Business Context and Reporting Period
Company: Abbott Laboratories (ABT)
Filing Type: Form 8-K (Current Report)
Date of Report: November 18, 2025
Subject: Temporary Suspension of Trading Under Registrant's Employee Benefit Plans (Item 5.04)
Key Financial Metrics
This filing does not contain financial performance data. No revenue, profit, cash flow, margin, debt, or liquidity metrics are reported in this document.
Material Changes
The filing announces a temporary suspension of trading (Blackout Period) for the Abbott Laboratories Stock Retirement Plan (U.S. Plan) and the Abbott Laboratories Stock Retirement Plan (Puerto Rico). This change is driven by administrative updates, including:
- Changing the recordkeeper.
- Changing the trustee for certain funds of the U.S. Plan.
- Changing the custodian of certain funds of the P.R. Plan.
Guidance, Outlook, and Restrictions
Blackout Period Timeline:
Expected Start: December 24, 2025, at 12 p.m. CST
Expected End: During the week of January 11, 2026
Trading Restrictions:
During the Blackout Period, participants cannot:
- Change contribution rates.
- Direct or diversify investments (including Abbott common shares).
- Obtain Plan loans, withdrawals, or distributions.
Executive Trading:
Directors and executive officers were notified on November 21, 2025, regarding restrictions on trading Abbott common shares during this period pursuant to Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Rule 104 of Regulation BTR.
Investor Verification Checklist
- Verify the actual start and end dates of the Blackout Period, as the current dates are estimates.
- Confirm the specific funds affected by the trustee and custodian changes.
- Review the attached Notice (Exhibit 99.1) for detailed restrictions applicable to directors and executive officers.
- Monitor future communications for updates on the administrative changes to the recordkeeper.