AbbVie updates 2026 EPS guidance after Q3 acquired IPR&D charge

AbbVie filed an 8-K on October 5, 2026 updating its financial guidance to reflect a third-quarter charge tied to acquired in-process research and development and milestones activity. Reported GAAP earnings and adjusted non-GAAP earnings for the third quarter of 2026 are expected to include acquired IPR&D and milestones expense of $216 million on a pre-tax basis, representing an unfavorable impact of $0.11 to both GAAP diluted earnings per share and adjusted non-GAAP diluted earnings per share.¹

The company cautioned that results for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 have not been finalized and are subject to financial statement closing procedures, and there can be no assurance that final results will not differ from these preliminary estimates.¹

AbbVie does not include forecasts for this type of expense in its outlook because of its unpredictable nature. While acquired IPR&D and milestones expense may be incurred upon execution of collaborations, licensing agreements, and other asset acquisitions, AbbVie does not forecast acquired IPR&D and milestones expense due to uncertainty of the future occurrence and timing of these transactions.¹ Adjusted diluted earnings per share guidance for 2026 previously announced on July 31, 2026 excluded the impact of acquired IPR&D and milestones expense that may be incurred beyond the second quarter of 2026.¹

With the Q3 charge now factored in, AbbVie's full-year 2026 adjusted diluted earnings per share guidance range, including the impact of third-quarter 2026 acquired IPR&D and milestones expense, is $13.76 to $13.96, and its third-quarter 2026 adjusted diluted earnings per share guidance range on the same basis is $3.73 to $3.77.¹

AbbVie noted that its 2026 guidance still excludes any acquired IPR&D and milestones expense that may arise after the third quarter, as such costs and timing cannot be reliably forecasted.