Dec. 25, 2025 — Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) heads into the year-end stretch with a rare mix of near-term product momentum and headline-level risk management. Over the past several weeks—culminating in key December announcements—Abbott has (1) secured U.S. FDA approval for a next-generation atrial fibrillation ablation platform, (2) expanded its push into consumer biowearables, (3) navigated an FDA early alert tied to certain FreeStyle Libre sensors, and (4) doubled down on its diagnostics ambitions with a planned ~$23 billion enterprise-value acquisition of Exact Sciences.
With U.S. markets closed for Christmas Day, investors are largely assessing Abbott based on its most recent closing levels and the flow of late-December regulatory and corporate updates. Shares last closed around the mid-$120s in the final pre-holiday session. [1]
Below is a complete, as-of-Dec. 25, 2025 breakdown of the biggest Abbott storylines, the current forecast landscape, and what analysts and investors are likely to focus on into early 2026.
The headline catalyst: FDA approval puts Abbott’s Volt PFA into the U.S. AFib race
Abbott’s most consequential late-December catalyst is the FDA approval of the Volt™ Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) System to treat patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib). Abbott says Volt is designed to simplify treatment by combining mapping, pacing, and ablation capabilities and integrating with its EnSite™ X EP System, aiming to reduce catheter exchanges during procedures. [2]
The company’s announcement positions Abbott to compete more directly in the fast-growing PFA segment of electrophysiology—an area where rivals including Medtronic, Boston Scientific, and Johnson & Johnson have also been active. Independent industry coverage of the approval emphasized that Abbott is now entering a competitive U.S. market after competitors launched PFA systems in recent years. [3]
What matters for investors:
- Commercial timing: Abbott said it will “soon” begin commercial PFA cases in the United States and continue EU expansion following CE Mark clearance earlier in 2025. [4]
- Clinical footprint: FDA approval was supported by Abbott’s VOLT‑AF IDE study (392 patients across 40 centers, spanning the U.S., Europe, Canada, and Australia), with Abbott highlighting performance across paroxysmal and persistent AFib patient groups. [5]
- Procedure workflow and differentiation: Abbott’s messaging stresses workflow efficiency and the option of conscious sedation in some cases—an angle Abbott and industry reporters highlighted as a practical differentiator. [6]
Abbott also framed the addressable need aggressively, citing estimates of roughly 12 million Americans over 65 living with AFib and projecting that figure could double over the next 20 years. [7]
Another cardiovascular win: Piccolo Delivery System cleared for the tiniest patients
Abbott also used December to reinforce its cardiovascular device cadence. The company announced FDA clearance and CE Mark for its Amplatzer Piccolo™ Delivery System, designed specifically to deliver the Amplatzer Piccolo Occluder to close a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)—a potentially life-threatening opening in the heart—particularly in premature infants. [8]
Abbott noted the PDA clinical burden in premature infants and positioned the new delivery system as a procedure-optimization tool focused on precision and reduced complexity. [9]
Industry coverage highlighted the strategic importance: while PDA is rare in full-term births, it can affect a meaningful portion of very low-birthweight infants, and the delivery system is framed as an iteration informed by physician feedback and real-world experience. [10]
Consumer health and biowearables: Lingo expands to Android to widen access
Beyond hospital-based devices, Abbott has continued building a bridge between its medical-grade glucose monitoring heritage and consumer wellness.
In early December, Abbott announced that Lingo™, its over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and app, is now available on Android—expanding beyond Apple iOS and aiming to “give millions more people access to real-time glucose data.” [11]
Abbott positioned Lingo as a tool for adults not on insulin who want to understand how food, movement, and stress affect glucose in real time, tying the product to broader “metabolic health” narratives that play well in consumer discovery channels. [12]
Why this matters for the stock narrative: Abbott’s diabetes franchise is already a major growth engine; consumer expansions like Lingo potentially widen Abbott’s funnel beyond prescribed CGM users—though the commercial impact depends on adoption, recurring demand, and how Abbott balances consumer marketing with clinical reputation.
The risk story investors can’t ignore: FreeStyle Libre 3/3 Plus sensor correction and FDA early alert
The most sensitive Abbott storyline heading into 2026 remains the device correction affecting a subset of FreeStyle Libre 3 and FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensors in the U.S.
Abbott said internal testing found that some sensors may provide incorrect low glucose readings, which—if undetected—could contribute to incorrect treatment decisions (for example, unnecessary carbohydrate intake or delaying insulin), potentially posing serious health risks. [13]
Key details Abbott provided:
- The issue was linked to one production line among several producing Libre 3 and Libre 3 Plus sensors. [14]
- Abbott estimated the action involved about 3 million sensors in the U.S. from that production line, with roughly half estimated to have expired or been used. [15]
- Abbott reported 736 severe/serious adverse events and seven deaths “potentially associated” with the issue (Abbott stated none of the deaths were in the U.S.). [16]
- Abbott said it had identified and resolved the manufacturing issue and did not expect significant supply disruptions, while continuing production to fulfill replacement and new orders. [17]
The FDA posted an Early Alert (content current as of Dec. 2, 2025) stating it was aware Abbott had issued communications recommending certain sensors be removed from use or sale and instructing patients to verify whether their sensors are impacted and discontinue use if confirmed. [18]
What to watch next: For a company whose diabetes platform is both a growth driver and a brand pillar, investor attention often turns to (1) whether the field action expands, (2) how quickly replacement logistics stabilize, and (3) whether reputational effects show up in diabetes segment momentum.
The biggest strategic swing: Abbott’s planned Exact Sciences acquisition and what it signals
Abbott’s most consequential strategic move of late 2025 is its plan to acquire Exact Sciences—a deal Abbott has framed as entry into a high-growth vertical spanning cancer screening and precision oncology diagnostics.
Deal terms, timing, and financing
Abbott disclosed in an SEC filing that, under the merger agreement, Exact Sciences shareholders would receive $105.00 per share in cash (subject to customary terms), with closing conditions including shareholder approval and regulatory clearances. [19]
In its investor presentation filed as Exhibit 99.2, Abbott described:
- Equity purchase price: about $21 billion
- Enterprise value: about $23 billion
- Expected closing:2Q 2026 (subject to conditions)
- Financing: mix of cash on hand and debt; Abbott expects to maintain investment-grade ratings, with an initial gross debt-to-EBITDA ratio ~2.7x after closing [20]
Abbott’s 8-K also referenced a commitment letter for up to $20 billion of senior unsecured bridge loans with Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., tied to the transaction. [21]
Expected synergies and earnings impact
Abbott’s presentation is explicit about the near-term math:
- At least $100 million in annual pre-tax synergies by 2028
- Dilutive to adjusted EPS through 2027, with Abbott estimating ($0.20) in 2026 and ($0.16) in 2027; expected to become accretive in 2028 and beyond [22]
Why Abbott wants the deal
Reuters characterized the transaction as Abbott’s largest in nearly a decade and a major move into cancer screening—adding Exact’s products including Cologuard and Oncotype DX—as Abbott works to strengthen its diagnostics mix after pandemic-era COVID testing demand faded. [23]
But Reuters also highlighted that analysts were not unanimously convinced on strategic fit, noting concerns around Abbott’s lack of an existing oncology segment and potential short-term earnings pressure. [24]
How to interpret it (as of Dec. 25):
Abbott is effectively betting that the market will look through near-term dilution and reward the company for owning a broader diagnostics platform—one that reaches deeper into primary care and cancer-care decision pathways.
Fundamentals check: Abbott’s latest reported performance and 2025 guidance
Abbott’s most recent quarterly update (as of Dec. 25) remains its third-quarter 2025 report and guidance reaffirmation.
In its October update, Abbott reported:
- Base business organic sales growth:7.5%
- Adjusted diluted EPS:$1.30 (GAAP diluted EPS $0.94)
- Full-year 2025 guidance reaffirmed, maintaining the underlying base business organic sales growth range of 7.5% to 8.0%
- 2025 EPS guidance range narrowed to $5.12 to $5.18 [25]
Abbott also reported $11.4 billion in worldwide sales for the quarter and described strength across multiple Medical Devices segments, including diabetes care and electrophysiology. [26]
For investors, that matters because Abbott is now layering major corporate actions (Exact Sciences) and new product ramps (Volt PFA) onto an already solid growth base—while simultaneously managing a high-visibility diabetes device correction.
Stock snapshot: where ABT stands heading into year-end
Because U.S. markets are closed on Dec. 25, the cleanest “as-of” reference point is the most recent close.
Recent sessions showed Abbott trading around the mid-$120s, including a Dec. 24, 2025 close near $124.81. [27]
This range matters for how investors frame “upside” versus analyst targets and how sensitive the stock may be to early-2026 catalysts (commercial PFA ramp updates, regulatory progress on the Exact Sciences transaction, and any further FDA updates on Libre sensors).
Forecasts and analyst outlook: what the Street is projecting into 2026
Analyst forecasts on Abbott remain broadly constructive, with most consensus snapshots pointing to mid-teens upside from late-December trading levels.
A selection of widely followed consensus trackers (as of late 2025) shows:
- Average 12-month price target around $147 (with targets commonly spanning the mid-$130s to low-$160s) [28]
- Many trackers also describe the consensus rating as Buy/Strong Buy (exact phrasing varies by provider). [29]
On earnings expectations, Yahoo Finance’s analyst estimates page shows 2025 and 2026 EPS projections clustered in the mid-$5 range (provider methodologies differ, and estimates can change quickly around guidance updates and M&A assumptions). [30]
How analysts are likely framing the setup (as of Dec. 25):
- Upside case: Volt PFA competes effectively in the U.S. PFA market; the diabetes franchise remains resilient after the correction; and the Exact Sciences acquisition expands Abbott’s diagnostics growth profile with manageable leverage. [31]
- Bear case / key risks: Libre-related headlines intensify; PFA commercialization is slower than expected; deal integration and financing introduce earnings volatility, and the market discounts longer payback horizons. [32]
What to watch next: the catalysts that could shape Abbott’s early-2026 narrative
As of Dec. 25, Abbott’s next major inflection points are straightforward:
- Volt PFA commercialization: early physician feedback, procedure volumes, and competitive positioning vs. incumbent PFA players. [33]
- Libre 3/3 Plus field action follow-through: replacement execution, any additional FDA communications, and whether Abbott’s “no significant supply disruption” view holds. [34]
- Exact Sciences deal progress: regulatory milestones, shareholder approvals, and any updated integration/financial framing as closing approaches (target: 2Q 2026). [35]
- Guidance cadence: investors will look for how Abbott balances core growth, M&A dilution, and device-quality remediation in updated outlooks. [36]
References
1. stockanalysis.com, 2. abbott.mediaroom.com, 3. www.medtechdive.com, 4. abbott.mediaroom.com, 5. abbott.mediaroom.com, 6. abbott.mediaroom.com, 7. abbott.mediaroom.com, 8. abbott.mediaroom.com, 9. abbott.mediaroom.com, 10. www.medtechdive.com, 11. abbott.mediaroom.com, 12. abbott.mediaroom.com, 13. abbott.mediaroom.com, 14. abbott.mediaroom.com, 15. abbott.mediaroom.com, 16. abbott.mediaroom.com, 17. abbott.mediaroom.com, 18. www.fda.gov, 19. www.sec.gov, 20. www.sec.gov, 21. www.sec.gov, 22. www.sec.gov, 23. www.reuters.com, 24. www.reuters.com, 25. www.abbott.com, 26. www.abbott.com, 27. stockanalysis.com, 28. www.marketbeat.com, 29. stockanalysis.com, 30. finance.yahoo.com, 31. www.medtechdive.com, 32. www.fda.gov, 33. abbott.mediaroom.com, 34. abbott.mediaroom.com, 35. www.sec.gov, 36. www.abbott.com
