AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) Upgraded to Strong-Buy at Barclays

AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) was upgraded by equities researchers at Barclays to a “strong-buy” rating in a note issued to investors on Thursday,Zacks.com reports.

Several other research analysts have also commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on AbbVie from $250.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of AbbVie in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Sanford C. Bernstein restated a “market perform” rating on shares of AbbVie in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Berenberg Bank set a $275.00 price target on shares of AbbVie in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of AbbVie from $235.00 to $230.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $252.79.

AbbVie Price Performance

Shares of ABBV opened at $224.94 on Thursday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $224.04 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $221.89. The stock has a market cap of $397.56 billion, a PE ratio of 95.31, a P/E/G ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 0.35. AbbVie has a 1-year low of $164.39 and a 1-year high of $244.81.

AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 4th. The company reported $2.71 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.65 by $0.06. AbbVie had a net margin of 6.91% and a negative return on equity of 4,184.47%. The firm had revenue of $16.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.39 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.16 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.0% compared to the same quarter last year. AbbVie has set its FY 2026 guidance at 14.370-14.570 EPS and its Q1 2026 guidance at 2.970-3.010 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that AbbVie will post 12.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of AbbVie

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Catalyst Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in AbbVie in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $242,000. Cambient Family Office LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AbbVie in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $14,538,000. McLaughlin Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of AbbVie in the 4th quarter valued at $928,000. Vancity Investment Management Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of AbbVie during the 4th quarter worth $210,000. Finally, Mcguire Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of AbbVie during the fourth quarter worth $1,136,000. 70.23% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting AbbVie

Here are the key news stories impacting AbbVie this week:

• Positive Sentiment: FDA approved the VENCLEXTA® (venetoclax) + acalabrutinib combination for previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). This is the first all‑oral, fixed‑duration combo for this setting, supported by Phase 3 AMPLIFY data—it can meaningfully expand uptake for Venclexta and acalabrutinib, strengthen AbbVie’s oncology franchise and offer a durable revenue stream versus one‑off treatments. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Approves Combination Treatment of VENCLEXTA® (venetoclax) and Acalabrutinib for Previously Untreated Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
• Positive Sentiment: Industry write‑ups frame the FDA approval as a potential new standard for a slow‑growing blood cancer, highlighting better three‑year outcomes and the “time off therapy” selling point—this can accelerate physician adoption and market share vs. chemo regimens. FDA Approval For AbbVie/AstraZeneca’s Combination Treatment Could Set New Standard For Slow Growing Blood Cancer
• Positive Sentiment: AbbVie opened a Phase 2a study for ABBV‑142 in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), broadening its respiratory/pulmonary pipeline beyond core immunology and oncology programs. Early‑stage pipeline depth helps investor sentiment around post‑Humira growth optionality. AbbVie Expands IPF Pipeline With New Phase 2a Study of ABBV-142
• Positive Sentiment: Board declared a $1.73 quarterly dividend (yield ~3.1%), reinforcing the income profile for dividend‑focused investors and supporting the stock’s defensive appeal. Dividend cadence and yield matter for total return expectations. AbbVie Declares Quarterly Dividend
• Neutral Sentiment: Quarterly results and commentary show Rinvoq and Skyrizi continuing to drive top‑line growth and offset Humira erosion; that underpins management’s guidance but much of these dynamics are already reflected in recent estimates. Will Immunology Drugs Continue to Drive AbbVie’s Top Line in 2026?
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage pieces ask whether AbbVie’s post‑Humira pipeline merits renewed investor attention — useful for narrative, but these are discussion pieces rather than new data that would immediately re‑rate the stock. Should AbbVie’s (ABBV) Post-Humira Pipeline Progress Prompt a Fresh Look From Investors?
• Neutral Sentiment: Marketing/PR items (new podcast, inclusion in dividend lists, media mentions) help brand and investor awareness but are unlikely to move fundamentals in the near term. AbbVie heads to ‘The Persistence Lab’ in new podcast highlighting healthcare innovation
• Negative Sentiment: Evercore noted Tremfya’s share gains but flagged possible limits to future earnings growth and trimmed its price target slightly—this is a modest analyst headwind that could cap upside if more firms follow with tepid updates. Evercore Notes AbbVie Inc.’s (ABBV) Tremfya Gains Market Share, But Future Earnings Growth May Be Limited

AbbVie Company Profile

AbbVie is a global, research-driven biopharmaceutical company that was created as a spin-off from Abbott Laboratories in 2013 and is headquartered in North Chicago, Illinois. The company focuses on discovering, developing and commercializing therapies for complex and often chronic medical conditions. Its operations span research and development, manufacturing, regulatory affairs and commercialization, with an emphasis on bringing specialty medicines to market across multiple therapeutic areas.

AbbVie’s product portfolio and pipeline cover several major therapeutic categories, including immunology, oncology, neuroscience, virology and women’s health.