Abbott Declares 350th Consecutive Quarterly Dividend

ABBOTT PARK, Illinois, June 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- Abbott's record of consecutive dividends and annual increases is equaled by only four companies listed on the S&P 500 Index

The board of directors of Abbott (NYSE: ABT) today declared a quarterly common dividend of 48 cents per share. This marks the company's 350th consecutive quarterly dividend to be paid since 1924.

In February, Abbott increased its dividend payout for the 39th consecutive year. Only 1 percent of companies listed on the S&P 500 Index have achieved this level of consecutive annual increases and payments.

The cash dividend is payable Aug. 15, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 15, 2011.

Abbott is also a member of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index (http://www.standardandpoors.com/indices/sp-500-dividend-aristocrats/en/us/?indexId=spusa-500dusdff--p-us----) , 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 nearly 90,000 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 www.abbott.com.