Abbot’s global sales rise 17.4%

ABBOTT Laboratories reported stronger than expected quarterly sales, helped by growth of its Humira arthritis drug and sales of low-cost generics in emerging markets.

This news follows Johnson & Johnson reporting strong first-quarter results that slightly exceeded expectations.

Abbott earned $864 million (€595m), or 55 cents per share, in the first quarter, compared with $1 billion, or 64 cents per share, a year earlier.