Defensive Stocks to Strengthen Your Portfolio
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 22 2026
0mins
Should l Buy ABT?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Abbott's Diversification Advantage: Abbott Laboratories operates across four business units—medical devices, diagnostics, nutrition, and established pharmaceuticals—allowing it to maintain stable revenue growth during economic fluctuations, with diagnostics revenue surging during the pandemic and now driven by medical devices.
- Consistent Dividend Growth: As a Dividend King, Abbott has increased its dividend payments for over 50 consecutive years, providing investors with a reliable source of passive income that mitigates the impact of market downturns on their portfolios.
- Intuitive Surgical's Competitive Edge: As the global leader in robotic surgery, Intuitive Surgical's Da Vinci surgical robots command a high price, ensuring hospitals remain loyal to these devices to amortize their investment, thereby creating a strong market moat.
- Recurring Revenue Model: Intuitive Surgical generates most of its revenue from the sale of accessories and instruments needed for surgeries, establishing a recurring revenue stream that helps maintain financial stability during market downturns and reinforces its leadership position in the healthcare sector.
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Analyst Views on ABT
Wall Street analysts forecast ABT stock price to rise
19 Analyst Rating
17 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 103.990
Low
136.00
Averages
148.11
High
169.00
Current: 103.990
Low
136.00
Averages
148.11
High
169.00
About ABT
Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare company. The Company’s principal business is the discovery, development, manufacture, and sale of a broad and diversified line of healthcare products. Its segments include Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. Established Pharmaceutical Products segment is engaged in the international sales of a broad line of branded generic pharmaceutical products. Diagnostic Products segment is involved in the worldwide sales of diagnostic systems and tests for blood banks, hospitals, commercial laboratories and alternate-care testing sites. Nutritional Products segment is engaged in the worldwide sales of a broad line of adult and pediatric nutritional products. Medical Devices segment is involved in the worldwide sales of rhythm management, electrophysiology, heart failure, vascular, structural heart, neuromodulation and diabetes care products. It serves people in more than 160 countries.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Abbott Integrates Precision Oncology Solutions with Flatiron Health
- Precision Oncology Integration: Abbott and Flatiron Health announced the integration of Abbott's Precision Oncology portfolio into the OncoEMR platform, enabling oncology providers to digitally order Abbott tests within their existing clinical workflows, enhancing treatment decision efficiency.
- Increased Test Accessibility: This integration allows access to Abbott's Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score, OncoExTra, Oncodetect, and Riskguard tests across Flatiron's network of over 1,600 community cancer care centers, covering 4,700 providers and significantly improving patient access to testing.
- Administrative Burden Reduction: The integration enables clinicians to receive status updates and results directly within OncoEMR, thereby reducing administrative burdens and allowing healthcare professionals to focus more on patient care, ultimately enhancing the quality of healthcare services.
- Accelerated Treatment Decisions: The collaboration between Abbott and Flatiron aims to remove key barriers in community oncology practices, accelerating treatment decision-making processes and facilitating personalized patient care, aligning with the modern healthcare demand for data-driven solutions.
See More
Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF Reconstitution Boosts Healthcare Allocation
- Annual Reconstitution Update: The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF has optimized its portfolio through the deletion of 22 stocks and the addition of 25 new stocks in its latest annual reconstitution, ensuring it holds the top 100 high-yield dividend stocks and enhancing overall portfolio quality.
- Increased Healthcare Allocation: Following the reconstitution, the allocation to the healthcare sector has risen from 15.4% to 18.9%, with UnitedHealth and Abbott Laboratories joining the top ten holdings at 4% and 3.95% respectively, thereby strengthening the fund's investment in the healthcare sector.
- Dividend Growth Potential: While the overall dividend yield of the ETF remains at 3.4% post-reconstitution, the new holdings boast a higher average five-year dividend growth rate of 9.4%, which is expected to generate greater long-term income for investors, enhancing the fund's appeal.
- Strong Dividend Track Record: Both UnitedHealth and Abbott Laboratories have impressive dividend growth records, with the former increasing dividends by 52% over the past five years and the latter by 40%, providing investors with a stable income source and further solidifying the ETF's investment value.
See More
Schwab U.S. Dividend ETF Reconstitutes, Increases Healthcare Holdings
- Healthcare Stock Increase: The Schwab U.S. Dividend ETF's recent annual reconstitution added two healthcare stocks, raising the sector's allocation from 15.4% to 18.9%, making it the second-largest sector, indicating a strategic focus on the growth potential of healthcare.
- High-Yield Stock Selection: During this reconstitution, UnitedHealth and Abbott Laboratories were added to the top ten holdings with allocations of 4% and 3.95%, respectively, reflecting the fund's preference for high-yield healthcare stocks, which is expected to enhance long-term investor returns.
- Dividend Growth Potential: The new holdings have an average dividend growth rate of 9.4%, surpassing the pre-reconstitution rate of 8.6%, and while the overall yield remains at 3.4%, the faster growth rate could lead to higher total returns for investors in the future.
- Strong Dividend Records: Both UnitedHealth and Abbott have robust dividend growth histories, with the former increasing its dividend by 52% over the past five years and the latter by 40%, showcasing the attractiveness and stability of the healthcare sector in dividend investing.
See More
Abbott to Announce Q1 2026 Financial Results on April 16
- Earnings Announcement Schedule: Abbott is set to release its Q1 2026 financial results on April 16 before market open, reflecting the company's commitment to transparency and investor communication.
- Live Conference Call: Following the earnings release, Abbott will host a conference call at 8 a.m. Central Time (9 a.m. Eastern), providing an interactive platform for investors to engage with the company's performance.
- Investor Relations Platform: The conference call will be accessible via Abbott's Investor Relations website, ensuring that global investors can easily access the latest information, thereby enhancing the company's image in the capital markets.
- Company Background: Abbott is a global healthcare leader dedicated to helping people live fully at all stages of life, with a diverse portfolio in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals, and branded generic medicines.
See More
Abbott to Announce Q1 2026 Financial Results on April 16
- Earnings Announcement Schedule: Abbott is set to release its Q1 2026 financial results on April 16 before market open, reflecting the company's commitment to transparency and investor communication.
- Live Webcast Conference: Following the earnings announcement, Abbott will host a conference call at 8 a.m. Central Time (9 a.m. Eastern), allowing investors to engage directly through Abbott's Investor Relations website, enhancing investor interaction.
- Replay Availability: An archived version of the conference call will be made available later that day, ensuring that investors who cannot attend live can still access critical information, thereby improving information accessibility.
- Company Background: Abbott is a global healthcare leader focused on helping people live fully at all stages of life, with a diverse portfolio in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals, and branded generic medicines, showcasing its significant impact in the global healthcare market.
See More
Abbott Acquires Exact Sciences, Strengthening Leadership in Cancer Screening
- Acquisition Completed: Abbott announced the completion of its acquisition of Exact Sciences on March 20, 2026, establishing itself as a leader in the cancer screening and diagnostics sector, which is expected to enhance healthcare access for millions and strategically position the company in a rapidly growing market.
- Market Potential: This transaction allows Abbott to enter the $60 billion U.S. cancer screening and precision oncology diagnostics market, adding a new growth vertical that is anticipated to elevate the company's already high-single-digit growth expectations and strengthen its competitive edge.
- Expanded Product Portfolio: Abbott now boasts a comprehensive suite of leading cancer early detection products, including the market-leading Cologuard® and Oncotype DX®, which will support personalized treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
- Future Development Outlook: Following the acquisition, Abbott plans to leverage Exact Sciences' expertise to drive the development of more preventative and personalized diagnostic tools, aiming to optimize treatment decisions and enable earlier cancer detection, thereby enhancing overall health management capabilities.
See More
Abbott Integrates Precision Oncology Solutions with Flatiron Health
- Precision Oncology Integration: Abbott and Flatiron Health announced the integration of Abbott's Precision Oncology portfolio into the OncoEMR platform, enabling oncology providers to digitally order Abbott tests within their existing clinical workflows, enhancing treatment decision efficiency.
- Increased Test Accessibility: This integration allows access to Abbott's Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score, OncoExTra, Oncodetect, and Riskguard tests across Flatiron's network of over 1,600 community cancer care centers, covering 4,700 providers and significantly improving patient access to testing.
- Administrative Burden Reduction: The integration enables clinicians to receive status updates and results directly within OncoEMR, thereby reducing administrative burdens and allowing healthcare professionals to focus more on patient care, ultimately enhancing the quality of healthcare services.
- Accelerated Treatment Decisions: The collaboration between Abbott and Flatiron aims to remove key barriers in community oncology practices, accelerating treatment decision-making processes and facilitating personalized patient care, aligning with the modern healthcare demand for data-driven solutions.
See More
Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF Reconstitution Boosts Healthcare Allocation
- Annual Reconstitution Update: The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF has optimized its portfolio through the deletion of 22 stocks and the addition of 25 new stocks in its latest annual reconstitution, ensuring it holds the top 100 high-yield dividend stocks and enhancing overall portfolio quality.
- Increased Healthcare Allocation: Following the reconstitution, the allocation to the healthcare sector has risen from 15.4% to 18.9%, with UnitedHealth and Abbott Laboratories joining the top ten holdings at 4% and 3.95% respectively, thereby strengthening the fund's investment in the healthcare sector.
- Dividend Growth Potential: While the overall dividend yield of the ETF remains at 3.4% post-reconstitution, the new holdings boast a higher average five-year dividend growth rate of 9.4%, which is expected to generate greater long-term income for investors, enhancing the fund's appeal.
- Strong Dividend Track Record: Both UnitedHealth and Abbott Laboratories have impressive dividend growth records, with the former increasing dividends by 52% over the past five years and the latter by 40%, providing investors with a stable income source and further solidifying the ETF's investment value.
See More
Schwab U.S. Dividend ETF Reconstitutes, Increases Healthcare Holdings
- Healthcare Stock Increase: The Schwab U.S. Dividend ETF's recent annual reconstitution added two healthcare stocks, raising the sector's allocation from 15.4% to 18.9%, making it the second-largest sector, indicating a strategic focus on the growth potential of healthcare.
- High-Yield Stock Selection: During this reconstitution, UnitedHealth and Abbott Laboratories were added to the top ten holdings with allocations of 4% and 3.95%, respectively, reflecting the fund's preference for high-yield healthcare stocks, which is expected to enhance long-term investor returns.
- Dividend Growth Potential: The new holdings have an average dividend growth rate of 9.4%, surpassing the pre-reconstitution rate of 8.6%, and while the overall yield remains at 3.4%, the faster growth rate could lead to higher total returns for investors in the future.
- Strong Dividend Records: Both UnitedHealth and Abbott have robust dividend growth histories, with the former increasing its dividend by 52% over the past five years and the latter by 40%, showcasing the attractiveness and stability of the healthcare sector in dividend investing.
See More
Abbott to Announce Q1 2026 Financial Results on April 16
- Earnings Announcement Schedule: Abbott is set to release its Q1 2026 financial results on April 16 before market open, reflecting the company's commitment to transparency and investor communication.
- Live Conference Call: Following the earnings release, Abbott will host a conference call at 8 a.m. Central Time (9 a.m. Eastern), providing an interactive platform for investors to engage with the company's performance.
- Investor Relations Platform: The conference call will be accessible via Abbott's Investor Relations website, ensuring that global investors can easily access the latest information, thereby enhancing the company's image in the capital markets.
- Company Background: Abbott is a global healthcare leader dedicated to helping people live fully at all stages of life, with a diverse portfolio in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals, and branded generic medicines.
See More
Abbott to Announce Q1 2026 Financial Results on April 16
- Earnings Announcement Schedule: Abbott is set to release its Q1 2026 financial results on April 16 before market open, reflecting the company's commitment to transparency and investor communication.
- Live Webcast Conference: Following the earnings announcement, Abbott will host a conference call at 8 a.m. Central Time (9 a.m. Eastern), allowing investors to engage directly through Abbott's Investor Relations website, enhancing investor interaction.
- Replay Availability: An archived version of the conference call will be made available later that day, ensuring that investors who cannot attend live can still access critical information, thereby improving information accessibility.
- Company Background: Abbott is a global healthcare leader focused on helping people live fully at all stages of life, with a diverse portfolio in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals, and branded generic medicines, showcasing its significant impact in the global healthcare market.
See More
Abbott Acquires Exact Sciences, Strengthening Leadership in Cancer Screening
- Acquisition Completed: Abbott announced the completion of its acquisition of Exact Sciences on March 20, 2026, establishing itself as a leader in the cancer screening and diagnostics sector, which is expected to enhance healthcare access for millions and strategically position the company in a rapidly growing market.
- Market Potential: This transaction allows Abbott to enter the $60 billion U.S. cancer screening and precision oncology diagnostics market, adding a new growth vertical that is anticipated to elevate the company's already high-single-digit growth expectations and strengthen its competitive edge.
- Expanded Product Portfolio: Abbott now boasts a comprehensive suite of leading cancer early detection products, including the market-leading Cologuard® and Oncotype DX®, which will support personalized treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
- Future Development Outlook: Following the acquisition, Abbott plans to leverage Exact Sciences' expertise to drive the development of more preventative and personalized diagnostic tools, aiming to optimize treatment decisions and enable earlier cancer detection, thereby enhancing overall health management capabilities.
See More
