Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) reported earnings on Jan. 23. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Abbott Laboratories beat expectations on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue increased and GAAP earnings per share dropped significantly.

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
 Abbott Laboratories logged revenue of $10.84 billion. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted net sales of $10.61 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 4.4% higher than the prior-year quarter's $10.38 billion.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
 EPS came in at $1.51. The nine earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.50 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.66 for Q4 were 35% lower than the prior-year quarter's $1.02 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
 For the quarter, gross margin was 62.5%, 50 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 22.5%, 70 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.7%, 590 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $5.55 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.46.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $22.97 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.95.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 2,546 members out of 2,636 rating the stock outperform, and 90 members rating it underperform. Among 661 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 642 give Abbott Laboratories a green thumbs-up, and 19 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Abbott Laboratories is hold, with an average price target of $71.03.

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