September 26, 2024
Top 10 Stock Abbott Laboratories Strong Buy Recommendation



How to read the ranks

For every stock, we judge its performance against its peers and rank it on a scale of 1 to 100. The higher the rank, the better the stock performs than its peers. And, we do this for six investment strategies:

Value - shows how good of a value the stock is. Green is "inexpensive"; red is "expensive".

Growth - shows a company's growth potential. Green is "high growth" expected; red is "tough times ahead".

Safety - relates to the amount of debt a company has. Green is low debt level; red is high debt level.

Combined Financial - this isn't an average of the first three ranks but rather a consolidated view across several financial indicators. Green = good; red = tread carefully.

(NEW) Sentiment - quantifies professional analyst ratings and holdings as well as market pulse. Green = positive sentiment; red = skepticism (Only available to Premium Subscribers).

(NEW) 360° View - the ultimate rating with all financial and non-financial indicators.

Snapshot: Abbott Laboratories – Top 10 Stock in Recycling Leaders


abbott.com


Abbott Laboratories is listed as a top 10 stock on September 26, 2024 in the market index Recycling because of its high performance in at least one of the Obermatt investment strategies. As three out of four consolidated Obermatt Ranks exhibit excellent performance, it is a solid investment where the risk of paying too much for the shares is low, despite a currently slow growth momentum. Based on the Obermatt 360° View of 95 (top 95% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall strong buy recommendation for Abbott Laboratories on September 26, 2024.


Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks


Country USA
Industry Health Care Equipment
Index Dividends USA, Diversity USA, Recycling, D.J. US Medical, S&P 500
Size class XX-Large
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Top 10 Stocks ≠ most popular stocks

When Obermatt identifies the Top 10 stocks in a market, it’s based on a certain investment strategy. The best performing stocks usually aren’t the ones that everyone is talking about (those are often "over-priced" and have low Value ranks).

For each investment strategy, we provide you with more detailed analysis and our recommendation. You see the ranks of the top 10 stocks ranked by that particular investment strategy (360° View, Sentiment, Value, Growth, Safety and Combined Financial Performance).


360° View: Obermatt 360° View Abbott Laboratories Strong Buy

360 METRICS September 26, 2024
VALUE
VALUE
GROWTH
GROWTH
SAFETY
SAFETY
SENTIMENT
SENTIMENT
360° VIEW
360° VIEW

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 95 (better than 95% compared with alternatives) for 2024, overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock Abbott Laboratories are very positive. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with half of the indicators below and half above average for Abbott Laboratories. The consolidated Value Rank has an attractive rank of 59, which means that the share price of Abbott Laboratories is on the lower side compared with typical size in indicators such as revenues, profits, and invested capital. This means the stock price is lower than for 59% of alternative stocks in the same industry. The company is also safely financed with a Safety rank of 84. In addition, professional market sentiment is above average compared with other stock investment alternatives with a Sentiment Rank of 92. But the consolidated Growth Rank has a low rank of 45, which means that the company is below average in terms of growth and momentum when looking at financial metrics such as revenue, profit, and invested capital growth as well as stock returns. 55 of its competitors have better growth. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 95, Abbott Laboratories is better positioned than 95% of all alternative stock investment opportunities based on the Obermatt Method. Three out of four consolidated Obermatt Ranks show above-average performance. The stock has as good value (Value Rank of 59), secure financing practices (Safety Rank of 84), and positive market sentiment in the professional investor community (Sentiment Rank of 92). It is a solid stock investment where the risk of paying too much for the shares is limited, and disappointments are less likely to occur. The company’s growth expectations are below the industry average (Growth Rank of 45), but that could also be temporary since professional investors remain optimistic despite the low growth numbers. The low price as reflected in the good Value Rank could indicate that the company's future is challenging. The below-par growth performance may be the reason for this. Companies that grow less are typically cheaper than fast-growing competitors. We recommend evaluating whether the future of Abbott Laboratories is as difficult as the stock’s low price suggests, despite the positive professional investor sentiment. Since the professional community is optimistic, you might have less to worry about, and the stock may just go through a more challenging phase now, indicating good timing. ...read more




Sentiment Strategy: Professional Market Sentiment for Abbott Laboratories very positive

SENTIMENT METRICS September 26, 2024
ANALYST OPINION
ANALYST OPINION
OPINIONS CHANGE
OPINIONS CHANGE
PRO HOLDINGS
PRO HOLDINGS
MARKET PULSE
MARKET PULSE
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Sentiment Rank of 92 (better than 92% compared with alternatives) for 2024, overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock Abbott Laboratories is very positive. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators, with all four indicators above average for Abbott Laboratories. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 63 (better than 63% of alternative investments), which means that, currently, stock research analysts tend to recommend a stock investment in the company. Analyst Opinions Change is also positive with a rank of 50, which means that stock research experts are changing their opinions for the better and recommending investing in the company. They are getting more optimistic about stock investments in Abbott Laboratories. The Professional Investors rank is 96, which means that currently, professional investors hold more stock in this company than in 96% of alternative investment opportunities. Pros tend to favor investing in this company. Finally, Market Pulse has a rank of 87 which means that the current professional news and professional social networks are on the positive side when discussing this company (more positive news than for 87% of competitors). ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 92 (more positive than 92% compared with investment alternatives), Abbott Laboratories has a reputation among professional investors that is significantly higher than that of its competitors. Since all market sentiment indicators are positive, the professional community highly recommends investment in the company. Does this mean Abbott Laboratories stocks are a safe investment? Far from it. Even professionals make mistakes. Especially in stock investing, there is a tendency to follow the leaders. Since trees don't grow to the heavens, such positive sentiment may also be interpreted as a danger sign. A lot of optimism can often be a sign of troubles to come, albeit unforeseen by most. ...read more



Value Strategy: Abbott Laboratories Stock Price Value better than average

VALUE METRICS September 26, 2024
PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S)
PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S)
PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E)
PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E)
PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book)
PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book)
DIVIDEND YIELD
DIVIDEND YIELD
CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE
CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 59 (better than 59% compared with alternatives), Abbott Laboratories shares are more attractively priced than the majority of comparable stocks. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with three out of four indicators below average for Abbott Laboratories. Only the metric dividend yield has an above-average rank, reflecting that dividend practices are expected to be higher than 98% of comparable companies, making the stock an attractive buy for dividend investors. However, dividend investors may get disappointed because all other critical financial indicators are below the market median: Price-to-Sales is 29 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is higher than 71% of comparable companies, indicating a low value concerning Abbott Laboratories's sales levels. The same is valid for Price-to-Profit (also referred to as price-earnings, P/E) with a rank of 48 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profit levels is higher than 52% of comparable companies. In addition, Price-to-Book (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Book Rank of 30 is also low. Compared with invested capital, the stock price is higher than for 70% of comparable investments. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 59, is a buy recommendation based on Abbott Laboratories's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Should dividend investors pick Abbott Laboratories? The company-reported financials speak against it. The company is expensive compared with revenue and invested capital levels, two reliable company size indicators. In addition, it currently has a low level of profits. How can future dividends be paid in the case that profits remain low? Dividend investors should choose Abbott Laboratories only if they reasonably expect the low current profit levels to be transitory. ...read more



Growth Strategy: Abbott Laboratories Growth Momentum low

GROWTH METRICS September 26, 2024
REVENUE GROWTH
REVENUE GROWTH
PROFIT GROWTH
PROFIT GROWTH
CAPITAL GROWTH
CAPITAL GROWTH
STOCK RETURNS
STOCK RETURNS
CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH
CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 45 (better than 45% compared with alternatives), Abbott Laboratories shows a below-average growth dynamic in its industry. There is limited momentum in this company. The Growth Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with three out of four indicators below average for Abbott Laboratories. Sales Growth has a below market rank of 44, which means that, currently, professionals expect the company to grow less than 56% of its competitors. The same is valid for Capital Growth, with a rank of 34, and Profit Growth, with a rank of 45. Currently, professionals expect the company to grow its profits less than 55% of its competitors). Only shareholders are optimistic. Stock Returns are above average at a rank of 65, which means that the stock returns have recently been above 65% of alternative investments. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 45, is a hold recommendation for growth and momentum investors. That picture may be the result for a company that has reached the bottom. All went south for Abbott Laboratories, and it still looks bad, but some investors already see light at the end of the tunnel, rewarding the stock with recent above-market stock returns. It could also mean that investors are correcting an overreaction to negative news. If that were the case, the positive stock returns are not yet a sign of recovery. Investors should look closely at the Value and Sentiment indicators before they make a stock purchasing decision, because growth is unlikely to be the driving argument behind this investment. ...read more



Safety Strategy: Abbott Laboratories Debt Financing Safety very solid

SAFETY METRICS September 26, 2024
LEVERAGE
LEVERAGE
REFINANCING
REFINANCING
LIQUIDITY
LIQUIDITY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 84 (better than 84% compared with alternatives) for 2024, the company Abbott Laboratories has safe financing practices, which means that their overall debt burden is low. This doesn't mean that the business of Abbott Laboratories is safe, it only means that the company is on the safer side regarding possible bankruptcy, assuming that public reporting is correct. The Safety Rank is based on consolidating three financing indicators, with two out of three indicators above average for Abbott Laboratories. Leverage is at a rank of 60, meaning the company has a below-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has less debt than 60% of its competitors. Liquidity is also good at a rank of 93, meaning the company generates more profit to service its debt than 93% of its competitors. This indicates that the company is on the safer side when it comes to debt service. But Refinancing is lower at a rank of 11, which means that the portion of the debt that is about to be refinanced is above-average. It has more debt in the refinancing stage than 89% of its competitors. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 84 (better than 84% compared with alternatives), Abbott Laboratories has a financing structure that is significantly safer than that of its competitors. The refinancing issues could be a short-term problem, especially if the company has reputation issues. Banks and investors don't like to refinance debt if there are clouds on the horizon. For this reason, investors should look at the refinancing environment for Abbott Laboratories. Does it look safe that debt that is coming due can be covered with new debt? If that is the case, then the financing situation of the company is on the safer side. If not, it may be better to wait until refinancing has been completed and the Refinancing rank is good again. ...read more



Combined financial peformance: Abbott Laboratories Top Financial Performance

COMBINED PERFORMANCE September 26, 2024
VALUE
VALUE
GROWTH
GROWTH
SAFETY
SAFETY
COMBINED
COMBINED

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 88 (better than 88% compared with investment alternatives), Abbott Laboratories (Health Care Equipment, USA) shares have much better financial characteristics than comparable stocks. Shares of Abbott Laboratories are a good value (attractively priced) with a consolidated Value Rank of 59 (better than 59% of alternatives), are safely financed (Safety Rank of 84, which means low debt burdens), but show below-average growth (Growth Rank of 45). ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 88, is a strong buy recommendation based on Abbott Laboratories's financial characteristics. As the company Abbott Laboratories's key financial metrics exhibit good value (Obermatt Value Rank of 59) but low growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 45) while being safely financed (Obermatt Safety Rank of 84), it may be a safer investment because companies with low debt can better withstand times of crises. Yet the good value, better than 59% of comparable companies, may also indicate that the company's future is challenging. If you believe that low growth is temporary or just due to a specific current event, you may conclude that the good value of the stock provides an attractive investment opportunity and the downside is limited due to below-average financing risks. ...read more

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