Abbott Laboratories stock slips after a $670 million settlement
Published on 08/25/2026 at 20:43 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Abbott Laboratories (US0028241000) faces a $670 million settlement tied to infant-formula claims, while the shares opened at $116.70 and the company carried a market cap of $201.94 billion on August 25, 2026.
The latest reporting context still points to a large, profitable business: after second-quarter results, Abbott reaffirmed 2026 comparable sales growth guidance of 6.5% to 7.5% and lifted adjusted EPS guidance to $5.45 to $5.60, according to recent reporting.
Legal cost meets guidance
The settlement figure is concrete, and it matters because it lands beside guidance that already implies another year of mid-single-digit sales growth. That combination leaves investors weighing a one-off cash charge against a forecast that still points to earnings growth in 2026.
Market data also keeps the valuation discussion active. At $116.70, the stock sits only $1.97 below the $118.67 consensus price target cited in recent market coverage, a gap that is small versus the company's $201.94 billion equity value.
What the numbers say
The comparison is straightforward: 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $5.45 to $5.60 is above the earlier $5.34 midpoint implied by the range itself, and comparable sales growth of 6.5% to 7.5% signals continued expansion. Against that backdrop, the $670 million settlement is material, but it does not change the fact that the business is still being framed around higher sales and profit than in the prior quarter's run-rate.
Abbott's current market profile also remains defensive by large-cap standards. The stock's $116.70 opening price, 37.77 trailing P/E, and 0.59 beta point to a mature healthcare name rather than a high-volatility trade.
FreeStyle Libre still matters
Abbott's FreeStyle Libre line remains one of the company's most visible products because it anchors the diabetes franchise and helps support the recurring-sales profile behind the 2026 guidance. That matters now because any legal cost is being judged against a broader portfolio that still generates scale in diagnostics, nutrition, and medical devices.
Shares and valuation
As of August 25, 2026, Abbott Laboratories shares were at $116.70 in recent market coverage, with a market cap of $201.94 billion. The stock's next move now depends on how investors balance the $670 million settlement against the $5.45 to $5.60 adjusted EPS outlook for 2026.
More on Abbott Laboratories stock
Company: Abbott Laboratories
ISIN: US0028241000
Ticker: ABT
Exchange: NYSE
Price (as of August 25, 2026): $116.70 USD
Market cap: $201.94 billion (as of August 25, 2026)
Sector / Industry: Health Care / Health Care Equipment
Index membership: S&P 500
Next earnings date: October 15, 2026
