QRG Capital Management Inc. Lowers Holdings in Abbott Laboratories $ABT

Key Points

• QRG Capital Management cut its Abbott Laboratories stake by 28.7% in the second quarter, selling 83,416 shares and retaining 207,173 shares valued at approximately $18.8 million. Institutional investors collectively own 75.18% of ABT.
• Abbott reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results, with EPS of $1.31 and revenue of $12.59 billion, while revenue rose 13% year over year. The company issued third-quarter and full-year 2026 earnings guidance and maintains a quarterly dividend of $0.63.
• Analyst sentiment remains positive, with a “Moderate Buy” consensus and an average price target of $118.67; however, valuation is elevated, with a P/E ratio of about 36, potentially limiting further upside without continued earnings growth.

QRG Capital Management Inc. trimmed its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT - Free Report) by 28.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 207,173 shares of the healthcare product maker's stock after selling 83,416 shares during the period. QRG Capital Management Inc.'s holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $18,799,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

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

Abbott Laboratories News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Alphabet AI partnership expands Abbott’s growth opportunity: Abbott and Alphabet announced a multiyear collaboration integrating data from Abbott’s over-the-counter Lingo continuous glucose monitor into the Google Health app. Google’s AI Health Coach is expected to use the data to provide personalized recommendations, potentially increasing Lingo adoption and strengthening Abbott’s position in consumer digital health. Can Abbott Laboratories’ Lingo Partnership With Alphabet Unlock a New Era of AI-Powered Health?
• Positive Sentiment: Wolfe Research upgraded ABT to Outperform: The firm raised its rating from “Peer Perform” and set a $130 price target, implying substantial upside from recent trading levels. The upgrade indicates improving analyst confidence in Abbott’s earnings durability and growth prospects.
• Positive Sentiment: Established Pharmaceuticals remains a growth driver: Abbott’s Established Pharmaceutical Products division is benefiting from emerging-market demand, a broad branded-generics portfolio and biosimilar opportunities. This provides diversification beyond the company’s medical-device businesses. What’s Backing Abbott’s Established Pharmaceuticals Division Growth
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent trading strength reflects broad investor support: Abbott outperformed some medical-product peers during a recent strong market session, while bullish commentary has highlighted the company’s diversified portfolio and long-term growth potential. Abbott Laboratories Stock Outperforms Competitors on Strong Trading Day
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation remains a potential constraint: With a forward-looking earnings multiple above 36 and the stock already well above its recent moving averages, further gains may require continued earnings execution and evidence that newer initiatives such as Lingo can materially contribute to revenue.

Abbott Laboratories Stock Down 0.0%

ABT stock opened at $111.27 on Friday. Abbott Laboratories has a 52 week low of $81.97 and a 52 week high of $137.49. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $97.67 and a 200-day simple moving average of $99.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $192.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.01, a P/E/G ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 0.59.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 16th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.31 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.28 by $0.03. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 11.65% and a return on equity of 17.69%. The firm had revenue of $12.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.52 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.26 EPS. Abbott Laboratories's quarterly revenue was up 13.0% compared to the same quarter last year. 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. Equities analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $135.00 to $125.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. Piper Sandler restated an "overweight" rating and issued a $118.00 price target (up from $115.00) on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Citigroup increased their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $108.00 to $112.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Robert W. Baird started coverage on Abbott Laboratories in a report on Wednesday, July 1st. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $121.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $109.00 to $112.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have assigned a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $118.67.

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.

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