Erste Group Bank Forecasts Increased Earnings for AbbVie

Key Points

• Erste Group Bank raised its FY2027 earnings estimate for AbbVie to $16.34 per share from $16.19 and maintained a “Buy” rating, above the current-year consensus estimate of $13.95.
• Analyst sentiment remains positive, with AbbVie holding a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating and an average price target of $277.18. Shares recently opened at $274.82, near their 52-week high of $283.43.
• AbbVie’s latest quarterly results exceeded expectations, with $3.65 in EPS and $16.99 billion in revenue, while the company declared a quarterly dividend of $1.73 per share. Growth prospects are supported by Skyrizi, Rinvoq and Vraylar, although Humira erosion and the stock’s elevated valuation remain risks.

AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV - Free Report) - Equities researchers at Erste Group Bank increased their FY2027 earnings estimates for shares of AbbVie in a research note issued on Thursday, October 8th. Erste Group Bank analyst H. Engel now anticipates that the company will earn $16.34 per share for the year, up from their prior forecast of $16.19. Erste Group Bank has a "Buy" rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for AbbVie's current full-year earnings is $13.95 per share.

Several other research analysts also recently commented on ABBV. Barclays raised their price objective on AbbVie from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. Wolfe Research raised AbbVie from a "peer perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and lifted their target price for the company from $235.00 to $300.00 in a research report on Thursday, August 13th. Guggenheim reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $288.00 target price on shares of AbbVie in a report on Friday, October 9th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $280.00 price target on shares of AbbVie in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Leerink Partners raised their price target on AbbVie from $245.00 to $279.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have issued a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $277.18.

AbbVie Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE ABBV opened at $274.82 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $485.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 77.63, a PEG ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 0.24. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $260.41 and a 200 day moving average price of $237.87. AbbVie has a 52-week low of $190.75 and a 52-week high of $283.43.

AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, July 31st. The company reported $3.65 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $3.61 by $0.04. AbbVie had a net margin of 9.80% and a negative return on equity of 422.07%. The business had revenue of $16.99 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.80 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.97 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was up 10.2% compared to the same quarter last year. AbbVie has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 3.840-3.880 EPS.

Institutional Trading of AbbVie

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Ranch Capital Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in AbbVie by 37.0% in the 1st quarter. Ranch Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 14,888 shares of the company's stock worth $3,238,000 after buying an additional 4,017 shares during the period. Capital Advisors Inc. OK raised its position in AbbVie by 11.2% during the 2nd quarter. Capital Advisors Inc. OK now owns 447,129 shares of the company's stock worth $112,516,000 after buying an additional 45,132 shares during the last quarter. Danica Pension Livsforsikringsaktieselskab acquired a new stake in AbbVie during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $23,557,000. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC lifted its stake in AbbVie by 7.5% during the 2nd quarter. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC now owns 134,579 shares of the company's stock valued at $33,865,000 after acquiring an additional 9,380 shares during the period. Finally, Mission Wealth Management LP boosted its holdings in shares of AbbVie by 119.1% in the 2nd quarter. Mission Wealth Management LP now owns 69,052 shares of the company's stock valued at $17,376,000 after acquiring an additional 37,531 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.23% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at AbbVie

In related news, EVP Nicholas Donoghoe sold 32,710 shares of AbbVie stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total transaction of $8,177,500.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 74,430 shares of the company's stock, valued at $18,607,500. This trade represents a 30.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.06% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

AbbVie Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 16th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 15th will be paid a dividend of $1.73 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 15th. This represents a $6.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. AbbVie's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 195.48%.

Trending Headlines about AbbVie

Here are the key news stories impacting AbbVie this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Potential Q3 revenue beat: RBC expects AbbVie to exceed third-quarter revenue estimates, driven by continued momentum for immunology drugs Skyrizi and Rinvoq, as well as psychiatric medicine Vraylar. This supports expectations that newer products can offset Humira’s loss of exclusivity. AbbVie Poised for Q3 Top-Line Beat Driven by Rinvoq, Skyrizi, and Vraylar Therapies, RBC Says
• Positive Sentiment: Encouraging Skyrizi data: New Phase 3 AFFIRM results showed favorable clinical and endoscopic outcomes for subcutaneous Skyrizi in patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease. The data could strengthen Skyrizi’s position in a major growth market and expand AbbVie’s immunology opportunity. AbbVie Presents New Phase 3 AFFIRM Data
• Positive Sentiment: Pipeline and analyst support: Recent Crohn’s disease data for Skyrizi and Rinvoq, cancer-related regulatory milestones for Temab-A, and early metabolic-treatment data are improving the outlook for AbbVie’s post-Humira growth. RBC reaffirmed its “Outperform” rating, although its target implies only limited additional upside. AbbVie Could Be 44% Below Fair Value on Fresh Pipeline Wins
• Neutral Sentiment: Strategic expansion: AbbVie’s acquisition of Apogee and related leadership moves highlight the company’s effort to replenish its pipeline through business development, but the long-term financial impact remains uncertain. Biotech Builder Paragon Imports Apogee’s Top Brass After AbbVie Buyout
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and execution risks: At a high earnings multiple near its recent peak, ABBV may be vulnerable to profit-taking even with positive clinical news. Investors also remain concerned about Humira’s ongoing sales erosion, increasing immunology competition, and whether Skyrizi and Rinvoq can sustain their rapid growth.

About AbbVie

AbbVie Inc is a global biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and markets medicines for a range of serious and chronic health conditions. Its portfolio spans immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, aesthetics, gastroenterology and women's health.

The company's products include the immunology medicines Skyrizi and Rinvoq; neuroscience treatments such as Vraylar, Ubrelvy and Qulipta; and oncology medicines including Imbruvica and Venclexta. AbbVie also markets Botox Cosmetic and Botox Therapeutic, as well as other products for aesthetics, eye care and specialty care.

AbbVie was established in 2013 as an independent, publicly traded company following its separation from Abbott Laboratories.

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