Traders Purchase Large Volume of AbbVie Call Options (NYSE:ABBV)

AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) was the recipient of some unusual options trading activity on Wednesday. Stock traders acquired 19,745 call options on the company. This represents an increase of 18% compared to the typical daily volume of 16,703 call options.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AbbVie

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Litman Gregory Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in AbbVie during the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. Westend Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in AbbVie during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Imprint Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in shares of AbbVie by 56.2% in the 4th quarter. Imprint Wealth LLC now owns 125 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. Legacy Wealth Managment LLC ID increased its position in shares of AbbVie by 115.9% during the 4th quarter. Legacy Wealth Managment LLC ID now owns 136 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the last quarter. Finally, IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. bought a new position in shares of AbbVie during the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. 70.23% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

AbbVie Stock Performance

ABBV stock traded up $0.08 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $263.28. 3,378,635 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,025,740. The firm has a market capitalization of $465.16 billion, a PE ratio of 129.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 0.30. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $236.52 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $223.32. AbbVie has a 52 week low of $187.62 and a 52 week high of $267.47.

AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 29th. The company reported $2.65 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.59 by $0.06. AbbVie had a negative return on equity of 576.45% and a net margin of 5.79%.The firm had revenue of $15 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.72 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.46 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 12.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts predict that AbbVie will post 14.16 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AbbVie Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 14th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 15th will be issued a dividend of $1.73 per share. This represents a $6.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 15th. AbbVie’s payout ratio is presently 340.89%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald raised their price target on shares of AbbVie from $240.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, July 6th. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on AbbVie from $270.00 to $278.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Piper Sandler reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $298.00 price objective on shares of AbbVie in a report on Tuesday, June 23rd. Evercore set a $235.00 target price on AbbVie in a research report on Friday, May 15th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein restated a “market perform” rating on shares of AbbVie in a research note on Tuesday, June 23rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AbbVie currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $269.29.

More AbbVie News

Here are the key news stories impacting AbbVie this week:

• Positive Sentiment: RINVOQ received two important European approvals. The European Commission approved RINVOQ for severe alopecia areata in adults and adolescents, supported by Phase 3 data showing significant scalp, eyebrow, and eyelash hair regrowth. European Commission approval for severe alopecia areata
• Positive Sentiment: The commission also approved RINVOQ for non-segmental vitiligo, making it the first and only systemic treatment approved for this condition in the European Union. The expanded label could support future sales and strengthen AbbVie’s immunology portfolio. European Commission approval for non-segmental vitiligo
• Positive Sentiment: Options activity was unusually strong, with investors purchasing about 19,745 call options—approximately 18% above typical daily call volume—signaling increased near-term bullish interest.
• Positive Sentiment: Erste Group raised its FY2027 EPS forecast to $16.40 from $16.27, suggesting confidence in AbbVie’s longer-term earnings outlook. Investors also continue to highlight the company’s 53-year record of dividend increases and growth from Skyrizi and RINVOQ as Humira declines.
• Neutral Sentiment: AbbVie reports second-quarter results on July 31. Recent coverage points to Skyrizi and RINVOQ as key growth drivers, while investors will monitor Humira erosion, guidance, and the sustainability of the rally.
• Negative Sentiment: Erste Group modestly reduced its FY2026 EPS estimate to $14.05 from $14.08, below the $14.16 consensus forecast. Analysts also disagree on valuation: intrinsic-value models imply additional upside, while market multiples suggest the shares may already be expensive after a 172% five-year gain.
• Negative Sentiment: Several reports warn that the stock’s strong run could lead to “sell the news” volatility if upcoming earnings or forward guidance fail to exceed elevated expectations.

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.