AbbVie Inc. reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2015. For the quarter, the company reported net sales of $6,400 million compared to $5,452 million a year ago. Operating earnings was $2,113 million compared to operating loss of $415 million a year ago. Income before income taxes were $1,924 million compared to loss of $1,037 million a year ago. Net earnings was $1,517 million or $1.13 per diluted share compared to net loss of $810 million or $0.51 per diluted share a year ago. Pre-tax adjusted earnings were $2,376 million. Adjusted earnings after tax were $1,861 million or $1.13 per diluted share.

For the year, the company reported net sales of $22,859 million compared to $19,960 million a year ago. Operating earnings were $7,537 million compared to $3,411 million a year ago. Earnings before income taxes were $6,645 million compared to $2,369 million a year ago. Net earnings were $5,144 million or $3.13 per diluted share compared to $1,774 million or $1.10 per diluted share a year ago. Pre-tax adjusted earnings were $9,040 million. Adjusted earnings after tax were $7,060 million or $4.29 per diluted share.

The company is confirming its diluted earnings-per-share guidance of $4.90 to $5.10 on an adjusted basis for the full-year 2016, representing strong double-digit growth versus 2015 and positioning AbbVie to be among the industry leaders for growth again in 2016. The company's 2016 adjusted diluted earnings-per-share guidance excludes $0.45 per share of intangible asset amortization expense and other specified items. Including these items, AbbVie's diluted earnings-per-share guidance is $4.45 to $4.65 on a GAAP basis.

For the first quarter, the company provided expects adjusted earnings per share in the quarter of $1.13 to $1.15. This guidance reflects growth of approximately 21% at the midpoint. First quarter adjusted EPS guidance excludes roughly $0.11 of noncash amortization and specified items and forecasting revenue growth in the first quarter just above 20%, excluding roughly 4% negative exchange.