Should I buy Abbott Laboratories stock in 2025?

What is Abbott Laboratories?

What is the price of Abbott Laboratories stock?

The price of Abbott Laboratories stock is rising this week. As of now, Abbott Laboratories (ABT) trades at $132.85, showing a 0.63% increase over the past 24 hours and up 1.80% on the week.

The company’s market capitalisation stands at $231.14 billion, with an average three-month trading volume of 7.2 million shares.

Its price/earnings ratio is 17.23, the dividend yield is 1.78%, and the stock’s beta is approximately 0.74, indicating lower volatility than the market.

With steady performance and attractive yield, Abbott Laboratories continues to offer potential for stability-focused investors in Ireland.

Our complete analysis of the Abbott Laboratories stock

Over the past three years, Abbott Laboratories has demonstrated a robust financial trajectory and dynamic share price evolution. Drawing from the most recent financial results as of Q1 2025, alongside a holistic assessment of technical patterns, sector developments, market data, and peer benchmarking through our proprietary modelling, we observe a company poised at an inflection point. So, why might Abbott Laboratories once again represent a strategic entry into the medical technology sector as we head into 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) has delivered an impressive market performance, particularly over the past twelve months. As of 30 May 2025, the stock trades at $132.85, representing an annual gain of +31.89% and a robust 6-month rally of +11.85%. The intraday uptick (+0.63%), coupled with a sustained upward trend over recent weeks (+1.8% in one week), reflects growing investor confidence amid sector rotation into healthcare and technology hybrids.

Several recent events have further strengthened ABBT’s positioning. Most notably:

• FDA approval for the Tendyne TMVR system in May 2025 positioned Abbott at the forefront of structural heart therapies—a market anticipated for rapid expansion.
• Expansion into over-the-counter biowearables, especially the new continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, taps into surging demand due to the global prevalence of diabetes and growing awareness of health tracking.
• A $500 million investment plan in US manufacturing aligns with supply chain security and government incentives, reinforcing Abbott’s American industrial presence.

The wider market context is especially favourable for Abbott. Healthcare spending remains resilient, supported by demographic trends (ageing populations), regulatory encouragement for medical innovation, and renewed global focus on diagnostics and preventive care. Within this macroeconomic setting—where defensive, high-innovation companies are increasingly prized—Abbott’s blend of stability and forward-looking strategy seems particularly well-timed.

Technical Analysis

Technical readings suggest Abbott is entering a new bullish phase following a clear and persistent uptrend.

• Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands in the 49-54 range—neutral, but with ample room before overbought territory, suggesting further appreciation could occur without technical exhaustion.
• MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence) is positive at 0.81, indicating that upward momentum is gathering.
• Moving averages are unequivocally supportive: the share price is trading comfortably above the 20-day, 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day moving averages, a configuration typically seen in strong bullish markets.
• The key support level at $120 has held firmly, while short-term resistance at $133.48 is being actively contested; a breakout above this could open the path to challenge the 52-week high at $141.23.

Recent technical signals confirm an established upward trend with no clear signs of reversal. This suggests that any short-term pullbacks could present attractive entry points rather than signal structural weakness.

Fundamental Analysis

Abbott’s fundamentals continue to underpin the stock’s favourable outlook.

• Revenue growth: Q1 2025 saw revenues of $10.4bn (+4.0% reported, +6.9% organic), demonstrating solid topline expansion in line with management targets.
• Profitability excellence: Trailing twelve-month (TTM) net income stands at $13.45bn, with an exceptional net margin of 31.89%—far above most industry peers and indicative of high operating leverage.
• Valuation appears undemanding: The stock is priced at a forward P/E of 17.23 and a consensus price target of $140.57, suggesting room for capital appreciation. Relative to Abbott’s growth prospects and sector leadership, this valuation remains attractive, especially against a backdrop of broad market frothiness in other large-cap healthcare names.
• Abbott’s diversified portfolio (medical devices, diagnostics, nutritionals, and legacy pharmaceuticals) provides insulation from sector-specific volatility. The company leads in cardiovascular devices, CGMs (with the Libre product line), and diagnostics—the latter a pillar post-pandemic with increasing automation and scale.

Strategically, about 60% of sales are generated outside the US across more than 160 markets, signalling an effective global reach. Abbott’s proven brand, relentless investment in R&D, and sustained leadership under CEO Robert Ford support persistent competitive advantages.

Volume and Liquidity

Liquidity and trading interest in Abbott Laboratories remain strong, underpinning confidence and valuation resilience.

• Average daily volume over the past three months: 7.2 million shares. This depth enables efficient execution at scale, important for institutional positioning or retail investors seeking flexibility.
• The current market capitalisation of $231.14bn places Abbott among the largest and most stable healthcare names globally, and assures high visibility in major global indices.
• Floated shares: With 1.74bn shares outstanding, the float is ample, yet not excessive, fostering a balance between valuation dynamism and stability—key for a stock attracting both long-term investors and active traders.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

A series of powerful growth catalysts positions Abbott for potential further outperformance in the coming quarters:

• Ongoing innovation: The launch of FDA-approved, next-generation devices such as Tendyne TMVR and fresh CGM solutions (with broader OTC access) places Abbott at the leading edge of medical technology.
• Structural health trends: Demand for diabetes monitoring, cardiovascular therapies, and advanced diagnostics continues to rise, driven by demographics, consumer health consciousness, and advances in telemedicine.
• Investment in manufacturing and operational efficiency: The $500m US investment signals supply chain fortification and optimised cost structures.
• Portfolio diversification under CEO Ford ensures resilience and positions Abbott to capture emerging opportunities in diagnostics automation and biowearables.
• ESG credentials and dividend record: Abbott’s 51-year track record of dividend growth and its nearly 1.8% yield are particularly attractive for defensive income seekers; the company’s steadfast focus on compliance, innovation, and corporate governance reinforce its premium standing.

While tariff exposure remains a modest headwind (projected to impact profits by several hundred million dollars in 2025), Abbott’s diversified global revenues and operational discipline mean these risks are manageable. Competitive pressure from rivals such as Edwards Lifesciences in mitral technologies should be monitored, but Abbott’s scale, innovation pace, and established brand offer meaningful defenses.

Investment Strategies

Different investor profiles may find the current context especially appealing:

• Short-term: Traders can target upside breakouts should the share clear the $133.48 resistance, with additional momentum likely as technical triggers align and newsflow around new product launches continues.
• Medium-term: Investors looking for defensive growth, income, and quality can capitalise on Abbott’s ongoing upward trajectory and positioning ahead of further catalysts—such as enrolment expansions in diagnostics or cardiovascular breakthroughs.
• Long-term: Abbott remains a textbook example of compounding quality—diversified revenue streams, structural health megatrends, and sustained dividend growth create an appealing anchor for global equity portfolios. Any market-driven retracements or sector rotations could present rare opportunities to accumulate shares at a discount to fair value.

Is it the Right Time to Buy Abbott Laboratories?

Taken together, Abbott Laboratories is demonstrating all the hallmarks of a stock entering a new phase of robust growth. The technical outlook is constructive, the fundamental underpinnings are compelling—notably through sustained margins and justified valuation—and the catalyst pipeline remains rich. The ongoing focus on innovation, portfolio resilience, global diversification, and a half-century of dividend growth only add to its appeal.

For those seeking exposure to the intersection of healthcare innovation and defensiveness, Abbott Laboratories seems to represent an excellent opportunity at current levels. The fundamentals justify renewed interest, and the company’s position at the forefront of global medical technology presents a compelling case for inclusion in both growth and income-oriented portfolios.

In summary, as we look to the remainder of 2025 and beyond, Abbott Laboratories appears increasingly likely to reward investors who recognise the combination of strategic agility, operational strength, and sectoral tailwinds. The technical structure, liquidity, and breadth of growth catalysts all highlight why this might be a prime moment to give serious consideration to Abbott as part of a forward-looking investment strategy.

For those watching the medical technology sector, the strategic entry point offered by Abbott Laboratories may prove to be one of the most compelling opportunities available in today’s market landscape.

How to buy Abbott Laboratories stock in Ireland?

Buying Abbott Laboratories (ABT) stock online is straightforward and secure when using a broker regulated in Ireland or the EU. Investors can choose between two main investment methods: buying the shares outright for long-term holding, or trading using Contracts For Difference (CFDs) to benefit from shorter-term price movements with leverage. Both approaches can be accessed easily through reputable online platforms, where opening an account, funding, and placing an order take just a few steps. It’s important to compare brokers’ fees, account types, and features, which you’ll find in our comparison further down the page.

Spot Buying

When you make a cash purchase of Abbott Laboratories stock, you’re buying real shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange, which are then held in your name. This approach suits those looking to invest for the medium-to-long term, potentially benefiting from dividend payments and capital appreciation. Brokerages typically charge a fixed commission per trade—many Irish-friendly platforms charge around €5–€7 per US share order.

Example

If the Abbott Laboratories share price is $132.85, a $1,000 stake (approximately €920, conversion may vary) allows you to buy around 7 shares ($1,000 / $132.85 ≈ 7), including a brokerage fee of about $5.

✔️ Gain scenario

Should the share price rise by 10%, your 7 shares are now worth $1,100 in total.
Result: +$100 gross gain, representing a +10% return before fees and taxes.

Trading via CFD

CFDs (Contracts for Difference) let you speculate on Abbott Laboratories’ share price without owning the shares—you profit from price movements, and can use leverage to amplify your exposure. CFD trading carries different fees: mainly the spread (the small difference between buy and sell prices), and overnight financing charges if you keep positions open for more than one day.

Example

If you open a CFD position on Abbott Laboratories shares with $1,000 and 5x leverage, your effective market exposure is $5,000.

✔️ Gain scenario

If Abbott’s share price rises by 8%, your position gains 8% × 5 = 40%.
Result: +$400 profit on your original $1,000 margin, excluding fees.

Final Advice

Before investing, it’s crucial to review each broker’s fees, regulatory protections, and product features to find the best fit for your needs. Whether you choose spot buying for long-term growth and dividends, or CFDs for flexible, leveraged trading, the right method depends on your time horizon, risk appetite, and investment goals. To help make your decision even easier, we’ve compared leading brokers for Irish investors further down this page.

Our 7 tips for buying Abbott Laboratories stock

The latest news about Abbott Laboratories

Abbott Laboratories has announced FDA approval for its Tendyne TMVR system, strengthening its structural heart portfolio. This recent regulatory milestone in the United States is particularly significant for Abbott’s global cardiac care operations, which supply many European hospitals, including those in Ireland. Irish clinicians and healthcare providers are attentive to such advances as they typically signal near-term potential for the introduction of innovative heart valve solutions in the EU through mutual recognition and expedited product launches, supporting Abbott's reputation as a leading cardiovascular device innovator and enhancing the value proposition for its international partners and stakeholders.

The company’s latest financial results revealed a robust 6.9% organic revenue growth in Q1 2025, in line with full-year guidance. This strong topline performance included sustained gains across its medical devices, diagnostics, and nutritionals segments, vital for markets with advanced healthcare needs like Ireland’s. With over 60% of sales generated outside the United States, these figures underscore Abbott's resilience to regional volatility and position it as a stable, diversified supplier to the Irish healthcare system, which relies heavily on global players for both public and private sector procurement.

Abbott has launched new over-the-counter continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, expanding its biowearables reach in Europe. This recent expansion is directly relevant for Ireland, which faces rising diabetes prevalence and is a fast adopter of digital health technologies. Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre platform is already widely used by patients across the country and supported by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The introduction of OTC CGM options is likely to broaden market access, ease the burden on clinicians, and contribute to improved disease management outcomes for the local population.

Abbott’s share price has climbed 1.80% over the last week, outperforming several healthcare sector indices. Consistent positive share price momentum, underpinned by favorable technical indicators—such as a positive MACD, neutral RSI, and a price currently above all key moving averages—reflects renewed investor confidence in the company’s strategy and earnings visibility. Irish institutional investors and pension funds with allocations to US healthcare benefit from this constructive price action, which enhances portfolio performance and stability.

Management has confirmed ongoing strategic investments and product innovation, with a global manufacturing investment of $500 million and continued dividend growth. These developments reinforce Abbott’s status as a shareholder-friendly, innovation-driven leader, attributes valued by Irish investors and retirement schemes seeking long-term, growing dividend streams. The uninterrupted history of quarterly dividends for over a century and 51 consecutive years of dividend increases provide additional appeal, especially for those in Ireland seeking reliable international income exposure to supplement domestic holdings.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.