 2026), 14,679 - 7,279 = 7,400 (end 2023), 14,125 - 7,967 = 6,158 (end 2024); 27,005 / 3,990 = 6.8 times. Remaining performance obligations 6,200 + 455 + 243 = 6,898, about $6.9 billion; Diagnostics share 6,200 / 6,898 = 90%; beyond 36 months 100% - 52% - 18% = 30%; over trailing twelve-month sales 6,898 / 46,585 = 14.8%, about 15%. Trailing twelve months to June 2026: net sales 44,328 - 21,500 + 23,757 = 46,585; net earnings 6,524 - 3,104 + 2,005 = 5,425; diluted EPS 3.72 - 1.77 + 1.14 = 3.09. Expected amortization 1.5bn (2030) / 2.6bn (2026) - 1 = -42%. Analyst target 120.26 / 100.10 - 1 = +20.1%. 2026 adjusted EPS guidance midpoints (5.55 + 5.80) / 2 = 5.675 (January), (5.38 + 5.58) / 2 = 5.48 (April), (5.45 + 5.60) / 2 = 5.525 (July). Year-end market value (stockanalysis) over net earnings and net sales: 2015 66.99bn / 4,423 = 15.15, / 20,405 = 3.283; 2016 56.55 / 1,400 = 40.39, / 20,853 = 2.712; 2017 99.34 / 477 = 208.26, / 27,390 = 3.627; 2018 127.04 / 2,368 = 53.65, / 30,578 = 4.155; 2019 153.61 / 3,687 = 41.66, / 31,904 = 4.815; 2020 194.06 / 4,495 = 43.17, / 34,608 = 5.607; 2021 248.87 / 7,071 = 35.20, / 43,075 = 5.778; 2022 191.43 / 6,933 = 27.61, / 43,653 = 4.385; 2023 191.09 / 5,723 = 33.39, / 40,109 = 4.764; 2024 196.18 / 13,402 = 14.64, / 41,950 = 4.677; 2025 217.86 / 6,524 = 33.39, / 44,328 = 4.915; 5 October 2026 173.21bn / 5,425 = 31.93, / 46,585 = 3.718 - Diagnostics, COVID testing, Exact Sciences, China and remaining performance obligations. — FY2015-Q2 2026 · publ. October 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in Abbott Laboratories Forms 10-K and 10-Q and earnings releases, the DexCom Form 10-K, and stockanalysis.com market values; each operand is stated in the source line.
Sources
Generated October 6, 2026