Abbott Declares 344th Consecutive Quarterly Dividend

ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Dec. 11  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The board of directors of Abbott (NYSE:ABT) today declared a quarterly common dividend of 40 cents per share.

This marks the 344th consecutive quarterly dividend to be paid by Abbott since 1924.  The cash dividend is payable Feb. 15, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Jan. 15, 2010.

Abbott has increased its dividend payout for 37 consecutive years - including an 11 percent increase earlier this year - and was named a top dividend stock in Fortune and The Wall Street Journal.  Additionally, Abbott is a member of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index, which tracks companies that have annually increased their dividend for 25 consecutive years.

About Abbott

Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics.  The company employs more than 72,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.

Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's Web site at http://www.abbott.com/. 

DATASOURCE: Abbott



CONTACT:  Media, Adelle Infante, [phone], or Financial, Larry

Peepo, [phone], both of Abbott



Web Site:  http://www.abbott.com/ 

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