Abbott Laboratories announced unaudited consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011. For the quarter, the company reported operating earnings of $2,082 million and earnings before taxes of $1,954 million, net earnings of $1,619 million or $1.02 per diluted share and net earnings excluding special items of $2,295 million $1.45 per diluted share on net sales of $10,377 million against operating earnings of $1,830 million and earnings before taxes of $1,768 million, net earnings of $1,441 million or $0.92 per diluted share and net earnings excluding special items of $2,025 million $1.30 per diluted share on net sales of $9,968 million for the same period of last year. For the year, the company reported operating earnings of $5,752 million and earnings before taxes of $5,199 million, net earnings of $4,729 million or $3.01 per diluted share and net earnings excluding special items of $7,331 million $4.66 per diluted share on net sales of $38,851 million against operating earnings of $6,088 million and earnings before taxes of $5,713 million, net earnings of $4,626 million or $2.96 per diluted share and net earnings excluding special items of $6,501 million $4.17 per diluted share on net sales of $35,167 million for the same period of last year. The company generated operating cash flow of more than $9 billion in 2011. The company announced earnings-per-share guidance for the full-year 2012 of $4.95 to $5.05, reflecting another year of strong performance. The company forecasts specified items for the full-year 2012 of approximately $0.35 per share, primarily associated with acquisition integration and cost reduction initiatives. This forecast of specified items excludes one-time costs related to the planned separation of Abbott into two companies, which will be quantified at a later date. Including these specified items, projected earnings per share under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) would be $4.60 to $4.70 for the full-year 2012. Operational sales growth in 2012 is expected to be in the mid-single-digits. The company forecasting continued improvement in adjusted full year gross margin ratio, which is expected to approach 62% for the full year. The company forecasting continuing strong investments to drive long-term growth in 2012 and after the separation for both companies with R&D of 9.5% to 10% of sales and SG&A of somewhat under 28% of sales. Overall, the company expect to expand operating margin ratio by around 100 basis points in 2012. The company forecasting net interest expense of around $450 million in 2012. The company expects a rate of 14.5% to 15%. The company provided earnings guidance for the first quarter of 2012. The company operational sales growth in the first quarter is expected to be in the mid-single-digit. The company forecasting an adjusted gross margin ratio approaching 61% in the first quarter, up over the first quarter of 2011.