Abbott Labs Increases Dividends for 54 Years, Acquires Exact Sciences
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 6 days ago
0mins
Should l Buy ABT?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- 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.
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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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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
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- 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
