Financial Review (4)

Business Combinations, Technology Acquisitions and Related Transactions

In December 2006, Abbott acquired Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. for cash of approximately $3.8 billion, net of cash held by Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc., to expand Abbott’s presence in the lipid management market and to provide several on-market and late-stage pipeline products. Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. was a specialty pharmaceutical company that developed and marketed proprietary medications for the treatment of chronic cardiovascular, metabolic and respiratory diseases. This business was acquired on December 13, 2006 and the financial results of the acquired operations are included in these financial statements beginning on that date. The acquisition was financed primarily with short-term debt. The allocation of the purchase price resulted in a charge of $1.3 billion for acquired in-process research and development, intangible assets of $821 million, goodwill (primarily non-deductible) of $1.6 billion and net liabilities, primarily deferred income taxes recorded at acquisition of $331 million. Acquired intangible assets are being amortized over 4 to 15 years. Non-deductible acquired in-process research and development was charged to income in 2006.

In order to expand Abbott’s presence in the growing vascular market, Abbott acquired Guidant’s vascular intervention and endovascular solutions businesses on April 21, 2006 for approximately $4.1 billion, in cash, in connection with Boston Scientific’s acquisition of Guidant. In addition, Abbott agreed to pay to Boston Scientific $250 million each upon government approvals to market the Xience V drug-eluting stent in the U.S. and in Japan. In 2008, the FDA approved the marketing of Xience V and Abbott paid Boston Scientific $250 million, resulting in the recording of additional goodwill. Government approval in Japan is anticipated in late 2009 or early 2010 which will also result in the recording of additional goodwill. The allocation of the purchase price resulted in a charge of $665 million for acquired in-process research and development, intangible assets of $1.2 billion, goodwill (primarily deductible) of $1.7 billion and tangible net assets of $580 million. Acquired intangible assets are being amortized over 4 to 15 years. Deductible acquired in-process research and development was charged to income in 2006. The net tangible assets acquired consist primarily of property and equipment of approximately $530 million, trade accounts receivable of approximately $250 million and inventories of approximately $120 million, net of assumed liabilities, primarily trade accounts payable, litigation reserves and other liabilities.

Had the above acquisitions taken place on January 1 of the previous year, consolidated net sales and income would not have been significantly different from reported amounts.

In order to facilitate Boston Scientific’s acquisition of Guidant, Abbott also acquired 64.6 million shares of Boston Scientific common stock directly from Boston Scientific and loaned $900 million to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Boston Scientific. The common stock was valued at $1.3 billion and the note receivable was valued at $829 million at the acquisition date. In connection with the acquisition of the shares, Boston Scientific was entitled to certain after-tax gains upon Abbott’s sale of the shares. In addition, Boston Scientific agreed to reimburse Abbott for certain borrowing costs on debt incurred to acquire the Boston Scientific shares. Abbott recorded a net derivative financial instruments liability of $59 million for the gain-sharing derivative financial instrument liability and the interest derivative financial instrument asset. The effect of recording the shares, the loan to Boston Scientific and the derivative financial instruments at fair value on the date of acquisition resulted in the recording of additional goodwill of approximately $204 million. Changes in the fair value of the derivative financial instruments, net were recorded in Other (income) expense, net.

Subsequent Event - Business Combination

In January 2009, Abbott announced an agreement to acquire Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. (AMO), a marketer of ophthalmic surgical technology and devices, as well as eye care solutions, for approximately $2.8 billion, in cash and debt, to take advantage of increasing demand for vision care technologies due to population growth and demographic shifts. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2009. AMO’s sales are more than $1 billion per year.

Financial Condition

Cash Flow

Net cash from operating activities of continuing operations amounted to $7.0 billion, $5.2 billion and $5.3 billion in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Cash from operating activities of continuing operations in 2008 compared to 2007 is higher due to higher operating earnings, decreased prepaid expenses and other assets, and increased trade accounts payable and other liabilities. Cash from operating activities of continuing operations in 2007 and 2006 compared to 2005 is higher due to higher net earnings adjusted for after-tax non-cash charges for acquired in-process research and development in 2006 and share-based compensation and higher contributions to retirement benefit plans in 2005 compared to 2007 and 2006; partially offset by higher income tax payments in 2006, including tax payments related to the 2005 remittances of foreign earnings under the American Jobs Creation Act. Abbott funds its domestic pension plans according to IRS funding limitations. In 2008, 2007 and 2006, $200 million was funded to the main domestic pension. Abbott expects pension funding for its main domestic pension plan of $700 million in 2009 and $200 million annually, thereafter. Abbott expects annual cash flow from operating activities to continue to exceed Abbott’s capital expenditures and cash dividends.

Debt and Capital

At December 31, 2008, Abbott’s long-term debt rating was AA by Standard & Poor’s Corporation and A1 by Moody’s Investors Service. Abbott has readily available financial resources, including unused lines of credit of $5.3 billion that support commercial paper borrowing arrangements of which a $2.3 billion facility expires in December 2009 and a $3.0 billion facility expires in 2012. Abbott’s access to short-term financing has not been affected by the recent credit market conditions.

In 2006, the board of directors authorized the purchase of $2.5 billion of Abbott’s common shares from time to time and no shares were purchased under this authorization in 2006. In 2008 and 2007, Abbott purchased approximately 19.0 million of its common shares in each period at a cost of approximately $1.1 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively under this authorization. Effective in the fourth quarter of 2008, no more purchases of common shares will be made from the 2006 authorization. In October 2008, the board of directors authorized the purchase of up to $5 billion of Abbott’s common shares from time to time and 146,400 shares were purchased under this authorization in 2008 at a cost of approximately $8 million.

Under a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in February 2006, Abbott issued $3.5 billion of long-term debt in 2007 that matures in 2012 through 2037 with interest rates ranging from 5.15 percent to 6.15 percent. Proceeds from this debt were used to pay down short-term borrowings that were incurred to partially fund the acquisition of Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. Under the same registration statement, Abbott issued $4.0 billion of long-term debt in 2006 that matures in 2009 through 2016 with interest rates ranging from 5.375 percent to 5.875 percent. Proceeds from this debt were used to pay down domestic commercial paper borrowings that were incurred to partially fund the acquisition of Guidant’s vascular intervention and endovascular solutions businesses.

In 2009, the acquisition of Advanced Medical Optics, Inc., the funding of Abbott’s main domestic pension plan and the payment of long-term debt will be financed with operating cash flow and debt.

Working Capital

Working capital was $5.5 billion at December 31, 2008 and $4.9 billion at December 31, 2007. At December 31, 2006, current liabilities exceeded current assets by approximately $669 million as a result of increased short-term borrowings used to acquire Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. in December 2006.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures of $1.3 billion in 2008, $1.7 billion in 2007 and $1.3 billion in 2006 were principally for upgrading and expanding manufacturing, research and development, investments in information technology and administrative support facilities in all segments, and for laboratory instruments placed with customers.

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes Abbott’s estimated contractual obligations as of December 31, 2008:

(dollars in millions)	Payment Due By Period
	Total	2009	2010-2011	2012-2013	2014 and Thereafter
Long-term debt, including current maturities and future interest payments	$13,512	$1,467	$2,989	$1,896	$7,160
Operating lease obligations	416	74	122	88	132
Capitalized auto lease obligations	93	31	62	—	—
Purchase commitments (a)	4,627	4,328	258	32	9
Other long-term liabilities reflected on the consolidated balance sheet —
Benefit plan obligations	3,048	—	714	777	1,557
Other	1,524	—	1,065	198	261
Total	$23,220	$5,900	$5,210	$2,991	$9,119

(a) Purchase commitments are for purchases made in the normal course of business to meet operational and capital expenditure requirements.

Contingent Obligations

Abbott has periodically entered into agreements in the ordinary course of business, such as assignment of product rights, with other companies which has resulted in Abbott becoming secondarily liable for obligations that Abbott was previously primarily liable. Since Abbott no longer maintains a business relationship with the other parties, Abbott is unable to develop an estimate of the maximum potential amount of future payments, if any, under these obligations. Based upon past experience, the likelihood of payments under these agreements is remote. In addition, Abbott periodically acquires a business or product rights in which Abbott agrees to pay contingent consideration based on attaining certain thresholds or based on the occurrence of certain events. In connection with the acquisition of Guidant’s vascular intervention and endovascular solutions businesses, Abbott will pay to Boston Scientific $250 million upon government approval to market the Xience V drug-eluting stent in Japan. Government approval is anticipated in late 2009 or early 2010. In addition, Abbott has retained liabilities for taxes on income prior to the spin-off of Hospira and certain potential liabilities, if any, related to alleged improper pricing practices in connection with federal, state and private reimbursement for certain drugs.