Vectors Research Management LLC Buys New Stake in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT)

Vectors Research Management LLC bought a new position in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT - Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund bought 14,399 shares of the healthcare product maker's stock, valued at approximately $1,642,000.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Entropy Technologies LP purchased a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the 1st quarter worth $806,000. Mizuho Markets Americas LLC raised its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 93.5% during the 1st quarter. Mizuho Markets Americas LLC now owns 92,299 shares of the healthcare product maker's stock valued at $10,491,000 after buying an additional 44,593 shares in the last quarter. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC raised its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 25.8% during the 1st quarter. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC now owns 30,182 shares of the healthcare product maker's stock valued at $3,430,000 after buying an additional 6,194 shares in the last quarter. Nicolet Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 2.0% during the 1st quarter. Nicolet Advisory Services LLC now owns 30,153 shares of the healthcare product maker's stock valued at $3,390,000 after purchasing an additional 583 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Intech Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 84.5% during the 1st quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 32,123 shares of the healthcare product maker's stock valued at $3,651,000 after purchasing an additional 14,715 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 75.18% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Abbott Laboratories news, CEO Robert B. Ford sold 141,679 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $116.41, for a total value of $16,492,852.39. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 220,059 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $25,617,068.19. This represents a 39.17 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. 1.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:ABT traded up $0.87 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $115.90. The company's stock had a trading volume of 6,873,094 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,701,520. Abbott Laboratories has a twelve month low of $97.64 and a twelve month high of $121.64. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $115.49 and a 200 day moving average of $109.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $201.02 billion, a PE ratio of 35.00, a P/E/G ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.72.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 16th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.20 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $10.64 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $10.55 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 13.99% and a return on equity of 20.18%. Abbott Laboratories's revenue was up 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.14 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, October 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.55 per share. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.90%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, October 15th. Abbott Laboratories's payout ratio is currently 66.87%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

ABT has been the topic of several analyst reports. Edward Jones downgraded shares of Abbott Laboratories from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $143.00 to $149.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 8th. Mizuho upped their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $115.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $130.07.

Abbott Laboratories Company Profile

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Ménière's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.