Fluent Financial LLC Makes New $1.73 Million Investment in Abbott Laboratories $ABT

Fluent Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 19,082 shares of the healthcare product maker’s stock, valued at approximately $1,732,000.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. J. Stern & Co. LLP raised its position in Abbott Laboratories by 12,439.6% during the fourth quarter. J. Stern & Co. LLP now owns 39,319,009 shares of the healthcare product maker’s stock valued at $4,926,279,000 after purchasing an additional 39,005,451 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter worth about $2,938,892,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 217.0% during the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 5,522,222 shares of the healthcare product maker’s stock valued at $566,967,000 after purchasing an additional 3,780,402 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. raised its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 303.0% during the 1st quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 4,429,571 shares of the healthcare product maker’s stock valued at $454,784,000 after buying an additional 3,330,368 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ninety One UK Ltd bought a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter worth approximately $336,815,000. 75.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance

Shares of ABT stock opened at $107.81 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $186.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.89, a PEG ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.59. Abbott Laboratories has a fifty-two week low of $81.97 and a fifty-two week high of $137.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 1.38. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $95.51 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $99.87.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 16th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.28 by $0.03. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 11.65% and a return on equity of 17.69%. The firm had revenue of $12.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $12.52 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.26 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. Abbott Laboratories has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 1.380-1.46 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 5.450-5.60 EPS. Analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.52 earnings per share for the current year.

Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 17th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 15th will be issued a $0.63 dividend. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 15th. Abbott Laboratories’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 81.55%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. TD Cowen reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $115.00 price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Robert W. Baird began coverage on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Wednesday, July 1st. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $121.00 price objective for the company. UBS Group reduced their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $135.00 to $125.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. Leerink Partners decreased their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $119.00 to $106.00 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 21st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $145.00 to $135.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 17th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have given a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Abbott Laboratories presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $118.17.

Abbott Laboratories News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Abbott Laboratories this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Diagnostics expansion strengthens growth outlook: Abbott is broadening its Diagnostics growth base through its Exact Sciences relationship and oncology testing expansion. Gains in cancer diagnostics and resilient routine testing are helping offset weaker respiratory-related demand, potentially making growth less dependent on COVID and respiratory testing. Here’s How ABT Broadens Diagnostics Growth Base With Oncology Expansion
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts remain bullish: Although ABT has lagged the broader market over the past year, Wall Street analysts continue to view the stock favorably and see further upside potential based on Abbott’s diversified healthcare portfolio and earnings durability. Abbott Stock: Is Wall Street Bullish or Bearish?
• Positive Sentiment: Reliable-growth investment case: An investor letter from Matrix Asset Advisors presents Abbott as a compelling long-term healthcare holding, emphasizing its dependable growth profile and diversified end markets. Broader nutritional-market growth could also support Abbott’s nutrition business over time. What Makes Abbott Laboratories a Compelling Investment Opportunity Global Nutritional Market Outlook
• Neutral Sentiment: Value debate remains: Comparisons with Envista (NVST) focus on which medical-products stock offers better value. The coverage may prompt investors to weigh Abbott’s premium valuation against its stronger diversification and consistency, but it does not represent a new company-specific catalyst. NVST vs. ABT: Which Stock Is the Better Value Option?
• Neutral Sentiment: Competitive backdrop: Analysts’ discussion of Abbott alongside other healthcare companies provides sector context, but no major change to Abbott’s outlook is indicated. Boston Scientific’s reduced 2026 guidance could be relatively favorable for Abbott if investors rotate toward companies with steadier execution, though it also underscores competitive pressures in medical devices. Analysts Offer Insights on Healthcare Companies

Abbott Laboratories Company Profile

Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare company headquartered in Abbott Park, Illinois, that develops, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of medical products and services. Founded in 1888, Abbott operates through multiple business areas that focus on diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and established pharmaceuticals. The company supplies hospitals, clinics, laboratories, retailers and direct-to-consumer channels with products intended to diagnose, treat and manage a wide range of health conditions.

In diagnostics, Abbott provides laboratory and point-of-care testing platforms and assays used to detect infectious diseases, chronic conditions and biomarkers; its Alinity family of instruments and rapid-test solutions are examples of this capability.