Abbott reports sales growth in second quarter of 2013

Abbott has published its second-quarter financial results for 2013, a period marked by strong growth for the company.

The firm's worldwide sales total for the three-month period came to $5.4 billion (3.55 billion pounds), up by 4.2 percent year over year, while its earnings performance came in above expectations.

During the quarter, the company was able to expand its presence in emerging markets across all business segments, while launching several new products, initiating various clinical trials and agreeing strategically important acquisitions.

Its nutrition division saw the most impressive growth performance at 8.4 percent, while the diagnostics business increased its sales by 7.6 percent.

Miles White, chairman and chief executive officer at Abbott, said: "All things considered, including headwinds from foreign exchange and a mixed global economy, this was a good quarter."

This success shows Abbott is progressing well since splitting off its pharmaceuticals business to form the independent company AbbVie at the start of 2013.