Abbott Labs Stock Price, News & Analysis

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) has declared its 403rd consecutive quarterly dividend of 55 cents per share. The dividend will be payable on Nov. 15, 2024, to shareholders of record as of Oct. 15, 2024. This announcement marks a significant milestone in Abbott's history of consistent dividend payments since 1924.

The company has demonstrated a remarkable track record of increasing its dividend payout for 52 consecutive years. This achievement has earned Abbott a place in the prestigious S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index, which recognizes companies that have raised their dividends annually for at least 25 consecutive years.

Abbott's 2023 Global Sustainability Report highlights progress towards its 2030 Sustainability Plan goals, focusing on expanding health access and improving lives globally. Key achievements include:

1. Introducing the world's first dual-chamber leadless pacemaker system, expanding access to millions.
2. Partnering with mAbxience to increase access to biosimilar medicines in emerging markets.
3. Expanding emergency medicine reach to 1.3 million people in Tanzania.
4. Achieving a 7% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions.
5. Reducing overall water use by 3% and certifying four sites with Alliance for Water Stewardship.
6. Increasing sites with zero waste to landfill to 53 globally.
7. Doubling goals for creating development and job opportunities, including STEM programs for young people.

Abbott continues to integrate sustainability principles across its business to innovate for greater access and affordability in healthcare.

Abbott has launched Lingo™, a continuous glucose monitoring system available without prescription in the U.S. for consumers interested in improving overall health and wellness. Based on Abbott's FreeStyle Libre® technology, Lingo includes a biosensor worn on the arm for up to 14 days and a mobile app that provides real-time glucose data and personal coaching insights.

Lingo aims to help users build healthy habits, retrain their metabolism, and improve well-being by tracking glucose 24/7. The system offers features such as a glucose graph, Lingo Count™ metric, food and activity logging, personal insights, and challenges. Available for adults 18+ not on insulin, Lingo comes in three options: Learn (2 weeks), Build (4 weeks), and Transform (12 weeks), priced at $49, $89, and $249 respectively.

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) has initiated the TRANSCEND study, a pivotal clinical trial evaluating the use of its deep brain stimulation (DBS) system for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The U.S. FDA granted Abbott Breakthrough Device designation for this research. TRD affects approximately 2.8 million Americans annually, with up to a third of major depressive disorder patients experiencing treatment resistance.

DBS works like a pacemaker, sending targeted electrical pulses to specific brain areas to relieve symptoms. Previous open-label studies have shown at least a 50% sustained improvement in depression symptoms for three out of four people over two to eight years. The TRANSCEND study aims to gather evidence on the impact of neurostimulation for TRD patients who have not responded to conventional treatments.

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) has expanded its Pure Bliss™ by Similac® line of infant formulas to include organic and European-made products. The new offerings include:

• Pure Bliss Organic: USDA-certified organic formula available in powder and liquid forms
• Pure Bliss Organic with A2 Milk: USDA-certified organic formula using milk from select cows producing A2 beta-casein protein
• Pure Bliss Irish Farms: Made in Ireland with fresh milk from Irish cows

Notably, Pure Bliss Organic in 2-fluid ounce ready-to-feed bottles is the only USDA-certified organic liquid infant formula available in select U.S. retail stores. These products aim to meet diverse parental preferences for infant nutrition, offering options that are organic, European-made, and easy to digest. The expanded line is available at Amazon, Target, and Walmart.

Abbott Fund's scholarship program at the University of the Pacific is training future healthcare workers to combat diabetes in their communities. The program offers master's degrees for nurses and social workers with specialization in diabetes management, as well as certificate programs for frontline workers. Graduates like Harry Ma, Alex Marapao, and Ana Garcia are now making a difference in their hometown of Stockton, California.

The program aims to strengthen the pipeline of homegrown healthcare workers and address the growing costs of diabetes, which reached $412.9 billion in the U.S. in 2022. Scholars commit to working in the local healthcare system for at least two years after graduation, applying their specialized knowledge to improve patient care and outcomes.

Abbott has partnered with local organizations in Stockton, Calif. since 2019 to fight diabetes through a community-led management program. The initiative includes health screenings for over 1,400 residents, a 'food as medicine' program lowering HbA1c levels, and free transportation to medical appointments. Scholarships from the Abbott Fund support local healthcare students specializing in diabetes. Results indicate significant improvements in residents' health, with the program showing a decrease in HbA1c levels by 0.8% on average. The initiative demonstrates the power of community collaboration in addressing chronic diseases.

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) has announced a global partnership with Medtronic to integrate Abbott's FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology with Medtronic's automated insulin delivery (AID) and smart insulin pen systems. This collaboration aims to improve health outcomes and reduce the burden of decision-making for people with diabetes who use intensive insulin therapy.

The partnership involves developing a CGM sensor based on Abbott's advanced Libre technology, designed exclusively for Medtronic devices. This integration will enable automatic adjustments of insulin to maintain glucose levels within the desired range. The new CGM sensor will be developed by Abbott but sold by Medtronic.

This alliance marks Abbott's fourth partnership with major insulin delivery system developers, expanding choices for people worldwide to benefit from Libre technology connectivity. The collaboration targets the estimated 11 million people globally who require multiple daily insulin injections, including those with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Cadrenal Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CVKD) has initiated discussions with Abbott (NYSE: ABT) regarding a planned pivotal study of tecarfarin in patients with recently implanted Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs). Tecarfarin, a late-stage anticoagulant, received FDA Orphan Drug Designation in April 2024 for preventing blood clots and strokes in patients with implanted mechanical circulatory support devices. The collaboration focuses on improving anticoagulation treatment for HeartMate 3™ LVAD patients, currently the only LVAD available in the United States.

A recent analysis of the ARIES-HM3 study by Abbott highlighted that high-quality anticoagulation can further enhance outcomes with the HeartMate 3 LVAD. Prior clinical studies suggest that tecarfarin may provide improved anticoagulation quality, particularly in patients on multiple medications or with impaired renal function, both common in LVAD patients.