Why did ABT's earnings fluctuate in 2024?

Abbott Laboratories' earnings experienced significant fluctuations in 2024 due to several factors:

1. **Impact of COVID-19 Testing**: Abbott's earnings were affected by the decline in COVID-19 testing-related sales, which had a significant impact in 2023. However, this impact was less prominent in 2024.
2. **Organic Sales Growth**: Despite the decline in COVID-19 testing sales, Abbott's organic sales grew robustly, driven by strong performance in its Medical Devices segment, particularly in Diabetes Care and other areas. This growth was supported by innovative products and strategic partnerships, such as the integration of continuous glucose monitoring with insulin delivery systems.
3. **Pharmaceuticals Business Weakness**: Despite the strong performance in Medical Devices, the Pharmaceuticals business faced challenges, which negatively impacted overall earnings. This weakness was offset by the growth in Medical Devices.
4. **Geographical Variations**: There were regional variations in performance, with the United States being a weak spot, but International sales showed a positive growth.

In summary, Abbott's earnings fluctuated due to the impact of COVID-19 testing, organic sales growth, Pharmaceuticals business weakness, and geographical variations.