AbbVie Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) heads into the post‑Christmas session with shares near recent highs after a strong 2025 run. U.S. exchanges were closed Thursday, Dec. 25 for Christmas, following an early close on Wednesday, Dec. 24, and markets are scheduled to reopen for a full trading day on Friday, Dec. 26. [1]
With the holiday break compressing headlines into fewer sessions—and year‑end positioning often amplifying short‑term moves—investors watching AbbVie stock ahead of the Dec. 26 open are focused on a few durable storylines:
- The post‑Humira transition is now about execution: can Skyrizi and Rinvoq keep offsetting Humira erosion while other franchises stabilize?
- Pipeline credibility matters more at this valuation: late‑2025 data drops and regulatory filings are shaping expectations for 2026–2027.
- Dividends remain a pillar of the thesis: AbbVie’s newly announced payout increase (effective with the February 2026 payment) keeps income investors engaged.
- Analyst targets are rising—but the “easy upside” may be narrowing after the rally.
Below is what to know before the bell on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025.
ABBV stock price check: where AbbVie shares stand heading into Dec. 26
AbbVie shares last traded in a holiday‑shortened session on Wednesday, Dec. 24, closing at $229.89 (with the day’s range roughly $228.98 to $230.80). [2]
That puts ABBV within reach of its 52‑week high around $244.81 (with a 52‑week low around $164.39), underscoring just how strong the move has been over the past year. [3]
By several widely followed performance trackers, AbbVie is up roughly the mid‑to‑high 20% range year‑to‑date in 2025, depending on the measurement date—an important context point because stocks that have already rallied sharply often need a fresh catalyst to break higher. [4]
Trading schedule note: NYSE core trading runs 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, and exchange calendars confirm markets were closed Dec. 25 after an early close Dec. 24, with a full session Dec. 26. [5]
The core AbbVie investment narrative in late 2025: post‑Humira, powered by Skyrizi and Rinvoq
AbbVie’s story since 2023 has been the same in headline form—Humira is shrinking after U.S. biosimilar competition—but the details have shifted in AbbVie’s favor as the company’s newer immunology drugs scale.
In its most recently reported quarter (Q3 2025), AbbVie posted:
- Net revenues:$15.776 billion (up 9.1% year over year)
- Adjusted diluted EPS:$1.86
- Skyrizi global net revenues:$4.708 billion
- Rinvoq global net revenues:$2.184 billion
- Humira global net revenues:$993 million (down 55%+) [6]
The revenue mix is the key: the company is no longer “Humira‑first.” Instead, the market increasingly values AbbVie as an immunology platform where Skyrizi + Rinvoq are the growth engine, supported by neuroscience and select oncology assets.
Earnings and guidance: what investors should focus on before the next report
AbbVie raised 2025 profit guidance—again—after Q3
On Oct. 31, AbbVie lifted its full‑year 2025 adjusted diluted EPS guidance to $10.61–$10.65, up from its prior range. [7]
One nuance: AbbVie’s GAAP EPS was heavily affected by acquired IPR&D and milestone expenses, which can swing reported profitability even when underlying product demand is strong. The company explicitly flagged these items as a major per‑share headwind in 2025. [8]
When is the next earnings catalyst?
Consensus calendars broadly point to AbbVie’s next report (for the quarter ending Dec. 2025) in late January 2026, with some market calendars listing Jan. 30, 2026 (before market open) as an expected date. (As always, treat dates on third‑party calendars as subject to change until confirmed by the company.) [9]
Late‑2025 news that matters for ABBV: approvals, filings, and data readouts
Holiday weeks can be quiet for fresh corporate releases, but AbbVie has had several meaningful updates in the last 60–90 days that continue to shape forecasts.
1) Migraine franchise momentum: atogepant (Qulipta/Aquipta) Phase 3 ECLIPSE data
On Dec. 1, AbbVie highlighted Phase 3 ECLIPSE results for atogepant (AQUIPTA® in the EU) in acute migraine treatment, including superiority vs. placebo on pain freedom at two hours, and noted an application to the European Medicines Agency for expanded use. [10]
Why it matters for the stock: migraine is a large market, and incremental indications can extend growth in AbbVie’s neuroscience portfolio alongside assets like Botox Therapeutic.
2) Oncology: EPKINLY expansion and ASH 2025 data flow
AbbVie announced U.S. FDA approval of EPKINLY (epcoritamab) in combination with rituximab and lenalidomide for relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma in November, expanding its footprint in hematologic malignancies. [11]
Then on Dec. 2, AbbVie previewed a broader set of ASH 2025 presentations, including data across investigational compounds such as etentamig (ABBV‑383) and pivekimab sunirine (PVEK) and continued work on EPKINLY and VENCLEXTA. [12]
Why it matters: AbbVie’s oncology segment has faced competitive pressure in mature drugs (notably Imbruvica), so investors watch whether newer hematology assets can improve the medium‑term revenue mix.
3) Dermatology/immune expansion: Rinvoq vitiligo Phase 3 topline results
In late October, AbbVie reported positive topline Phase 3 results evaluating Rinvoq in adults and adolescents with vitiligo, reinforcing the market view that Rinvoq’s commercial opportunity could expand beyond its current base. [13]
4) Neuroscience pipeline: Tavapadon NDA filing for Parkinson’s disease
AbbVie said it submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. FDA for tavapadon, a once‑daily oral treatment studied across Phase 3 TEMPO trials in Parkinson’s disease. [14]
Why it matters: AbbVie’s longer‑term growth profile increasingly depends on layering new products on top of today’s blockbusters. A credible Parkinson’s launch path is material to 2026–2028 expectations.
Rinvoq patents and exclusivity: why September’s settlement still echoes into December
One of the most market‑moving AbbVie developments in 2025 wasn’t a trial result—it was legal certainty.
Reuters reported in September that AbbVie shares hit an all‑time high after news that Rinvoq would retain U.S. market exclusivity until 2037, extending protection and pushing out generic competition timelines. [15]
The Wall Street Journal also reported on settlements with generic drugmakers that could delay competition for Rinvoq until April 2037 (with the precise timing depending on the terms and regulatory exclusivities). [16]
Why investors care:
- AbbVie is widely viewed as being in a “bridge period” between the Humira era and the mid‑2030s patent cliff.
- More time for Rinvoq reduces the urgency—and risk—around finding the next multi‑billion‑dollar product.
- Analysts cited in coverage have suggested the extension could lift Rinvoq peak‑sales potential. [17]
Separately, Reuters also reported on a head‑to‑head study where Rinvoq outperformed Humira in rheumatoid arthritis outcomes—supportive data for continued adoption. [18]
Dividend watch: AbbVie’s payout is rising again in 2026
For many investors, ABBV isn’t just a growth transition story—it’s an income stock with a long dividend track record.
AbbVie announced it would raise its quarterly cash dividend from $1.64 to $1.73 per share, beginning with the dividend payable Feb. 17, 2026 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 16, 2026. [19]
Based on third‑party dividend trackers, that implies an annualized payout of $6.92, which at roughly $229.89 per share is a yield around 3%. [20]
Important nuance: exact ex‑dividend timing can vary by settlement rules and exchange processing, so income investors typically confirm the ex‑div date with their broker or an exchange‑recognized calendar closer to January. (The record/pay dates above are directly from AbbVie’s announcement.) [21]
Analyst forecasts and Wall Street sentiment: what price targets imply now
With ABBV near $230, the market is asking a different question than it did at $170: not “will AbbVie survive Humira’s decline?” but “how much upside is left after the rerating?”
Here’s what widely referenced analyst‑consensus sources suggest:
- Average targets in the mid‑$240s are common across aggregators, implying mid‑single‑digit to high‑single‑digit upside over the next 12 months. [22]
- Target ranges remain wide—lows around $190 and highs near $289 appear in multiple compilations. [23]
Recent rating changes to know
In December, several outlets reported notable moves including:
- HSBC upgrading AbbVie to Buy and raising its price target to $265. [24]
- Morgan Stanley reiterating an overweight stance while lifting its target (reported by third‑party tracking services). [25]
Takeaway: the Street is not uniformly “bearish” on ABBV—but as targets rise alongside the stock, the upside implied by consensus can compress unless new fundamentals accelerate.
The bull case vs. the bear case for ABBV into early 2026
What supports AbbVie stock from here
1) Immunology execution remains strong. Q3 showed Skyrizi and Rinvoq continuing to grow while Humira shrinks—exactly the handoff investors wanted to see. [26]
2) Pipeline cadence is active. Between oncology data (ASH), migraine expansion work, and the Parkinson’s NDA, AbbVie is building multiple “next‑chapter” options. [27]
3) Patent clarity reduces a major overhang. The Rinvoq exclusivity timeline toward 2037 is a meaningful strategic win in the eyes of many investors. [28]
4) Dividend growth keeps a bid under the stock. For income‑focused portfolios, a rising payout can matter as much as near‑term EPS volatility. [29]
What could pressure ABBV
1) Aesthetics remains choppy. AbbVie’s Aesthetics segment declined in Q3, and the company has faced macro headwinds in that franchise according to research summaries. [30]
2) Mature oncology exposure still weighs. Q3 oncology revenue was slightly down, with Imbruvica continuing to decline—meaning newer oncology wins have to scale fast to change the narrative. [31]
3) GAAP volatility from deal‑related charges can confuse the headline story. AbbVie’s acquired IPR&D and milestone expenses have been material enough to distort GAAP results, even when adjusted performance looks solid. [32]
4) Policy and pricing noise is a persistent risk for the sector. Reuters noted drug‑pricing pressure and policy discussions in 2025 that can affect sentiment across large pharma names, including AbbVie. [33]
What to watch specifically before the market opens Friday, Dec. 26, 2025
If you’re tracking ABBV into the reopening session, these are the most practical “morning checklist” items:
- Any overnight AbbVie press releases (pipeline, regulatory, clinical, legal). Even a single update can move a stock in a thin holiday tape. [34]
- Analyst notes and target changes following December upgrades (HSBC and others). [35]
- Index and sector tone: the broader market has been in a year‑end rally mode, and Dec. 26 is often discussed as a notable session for U.S. equities when markets are open. [36]
- Looking ahead to late‑January earnings: guidance updates, estimate revisions, and any new commentary around Skyrizi/Rinvoq trajectories tend to matter more than day‑to‑day noise. [37]
Bottom line for ABBV heading into Dec. 26
AbbVie enters the Dec. 26 open near $230 with investors largely rewarding a smoother‑than‑feared post‑Humira transition, reinforced by Skyrizi and Rinvoq growth and strengthened by the 2037 Rinvoq exclusivity narrative. [38]
The next leg for ABBV—especially after a mid‑to‑high‑20% 2025 climb—likely depends on whether AbbVie can keep stacking new growth layers (oncology and neuroscience catalysts, plus additional immunology expansion) while maintaining pricing power and managing optics around acquisition‑related charges. [39]
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Markets involve risk, including the possible loss of principal.
References
1. www.reuters.com, 2. www.marketwatch.com, 3. www.macrotrends.net, 4. simplywall.st, 5. www.nyse.com, 6. news.abbvie.com, 7. news.abbvie.com, 8. news.abbvie.com, 9. www.marketbeat.com, 10. news.abbvie.com, 11. news.abbvie.com, 12. news.abbvie.com, 13. news.abbvie.com, 14. news.abbvie.com, 15. www.reuters.com, 16. www.wsj.com, 17. www.reuters.com, 18. www.reuters.com, 19. news.abbvie.com, 20. stockanalysis.com, 21. news.abbvie.com, 22. www.marketbeat.com, 23. www.benzinga.com, 24. seekingalpha.com, 25. www.gurufocus.com, 26. news.abbvie.com, 27. news.abbvie.com, 28. www.reuters.com, 29. news.abbvie.com, 30. news.abbvie.com, 31. news.abbvie.com, 32. news.abbvie.com, 33. www.reuters.com, 34. news.abbvie.com, 35. seekingalpha.com, 36. www.marketwatch.com, 37. www.nasdaq.com, 38. news.abbvie.com, 39. simplywall.st
