On Thursday, Oppenheimer maintained a positive stance on Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT), reiterating an Outperform rating and a $130.00 price target. The firm's analysis followed Abbott's third-quarter 2024 revenue report, which showed earnings aligned with market expectations.
Abbott Labs reported third-quarter revenues of $10.64 billion, reflecting an organic year-over-year growth of 7.6%. This figure stood between Oppenheimer's estimate of $10.79 billion and the consensus estimate of $10.55 billion. The company's GAAP earnings per share (EPS) reached $0.94, matching the Oppenheimer and consensus estimates of $0.92 and $0.89, respectively.
The medical devices segment of Abbott Labs notably achieved revenues of $4.75 billion, marking an organic increase of 13.3%. The company has completed enrollment for its VOLT-AF study and anticipates an FDA filing in 2025. Additionally, Abbott has made significant progress in its cardiac mapping procedures, now mapping over 50% of radiofrequency (RF) ablation cases, a substantial increase from the previous 25-30%.
For the full year 2024, Abbott Labs reiterated its organic growth projection (excluding COVID-related business) of 9.5-10%. The company has also adjusted its GAAP EPS forecast, now expecting it to be between $3.34 and $3.40, compared to the prior range of $3.30 to $3.40.
Oppenheimer's positive outlook for Abbott Labs is based on the anticipation of diminishing headwinds outside of the MedTech sector, more favorable comparisons in fiscal year 2026, and an acceleration of top-line composite growth to low double digits, coupled with improvements in EBIT margins. The firm has adjusted its estimates to reflect Abbott's third-quarter results and the updated full-year guidance.
In other recent news, Abbott Laboratories reported strong third-quarter results, exceeding revenue and earnings per share expectations. The firm's revenues reached $10.64 billion, and earnings per share stood at $1.21, surpassing the Street's forecasts. The company's sales saw a 4.9% increase, with the Medical Devices segment achieving 13.3% organic growth, largely driven by Diabetes Care sales surpassing $1.6 billion.
Abbott Labs has raised its full-year EPS guidance for the third time this year, adjusting it to a range of $4.64 to $4.70. Analyst firms TD Cowen, JPMorgan, Jefferies, and Stifel have all expressed confidence in Abbott's growth prospects, maintaining or increasing their price targets based on the company's strong performance and promising growth outlook.
CEO Robert Ford (NYSE:F) anticipates high single-digit revenue growth and double-digit earnings growth moving towards 2025, primarily driven by the Medical Device segment. A new $7 billion share repurchase program was authorized, reflecting the company's confidence in its financial health and future prospects.
InvestingPro Insights
Abbott Laboratories' strong performance and positive outlook are further supported by recent data from InvestingPro. The company's market capitalization stands at an impressive $205.29 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the healthcare sector. Abbott's revenue for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024 reached $40.73 billion, with a modest growth of 1.24%, aligning with the company's steady performance noted in the article.
InvestingPro Tips highlight Abbott's financial stability and shareholder-friendly policies. The company has maintained dividend payments for 54 consecutive years and has raised its dividend for 11 consecutive years, demonstrating a strong commitment to returning value to shareholders. This consistent dividend policy is particularly noteworthy given the company's ability to navigate challenges and maintain growth, as evidenced by the recent earnings report.
Abbott's position as a prominent player in the Healthcare Equipment & Supplies industry is reinforced by its solid financials. The company's gross profit margin of 55.47% for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024 indicates efficient operations and pricing power, which supports its ability to invest in research and development, crucial for maintaining its competitive edge in areas like cardiac mapping procedures mentioned in the article.
For investors seeking more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 12 additional tips for Abbott Laboratories, providing a deeper understanding of the company's financial health and market position.
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