Abbott Laboratories provided earnings guidance for the first quarter and full year 2019. The company is issuing first-quarter 2019 guidance for diluted earnings per share from continuing operations under GAAP of $0.25 to $0.27. The company forecasts specified items for the first quarter 2019 of $0.35 per share primarily related to intangible amortization, acquisition-related expenses, cost reduction initiatives and other expenses. Excluding specified items, projected adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations would be $0.60 to $0.62 for the first quarter. The company is issuing full-year 2019 guidance for organic sales growth of 6.5% to 7.5%, which excludes the impact of foreign exchange, and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) of $1.80 to $1.90. Abbott forecasts net specified items for the full year 2019 of $1.35 per share. Specified items include intangible amortization expense, acquisition-related expenses, charges associated with cost reduction initiatives and other expenses. Excluding specified items, projected adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations would be $3.15 to $3.25 for the full year 2019.