New York, Jan 21, 2026, 13:17 EST — Regular session
- Shares edged higher at midday but trailed gains seen across the healthcare sector
- EU grants clearance for dual-energy ablation catheter; AtaCor inks deal focused on “extravascular” defibrillator
- Attention turns to Thursday’s quarterly report and the 2026 forecast
Shares of Abbott Laboratories ticked up 0.2% to $121.34 on Wednesday, trimming earlier volatility as traders braced for the company’s upcoming quarterly earnings report.
Timing is key. Abbott is set to report before Thursday’s opening bell, as traders eye new guidance for 2026 following a flurry of device news over the past day.
Abbott grabbed attention with news of fresh European clearance for an ablation catheter designed for heart-rhythm procedures, alongside a distinct partnership targeting a next-gen defibrillator implant.
Abbott trailed behind despite healthcare’s overall strength: the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund climbed roughly 1.2%, compared to a modest 0.2% advance for the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust. Medtronic gained around 1.2%, Johnson & Johnson slipped about 0.9%, and Boston Scientific edged up roughly 0.5%.
Abbott announced Tuesday it secured a CE Mark — a key European regulatory clearance — for its TactiFlex Duo ablation catheter, designed to treat atrial fibrillation, a common type of irregular heartbeat. The catheter delivers both radiofrequency energy (heat) and pulsed field ablation (PFA), which uses electrical pulses to target and disable cells. Christopher Piorkowski from Abbott described the device as “another advanced tool” aimed at tackling more complex cases. 1
Abbott is partnering with AtaCor Medical to create an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), a device designed to detect dangerous heart rhythms and deliver shocks to restore normal function. Their focus is on an “extravascular” model, which means the system is implanted outside the heart and blood vessels. Abbott’s Randel Woodgrift emphasized the company’s dedication to “advancing transformative therapies” in cardiac rhythm management. According to Fierce Biotech, this device will rival Medtronic’s Aurora EV-ICD, which gained approval in 2023. 2
Analysts tracking Thursday’s report are forecasting revenue near $11.8 billion with adjusted earnings around $1.49 per share, according to a StockStory preview from Finviz. The real market mover could be the guidance, particularly any insights on diabetes sensors and demand for procedure-based devices. 3
Abbott’s $21 billion cash acquisition of cancer-test maker Exact Sciences remains a key variable, as investors look closely for updates on timing and integration expenses. Exact Sciences shares edged slightly, holding at $102.40. 4
Risks linger on the horizon. A cautious outlook for 2026 or new quality-control issues with key franchises might pressure a stock that typically moves on steady delivery, not shocks. The FDA recently issued Class I recalls—the agency’s most severe—linked to some FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensors. 5
Abbott plans to release earnings before Thursday’s U.S. open and will follow up with a conference call at 9 a.m. Eastern. Investors will zero in on the initial results and guidance, especially for updates on the rollout speed of new heart devices and progress toward finalizing the Exact Sciences acquisition. 6
