KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Increases Stock Holdings in Abbott Laboratories $ABT

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS grew its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) by 1.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 711,099 shares of the healthcare product maker’s stock after purchasing an additional 7,000 shares during the period. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS’s holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $95,245,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the second quarter worth $3,026,180,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 13,347.0% during the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,056,934 shares of the healthcare product maker’s stock worth $823,804,000 after purchasing an additional 6,011,891 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 1.8% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 172,800,851 shares of the healthcare product maker’s stock worth $23,502,644,000 after purchasing an additional 2,977,715 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP raised its position in Abbott Laboratories by 180.7% in the 2nd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 3,063,443 shares of the healthcare product maker’s stock valued at $416,659,000 after purchasing an additional 1,972,097 shares in the last quarter. Finally, TD Asset Management Inc boosted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 98.6% in the 2nd quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 3,467,896 shares of the healthcare product maker’s stock valued at $471,669,000 after buying an additional 1,721,523 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.18% of the company’s stock.

Abbott Laboratories Trading Up 1.2%

NYSE:ABT opened at $127.91 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 1.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. Abbott Laboratories has a 52-week low of $110.86 and a 52-week high of $141.23. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $126.00 and its 200 day moving average price is $129.51. The company has a market capitalization of $222.42 billion, a PE ratio of 16.03, a P/E/G ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.72.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.30 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.30. The business had revenue of $11.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $11.40 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 31.88% and a return on equity of 17.60%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.21 EPS. Abbott Laboratories has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.120-5.180 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 EPS for the current year.

Abbott Laboratories Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 13th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.63 per share. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. This is a positive change from Abbott Laboratories’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.59. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 15th. Abbott Laboratories’s payout ratio is currently 29.57%.

Key Headlines Impacting Abbott Laboratories

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

• Positive Sentiment: Barclays reaffirmed a constructive view on ABT with a buy/overweight stance and raised its price target, signaling strong analyst confidence that supports further upside. Barclays Sticks to Their Buy Rating for Abbott Laboratories (ABT)
• Positive Sentiment: Barclays also increased its price target from $162 to $169 (overweight), implying meaningful upside from current levels and likely supporting buying interest. Benzinga coverage of Barclays PT raise
• Positive Sentiment: Evercore ISI nudged its target up to $144 and maintained an outperform rating, adding another independent analyst vote of confidence for valuation and growth expectations. Evercore ISI adjusts PT on Abbott Laboratories
• Positive Sentiment: Abbott unveiled Libre Assist, an AI-driven feature in the Libre app aimed at in-the-moment meal guidance for people with diabetes — a product extension that could boost user engagement and CGM stickiness. Product innovation at CES supports the narrative of recurring revenue and device ecosystem strength. Abbott’s new Libre Assist app feature
• Neutral Sentiment: Abbott scheduled its Q4 2025 earnings release and conference call for Jan. 22 (pre-market). This is a key near-term catalyst: results and FY guidance will likely drive the next leg of the stock’s move. Abbott hosts conference call for fourth-quarter earnings
• Neutral Sentiment: Studio coverage and comparisons (Zacks) highlight valuation comparisons with peers like Prestige Consumer Healthcare — useful for value-oriented investors, but not a direct stock driver. PBH vs. ABT: Which Stock Is the Better Value Option?
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent intraday/short-term coverage noting ABT’s outperformance versus the market signals momentum but is not a fundamental change. Abbott (ABT) Rises Higher Than Market: Key Facts

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently weighed in on ABT shares. William Blair raised shares of Abbott Laboratories to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $153.00 to $157.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Raymond James Financial raised their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $141.00 to $146.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Monday, December 29th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $147.47.

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.