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Abbott Laboratories (ABT)
NYSE:ABT

Abbott Laboratories (ABT) AI Stock Analysis

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ABT

Abbott Laboratories

(NYSE:ABT)

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Neutral 65 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:65Neutral
Price Target:
$123.00
▲(7.18% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/27/26
The score is driven primarily by solid financial performance (notably strong free cash flow) and a constructive earnings outlook with margin expansion and strong Devices/CGM momentum. Offsetting factors include weaker technical positioning versus longer-term moving averages, a premium valuation, and elevated uncertainty from earnings volatility and incomplete 2025 balance sheet data.
Positive Factors
Free cash flow generation
Consistent and improving free cash flow provides durable funding for R&D, capital expenditure, dividends and buybacks. Strong FCF supports reinvestment into high-growth diagnostics and devices and cushions the company against cyclical revenue swings, enhancing long-term financial flexibility.
Scale and recurring revenue in Devices/CGM
Large installed base and recurring consumable demand from CGM and procedural devices create durable, high-frequency revenue streams. Scale drives margins and R&D leverage, supporting sustained mid-single-digit to low-double-digit organic growth and predictable cash flows over multiple years.
Pipeline, regulatory wins and strategic M&A
Regulatory approvals, clinical milestones and the Exact Sciences acquisition materially expand addressable markets and diversify revenue into a higher-growth diagnostics vertical. This strengthens long-term growth optionality and creates cross-sell and scale synergies across Abbott's diagnostics and devices franchises.
Negative Factors
Nutrition volume and contract loss
Structural weakness in Nutrition—driven by contract loss and price-sensitive consumer demand—can reduce a historically stable revenue stream and compress margins. Recovery requires regaining volume through promotions, innovation, and contract wins, which can be slow and margin dilutive in the near to medium term.
China procurement (VBP) pressure in Diagnostics
Structural procurement reforms and VBP in China can permanently lower pricing and volumes for diagnostics. Given China’s scale in testing, sustained VBP pressure creates multi-year uncertainty for growth and margins in Core Lab and POC businesses unless Abbott adapts product mix or achieves offsetting volume gains elsewhere.
Large debt raise and balance sheet data gaps
A $20B notes issuance materially increases near-term leverage tied to a transformational acquisition. Coupled with incomplete 2025 balance sheet reporting (equity/assets shown as 0), there is elevated uncertainty around post‑deal leverage, interest burden, and capital flexibility, which could constrain strategic options.

Abbott Laboratories (ABT) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Abbott Laboratories Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionAbbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The Established Pharmaceutical Products segment provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Ménière's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon. The Diagnostic Products segment offers laboratory systems in the areas of immunoassay, clinical chemistry, hematology, and transfusion; molecular diagnostics systems that automate the extraction, purification, and preparation of DNA and RNA from patient samples, as well as detect and measure infectious agents; point of care systems; cartridges for testing blood; rapid diagnostics lateral flow testing products; molecular point-of-care testing for HIV, SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B, RSV, and strep A; cardiometabolic test systems; drug and alcohol test, and remote patient monitoring and consumer self-test systems; and informatics and automation solutions for use in laboratories. The Nutritional Products segment provides pediatric and adult nutritional products. The Medical Devices segment offers rhythm management, electrophysiology, heart failure, vascular, and structural heart devices for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases; and diabetes care products, as well as neuromodulation devices for the management of chronic pain and movement disorders. Abbott Laboratories was founded in 1888 and is based in North Chicago, Illinois.
How the Company Makes MoneyAbbott Laboratories generates revenue through multiple key streams. The Diagnostics segment, which includes a range of laboratory instruments and tests, contributes significantly to the company's earnings by providing essential tools for disease detection and management. The Medical Devices sector offers advanced products such as cardiac devices and diabetes management solutions, driving revenue through both direct sales and partnerships with healthcare providers. The Nutrition segment, which includes infant formulas and adult nutritional products, also plays a crucial role in revenue generation, particularly in emerging markets. Additionally, Abbott's Pharmaceuticals division markets a portfolio of branded drugs, providing a steady income stream. Strategic partnerships with healthcare organizations and investments in research and development further enhance Abbott's ability to innovate and capture market share, thus contributing to its overall financial success.

Abbott Laboratories Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Revenue by Geography
Revenue by Geography
Breaks down revenue across different regions, revealing where the company is strongest and where it may face risk or growth potential due to local economic conditions or market share shifts.
Chart InsightsAbbott Laboratories is experiencing robust growth in international markets, with recent quarters showing a strong upward trend. This aligns with the earnings call, highlighting significant growth in medical devices and established pharmaceuticals, particularly outside China. Despite challenges in the Chinese diagnostics market and U.S. pediatric nutrition, international sales are bolstered by new product launches and market expansion. The company's strategic focus on innovation and global market penetration is driving this momentum, positioning Abbott for sustained growth in the coming quarters.
Data provided by:The Fly

Abbott Laboratories Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jan 22, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 22, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call balanced clear operational and pipeline strengths (double-digit EPS growth, margin expansion, robust device and CGM growth, multiple regulatory approvals, and strategic M&A to enter cancer diagnostics) against notable near-term headwinds concentrated in Nutrition and continued China/VBP and COVID testing impacts in Diagnostics. Management provided constructive 2026 guidance (midpoint ~7% organic sales, ~10% EPS growth) and detailed remediation actions for nutrition (price/promotions, innovation launches), indicating confidence in returning to growth. Overall, the positives — including strong device and CGM performance, margin expansion, productive pipeline milestones, and the Exact Sciences acquisition — materially outweigh the near-term lowlights.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Adjusted EPS Growth and Margin Expansion
Adjusted EPS for Q4 was $1.50, up 12% year-over-year. For fiscal 2026 the company guided adjusted EPS to $5.55–$5.80 (midpoint reflecting ~10% growth). Adjusted gross margin was 57.1% of sales (up ~20 basis points year-over-year) and adjusted operating margin was 25.8% of sales (up ~150 basis points year-over-year).
Top-Line Momentum and 2026 Sales Guidance
Organic sales growth guidance for 2026 is 6.5%–7.5% (midpoint ~7%). Q4 organic sales (excluding COVID testing) increased 3.8% year-over-year. Company expects favorable FX impact of ~1% on full-year reported sales (approximately 3% favorable in Q1).
Medical Devices and EPD Strength
Medical Devices sales grew 10.5% in the quarter. Established businesses showing strong growth: EPD (emerging markets/pharma) sales increased 7% in the quarter and delivered its fifth consecutive year >7% growth; Rhythm Management grew 12% in the quarter and 10% for the year; Vascular grew 6.5% in Q4 (5% for full year).
Diabetes/CGM Growth and Scale
Continuous glucose monitor (CGM) sales grew 12% in Q4 and 17% for the full year, with 2025 CGM sales exceeding $7.5 billion. Management highlighted ~+$1 billion annual incremental growth in CGM for multiple consecutive years and expects continued low‑teens percentage growth next year (driven by penetration and new product opportunities).
Diagnostics Momentum (Core Lab & Point-of-Care)
Diagnostics sales increased 3.5% in the quarter (driven by anticipated decline in COVID testing). Core Lab Diagnostics grew 3.5% in the quarter and grew 7% for the full year when excluding China, showing accelerating momentum. Point-of-care diagnostics grew 7% in the quarter (driven by uptake of high-sensitivity troponin).
Product and Pipeline Milestones
Multiple regulatory and clinical milestones in 2025 and early 2026: approvals/launches for Volt and Tactiflex Duo PFA products, new indication for Navitor TAVR, CMS national coverage for Triclip and CardioMEMS, completed enrollment in pivotal LAA trial (CATALYST), filed for FDA approval of dual glucose‑ketone sensor, initiated pivotal coronary IVL trial, and planned launches of biosimilars and nutrition innovations (including at least eight new nutrition products in next 12 months).
Strategic M&A to Add High-Growth Vertical
Announced acquisition of Exact Sciences to enter cancer diagnostics — management expects this to add a ~$3B+ business growing at an attractive rate (~15% cited) and to create a new high-growth vertical for Abbott.
Execution Despite External Headwinds
Management emphasized achievement of original target of double-digit EPS growth for 2025 and top-tier margin expansion despite new tariffs, COVID testing declines and heightened challenges in China, demonstrating operational discipline and cost/margin management.
Negative Updates
Nutrition Sales Decline and Volume Weakness
Nutrition sales declined in the quarter. Management attributed weakness to market share loss in U.S. pediatric (including loss of a large WIC contract) and constrained volume growth following multi-year price increases aimed at offsetting higher manufacturing/commodity costs. The company expects nutrition performance to remain challenged in the first half of 2026 with a return to growth in the second half.
Price Increases Suppressing Consumer Demand
Higher manufacturing costs led to price increases which management said are suppressing demand and constraining volume growth in the nutrition segment; company initiated price and promotion actions in Q4 to reignite volume, acknowledging near-term trade-offs to restore longer-term volume-driven growth.
China and VBP Headwinds in Diagnostics
Management highlighted ongoing market challenges in China driven by procurement/VBP (volume-based procurement) programs that weighed on diagnostics results in prior periods. While Core Lab growth is accelerating outside China, China-related headwinds contributed materially to prior-year diagnostic pressures and remain a source of uncertainty.
COVID Testing Revenue Decline
Year-over-year decline in COVID testing continued to be a headwind for diagnostics; management referenced COVID testing contribution as smaller in 2025 and forecast COVID testing revenue in 2026 to be roughly ~$200 million, representing a continued drag versus peak pandemic levels.
Modest Reduction vs. Prior Consensus on 2026 Top Line
Management guided 2026 organic sales midpoint (~7%) modestly below prior consensus referenced (~7.5%), with the company attributing the downward shift largely to the near-term outlook for nutrition.
Company Guidance
Abbott guided 2026 adjusted EPS of $5.55–$5.80 (midpoint ≈ +10% year-over-year) and full‑year organic sales growth of 6.5%–7.5% (midpoint 7%), with first‑quarter adjusted EPS of $1.12–$1.18; they expect a favorable FX tailwind of ~1% on full‑year reported sales (≈+3% in Q1) and forecast an adjusted tax rate of 15%–16%. For context, Q4 adjusted EPS was $1.50 (+12%), adjusted gross margin was 57.1% of sales (up 20 bps), adjusted operating margin 25.8% (up 150 bps), with adjusted R&D at 6.2% and adjusted SG&A at 25.1% of sales; management also noted an expected COVID testing headwind of roughly $200M and that non‑GAAP forward guidance is not reconciled to GAAP.

Abbott Laboratories Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Strong and improving free cash flow supports reinvestment and shareholder returns, and revenue has returned to growth after a 2023 dip. However, net income volatility (notably the 2024-to-2025 swing) reduces earnings consistency, and incomplete 2025 balance sheet data materially increases uncertainty around current leverage/capital strength.
Income Statement
74
Positive
Revenue has grown steadily over the last two years (2024 and 2025) after a decline in 2023, indicating a return to a healthier top-line trajectory. Profitability is solid for the industry with gross margin improving in 2025, but net income is volatile (very strong in 2024, then materially lower in 2025), which reduces confidence in earnings quality and consistency. Operating margins remain respectable, though slightly below the 2021–2022 peak levels.
Balance Sheet
48
Neutral
Leverage looks manageable in 2020–2024 with debt-to-equity improving meaningfully versus 2020, supporting balance sheet flexibility. However, the 2025 balance sheet data shows stockholders’ equity and total assets as 0 (and therefore debt-to-equity and return on equity as 0), which appears incomplete and prevents a reliable current-year assessment. Based on the available prior-year trend, the balance sheet is acceptable, but data gaps materially increase uncertainty.
Cash Flow
77
Positive
Cash generation is a clear strength: operating cash flow has been consistently strong across the period and free cash flow rebounded in 2024 and surged in 2025. Free cash flow as a share of net income is healthy in most years and is particularly strong in 2025 (free cash flow matching reported net income), supporting dividend/buyback capacity and reinvestment. A watch item is that operating cash flow has not fully covered EBIT in recent years (coverage ~0.52–0.80), suggesting some working-capital or cash conversion friction despite strong overall free cash flow.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue44.33B41.95B40.11B43.65B43.08B
Gross Profit24.61B21.32B20.04B22.32B23.21B
EBITDA11.55B10.83B10.61B11.89B12.16B
Net Income6.52B13.40B5.72B6.93B7.07B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets86.71B81.41B73.21B74.44B75.20B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments8.94B7.97B7.28B10.17B10.25B
Total Debt15.07B15.28B15.87B17.95B19.25B
Total Liabilities33.94B33.51B34.39B37.53B39.17B
Stockholders Equity52.13B47.66B38.60B36.69B35.80B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow7.39B6.35B5.06B7.80B8.65B
Operating Cash Flow9.57B8.56B7.26B9.58B10.53B
Investing Cash Flow-2.42B-2.34B-3.13B-1.74B-2.01B
Financing Cash Flow-6.31B-5.40B-7.09B-7.64B-5.49B

Abbott Laboratories Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price114.76
Price Trends
50DMA
117.89
Negative
100DMA
122.44
Negative
200DMA
126.52
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.69
Negative
RSI
52.65
Neutral
STOCH
84.88
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For ABT, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 114.76 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 111.18, below the 50-day MA of 117.89, and below the 200-day MA of 126.52, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.69 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 52.65 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 84.88 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for ABT.

Abbott Laboratories Risk Analysis

Abbott Laboratories disclosed 20 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Abbott Laboratories reported the most risks in the "Legal & Regulatory" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Abbott Laboratories Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (51)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
77
Outperform
$28.13B34.9634.50%14.21%5.66%
75
Outperform
$47.82B45.020.19%65.58%
72
Outperform
$145.93B45.4115.08%0.95%10.95%-18.32%
71
Outperform
$124.03B27.019.38%2.76%5.34%13.15%
68
Neutral
$111.51B37.8912.60%21.62%54.80%
65
Neutral
$199.10B30.8113.03%1.88%6.37%142.39%
51
Neutral
$7.86B-0.30-43.30%2.27%22.53%-2.21%
* Healthcare Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
ABT
Abbott Laboratories
116.26
-17.11
-12.83%
BSX
Boston Scientific
75.75
-25.05
-24.85%
DXCM
Dexcom
74.38
-13.43
-15.29%
EW
Edwards Lifesciences
85.90
14.50
20.31%
MDT
Medtronic
97.03
9.07
10.31%
SYK
Stryker
386.06
-0.24
-0.06%

Abbott Laboratories Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyM&A TransactionsPrivate Placements and FinancingRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Abbott Laboratories Prices $20 Billion Senior Notes Offering
Positive
Feb 26, 2026

On February 23, 2026, Abbott Laboratories entered into a pricing agreement with a syndicate of major investment banks to issue $20 billion in senior notes across multiple floating- and fixed-rate tranches maturing between 2029 and 2066. The sale of the notes, offered under an effective shelf registration and detailed in a prospectus supplement filed with the SEC, is expected to close on March 9, 2026, subject to customary conditions.

Abbott plans to use the net proceeds from this large-scale debt issuance, together with cash on hand and potential additional borrowings, to fund the purchase price for its acquisition of Exact Sciences, refinance certain Exact Sciences debt, pay related fees and expenses, and for general corporate purposes. The transaction underscores Abbott’s willingness to leverage the debt markets to finance strategic expansion in diagnostics and related healthcare offerings, with implications for its capital structure and future balance sheet flexibility.

The most recent analyst rating on (ABT) stock is a Buy with a $124.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Abbott Laboratories stock, see the ABT Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Abbott Laboratories Streamlines Governance With Smaller Board
Neutral
Feb 20, 2026

On February 20, 2026, Abbott Laboratories’ board of directors approved an amendment to the company’s by-laws to reduce the size of the board from thirteen to twelve members, effective April 24, 2026. The change signals a streamlined governance structure that may affect board dynamics and decision-making, though Abbott has not disclosed specific implications for leadership roles or strategic direction.

This adjustment to board composition comes as governance practices across the healthcare and broader corporate sectors increasingly emphasize board efficiency and alignment with strategic priorities. Investors and other stakeholders will likely monitor how the smaller board influences oversight, succession planning, and the company’s ability to respond to industry and regulatory developments.

The most recent analyst rating on (ABT) stock is a Buy with a $140.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Abbott Laboratories stock, see the ABT Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Abbott Laboratories Expands Board with New Appointment
Neutral
Dec 12, 2025

On December 12, 2025, Abbott Laboratories announced the appointment of Nita Ahuja, M.D., to its Board of Directors, expanding the board from twelve to thirteen members. This strategic move is part of Abbott’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its leadership and enhance its governance structure, potentially impacting its operational strategies and stakeholder engagement.

The most recent analyst rating on (ABT) stock is a Buy with a $155.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Abbott Laboratories stock, see the ABT Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Feb 27, 2026