Abbott Laboratories: A Steady Growth Healthcare Giant
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 23 2026
0mins
Should l Buy ABT?
Source: Fool
- Consistent Revenue Growth: Abbott Laboratories reported a 5.7% year-over-year increase in sales for 2025, reaching $44.3 billion, demonstrating strong performance across pharmaceuticals, nutrition, and medical devices, which enhances investor confidence in its long-term growth prospects.
- Innovative Medical Devices: Abbott's FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring system has become the best-selling medical device of all time, and as global demand for diabetes management rises, the widespread adoption of this technology is expected to significantly boost the company's market share.
- Expansion in Cancer Diagnostics: The company is expanding its footprint in the cancer diagnostics market through acquisitions, which is anticipated to further drive revenue growth by leveraging the long-term growth potential in this sector and enhancing its competitive position.
- Dividend Return Advantage: As a Dividend King with 54 consecutive years of dividend increases, Abbott offers investors the opportunity for long-term wealth growth through reinvested dividends, providing reliable returns despite the stock not promising quick riches in the short term.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy ABT?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on ABT
Wall Street analysts forecast ABT stock price to rise
19 Analyst Rating
17 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 114.120
Low
136.00
Averages
148.11
High
169.00
Current: 114.120
Low
136.00
Averages
148.11
High
169.00
About ABT
Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare company. The Company’s principal business is the discovery, development, manufacture, and sale of a broad and diversified line of healthcare products. Its segments include Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. Established Pharmaceutical Products segment is engaged in the international sales of a broad line of branded generic pharmaceutical products. Diagnostic Products segment is involved in the worldwide sales of diagnostic systems and tests for blood banks, hospitals, commercial laboratories and alternate-care testing sites. Nutritional Products segment is engaged in the worldwide sales of a broad line of adult and pediatric nutritional products. Medical Devices segment is involved in the worldwide sales of rhythm management, electrophysiology, heart failure, vascular, structural heart, neuromodulation and diabetes care products. It serves people in more than 160 countries.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Dividend Stocks Surge Amid Market Volatility, Outperforming S&P 500
- Dividend Stocks Performance: In 2026, dividend aristocrats are outperforming the broader market, with the ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF up 10% year-to-date compared to less than 1% for the S&P 500, reflecting investors' preference for stable income amid market volatility.
- Coca-Cola Dividend Increase: Coca-Cola announced a 4% increase in its quarterly dividend to 53 cents per share in February, marking its 64th consecutive year of dividend growth, and returned $8.8 billion to shareholders last year, demonstrating strong cash flow and market stability.
- NextEra Energy's Growth Plans: NextEra Energy raised its quarterly dividend by 10% to about 62 cents per share and plans for 10% annual dividend growth through 2026, with ambitions to add 30 gigawatts of new generation capacity by 2035, showcasing its commitment to renewable energy.
- Abbott Laboratories' Sustained Growth: Abbott announced a 6.8% dividend increase to 63 cents per share in December, achieving 54 consecutive years of growth, and despite missing fourth-quarter revenue expectations, its dividend growth of over 70% reflects strong profitability and market confidence.
See More
Following Grail's Study Setback, What Remains for Cancer Blood Screening?
- Stock Performance: Grail's stock experienced a significant decline, losing half of its value last Friday.
- Market Reaction: The drastic drop in stock price indicates a negative market reaction, potentially affecting investor confidence.
See More
VivaVision Races for Hong Kong IPO to Sustain Cash Flow
- Clinical Trial Progress: VivaVision's two drugs have reached Phase Three clinical trials, with one receiving regulatory fast track designation as a breakthrough therapy for eye inflammation, indicating its potential in the ophthalmic treatment sector.
- Increasing Financial Pressure: As of September 2025, the company had only 35.77 million yuan ($5.2 million) in cash, while net losses for the first three quarters of 2025 reached 131 million yuan, averaging about 43.33 million yuan per quarter, compelling the company to list quickly to replenish its funds.
- Funding History: Over its funding rounds, VivaVision has raised approximately 735 million yuan, with its valuation soaring from 17 million yuan to nearly 1.83 billion yuan, reflecting investor confidence in its long-term potential for innovative eye care solutions.
- Intense Market Competition: Despite advancements in eye inflammation treatment, the dry eye therapy market is highly competitive, with five innovative drugs already approved in China and another ten candidates at Phase Two or beyond, posing significant commercialization challenges.
See More
IWB Stock 52-Week High-Low Analysis
- Price Range Analysis: IWB's stock has a 52-week low of $264.17 and a high of $382.34, with the latest trade at $376.14, indicating stability near its high point, which may attract investor interest.
- Technical Analysis Tool: Comparing the current stock price to the 200-day moving average can provide valuable insights for investors, helping to assess market trends and potential buying opportunities.
- ETF Trading Mechanism: Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) trade like stocks, where investors buy and sell 'units' that can be created or destroyed based on demand, impacting liquidity and market performance.
- Inflows and Outflows Monitoring: Weekly monitoring of changes in ETF shares outstanding helps identify those experiencing significant inflows or outflows, allowing investors to evaluate the impact on underlying assets and make informed investment decisions.
See More
Abbott Laboratories' $23 Billion Acquisition of Exact Sciences Enhances Growth Potential
- Revenue Growth: Abbott Laboratories reported a 5.7% increase in revenue for 2025, reaching $44.3 billion, with adjusted earnings per share (EPS) rising 10% to $5.15, indicating recovery potential in its medical devices and pharmaceuticals sectors, although total revenue has yet to return to pre-pandemic peaks.
- Acquisition Deal: Abbott is finalizing its $23 billion acquisition of Exact Sciences, which saw an 18% revenue increase to $3.2 billion in 2025, expected to enhance Abbott's diagnostics segment and strengthen its foothold in the rapidly growing oncology diagnostics market.
- Market Challenges: Despite strong growth in Abbott's medical devices and pharmaceuticals, sales in its nutrition and diagnostics segments have stagnated due to legal issues and FDA recalls related to FreeStyle Libre 3, leading to diminished investor interest in the stock.
- Future Outlook: Abbott anticipates adjusted EPS for 2026 to be in the range of $5.55 to $5.80, a 10% increase, while the cancer diagnostics market is projected to grow from $109.6 billion in 2024 to $155 billion by 2030, showcasing the company's long-term growth potential in the healthcare sector.
See More
Abbott Labs Increases Dividends for 54 Years, Acquires Exact Sciences
- Dividend Growth Record: Abbott Labs has raised its dividends for 54 consecutive years, with a 6.8% increase in 2023, reflecting its strong cash flow and profitability, which boosts investor confidence and solidifies its status as a 'Dividend King'.
- Acquisition-Driven Growth: Abbott is finalizing a $23 billion acquisition of Exact Sciences, which saw an 18% revenue increase to $3.2 billion in 2025, expected to enhance Abbott's diagnostics segment and strengthen its foothold in the rapidly growing cancer testing market.
- Core Business Recovery: While Abbott's total revenue rose 5.7% to $44.3 billion in 2025 and adjusted EPS increased 10% to $5.15, challenges from lawsuits and recalls related to FreeStyle Libre 3 have impacted some segments, affecting overall market performance.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: Abbott's Volt Pulsed Field Ablation system has received FDA approval, potentially treating 12 million U.S. patients over 65 with atrial fibrillation, with expectations for this number to double in the next two decades, indicating significant growth potential in cardiac care.
See More
Dividend Stocks Surge Amid Market Volatility, Outperforming S&P 500
- Dividend Stocks Performance: In 2026, dividend aristocrats are outperforming the broader market, with the ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF up 10% year-to-date compared to less than 1% for the S&P 500, reflecting investors' preference for stable income amid market volatility.
- Coca-Cola Dividend Increase: Coca-Cola announced a 4% increase in its quarterly dividend to 53 cents per share in February, marking its 64th consecutive year of dividend growth, and returned $8.8 billion to shareholders last year, demonstrating strong cash flow and market stability.
- NextEra Energy's Growth Plans: NextEra Energy raised its quarterly dividend by 10% to about 62 cents per share and plans for 10% annual dividend growth through 2026, with ambitions to add 30 gigawatts of new generation capacity by 2035, showcasing its commitment to renewable energy.
- Abbott Laboratories' Sustained Growth: Abbott announced a 6.8% dividend increase to 63 cents per share in December, achieving 54 consecutive years of growth, and despite missing fourth-quarter revenue expectations, its dividend growth of over 70% reflects strong profitability and market confidence.
See More
Following Grail's Study Setback, What Remains for Cancer Blood Screening?
- Stock Performance: Grail's stock experienced a significant decline, losing half of its value last Friday.
- Market Reaction: The drastic drop in stock price indicates a negative market reaction, potentially affecting investor confidence.
See More
VivaVision Races for Hong Kong IPO to Sustain Cash Flow
- Clinical Trial Progress: VivaVision's two drugs have reached Phase Three clinical trials, with one receiving regulatory fast track designation as a breakthrough therapy for eye inflammation, indicating its potential in the ophthalmic treatment sector.
- Increasing Financial Pressure: As of September 2025, the company had only 35.77 million yuan ($5.2 million) in cash, while net losses for the first three quarters of 2025 reached 131 million yuan, averaging about 43.33 million yuan per quarter, compelling the company to list quickly to replenish its funds.
- Funding History: Over its funding rounds, VivaVision has raised approximately 735 million yuan, with its valuation soaring from 17 million yuan to nearly 1.83 billion yuan, reflecting investor confidence in its long-term potential for innovative eye care solutions.
- Intense Market Competition: Despite advancements in eye inflammation treatment, the dry eye therapy market is highly competitive, with five innovative drugs already approved in China and another ten candidates at Phase Two or beyond, posing significant commercialization challenges.
See More
IWB Stock 52-Week High-Low Analysis
- Price Range Analysis: IWB's stock has a 52-week low of $264.17 and a high of $382.34, with the latest trade at $376.14, indicating stability near its high point, which may attract investor interest.
- Technical Analysis Tool: Comparing the current stock price to the 200-day moving average can provide valuable insights for investors, helping to assess market trends and potential buying opportunities.
- ETF Trading Mechanism: Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) trade like stocks, where investors buy and sell 'units' that can be created or destroyed based on demand, impacting liquidity and market performance.
- Inflows and Outflows Monitoring: Weekly monitoring of changes in ETF shares outstanding helps identify those experiencing significant inflows or outflows, allowing investors to evaluate the impact on underlying assets and make informed investment decisions.
See More
Abbott Laboratories' $23 Billion Acquisition of Exact Sciences Enhances Growth Potential
- Revenue Growth: Abbott Laboratories reported a 5.7% increase in revenue for 2025, reaching $44.3 billion, with adjusted earnings per share (EPS) rising 10% to $5.15, indicating recovery potential in its medical devices and pharmaceuticals sectors, although total revenue has yet to return to pre-pandemic peaks.
- Acquisition Deal: Abbott is finalizing its $23 billion acquisition of Exact Sciences, which saw an 18% revenue increase to $3.2 billion in 2025, expected to enhance Abbott's diagnostics segment and strengthen its foothold in the rapidly growing oncology diagnostics market.
- Market Challenges: Despite strong growth in Abbott's medical devices and pharmaceuticals, sales in its nutrition and diagnostics segments have stagnated due to legal issues and FDA recalls related to FreeStyle Libre 3, leading to diminished investor interest in the stock.
- Future Outlook: Abbott anticipates adjusted EPS for 2026 to be in the range of $5.55 to $5.80, a 10% increase, while the cancer diagnostics market is projected to grow from $109.6 billion in 2024 to $155 billion by 2030, showcasing the company's long-term growth potential in the healthcare sector.
See More
Abbott Labs Increases Dividends for 54 Years, Acquires Exact Sciences
- Dividend Growth Record: Abbott Labs has raised its dividends for 54 consecutive years, with a 6.8% increase in 2023, reflecting its strong cash flow and profitability, which boosts investor confidence and solidifies its status as a 'Dividend King'.
- Acquisition-Driven Growth: Abbott is finalizing a $23 billion acquisition of Exact Sciences, which saw an 18% revenue increase to $3.2 billion in 2025, expected to enhance Abbott's diagnostics segment and strengthen its foothold in the rapidly growing cancer testing market.
- Core Business Recovery: While Abbott's total revenue rose 5.7% to $44.3 billion in 2025 and adjusted EPS increased 10% to $5.15, challenges from lawsuits and recalls related to FreeStyle Libre 3 have impacted some segments, affecting overall market performance.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: Abbott's Volt Pulsed Field Ablation system has received FDA approval, potentially treating 12 million U.S. patients over 65 with atrial fibrillation, with expectations for this number to double in the next two decades, indicating significant growth potential in cardiac care.
See More
