Stock of the Day

January 31, 2020

Abbott Laboratories (ABT)

$103.22
-$1.66 (-1.6%)
Market Cap: $181.48B

About Abbott Laboratories

Abbott 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 company 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. It also offers laboratory and transfusion medicine systems in the areas of immunoassay, clinical chemistry, hematology, and transfusion; molecular diagnostics polymerase chain reaction instrument systems that automate the extraction, purification, and preparation of DNA and RNA from patient samples, and detect and measure infectious agents; point of care systems; cartridges for testing blood gas, chemistry, electrolytes, coagulation, and immunoassay; 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 laboratories. In addition, the company provides pediatric and adult nutritional products; rhythm management, electrophysiology, heart failure, vascular, and structural heart devices for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases; diabetes care products, such as glucose and blood glucose monitoring systems; and neuromodulation devices for the management of chronic pain and movement disorders. Abbott Laboratories was founded in 1888 and is based in North Chicago, Illinois.

Abbott Laboratories Bull Case

Here are some ways that investors could benefit from investing in Abbott Laboratories:

  • Abbott Laboratories is currently trading at $103.22, which is significantly below the average analyst price target of $118.32, suggesting potential upside for investors who believe the recent sell-off has overreacted to temporary headwinds.
  • The company announced it will spin off its nutrition segment into a standalone company, a strategic move that could help boost revenue growth by allowing the core healthcare businesses to operate with greater focus and efficiency.
  • Abbott Laboratories reported strong third-quarter results with revenue of $13.01 billion, beating analyst expectations of $12.99 billion, and earnings per share of $1.42, which met the consensus estimate, demonstrating solid operational performance.
  • The company launched the Oncodetect molecular residual disease test, a next-generation diagnostic tool powered by whole-genome sequencing that tracks up to 5,000 patient-specific variants, positioning Abbott as a leader in personalized cancer care.
  • Abbott Laboratories offers a dividend yield of 2.43%, providing a steady income stream for investors, and the company has a history of raising its dividend, making it an attractive option for income-focused portfolios.

Abbott Laboratories Bear Case

Investors should be bearish about investing in Abbott Laboratories for these reasons:

  • Argus downgraded Abbott Laboratories from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating due to a guidance cut, indicating that analysts are concerned about the company's future earnings outlook and potential demand headwinds.
  • The stock has experienced a significant decline from its 52-week high of $132.02 to its current price of $103.22, reflecting investor concerns about the company's performance and market position.
  • Abbott Laboratories faces litigation risks that could impact its financial performance, as noted in recent analyst reports, which may lead to unexpected costs and legal challenges.
  • The company's nutrition business is still dragging down sales growth, which could limit overall revenue expansion and profitability in the near term.
  • Abbott Laboratories has a high P/E ratio of 38.52, which may indicate that the stock is overvalued relative to its earnings, making it less attractive for value-oriented investors.

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