Chesley Taft & Associates LLC Raises Holdings in Abbott Laboratories $ABT

Chesley Taft & Associates LLC lifted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) by 15.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 279,684 shares of the healthcare product maker’s stock after purchasing an additional 37,055 shares during the quarter. Abbott Laboratories accounts for about 1.0% of Chesley Taft & Associates LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd biggest holding. Chesley Taft & Associates LLC’s holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $25,379,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. MidAtlantic Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Purpose Unlimited Inc. purchased a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Portfolio Resources Advisor Group Inc. bought a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Abound Financial LLC bought a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. 75.18% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently weighed in on ABT. Citigroup increased their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $108.00 to $112.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, July 17th. Weiss Ratings cut Abbott Laboratories from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $110.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $109.00 to $112.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein lowered their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $110.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 17th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have issued a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Abbott Laboratories has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $118.17.

Key Stories Impacting Abbott Laboratories

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 Price Performance

Shares of Abbott Laboratories stock opened at $107.81 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $186.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.89, a P/E/G ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.59. 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’s fifty day moving average is $95.51 and its 200 day moving average is $100.03. Abbott Laboratories has a one year low of $81.97 and a one year high of $137.49.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 16th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.31 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.28 by $0.03. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 17.69% and a net margin of 11.65%.The business had revenue of $12.59 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $12.52 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.26 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly 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. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.52 earnings per share for the current year.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

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

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.