New York, February 2, 2026, 16:10 (EST) — After-hours trading
- AbbVie closed Monday up 1.2%, finishing at $225.70 after peaking at $229.80 during the session
- The drugmaker will release its results on Feb. 4 before the market opens, followed by a webcast at 8 a.m. Central
- Earlier guidance pointed to a $1.3 billion charge related to acquired R&D and milestone expenses for the quarter
AbbVie shares climbed $2.69, or 1.2%, on Monday, settling at $225.70 after hitting a session high of $229.80.
AbbVie is set to release full-year and fourth-quarter earnings on Wednesday. Investors will be watching to see if its newer products can step up as Humira’s sales decline amid growing competition from generics.
This is crucial now since the stock can’t afford to wander. Investors demand the numbers first, then the outlook — and both need to meet the high expectations already established in large-cap healthcare.
Monday’s market moved more quietly, with the S&P 500 hitting new highs, driven by chipmakers rallying, Reuters reported. “The fundamentals are good and earnings are strong,” said Tim Ghriskey, senior portfolio strategist at Ingalls & Snyder. Reuters
AbbVie plans to release its results on Feb. 4 ahead of the market open and will hold a webcast of the earnings call at 8 a.m. Central time. AbbVie News Center
Investors are still unpacking a Jan. 7 filing that revealed $1.3 billion in acquired in-process research and development and milestone expenses — accounting charges linked to buying or licensing drug candidates still under development. The company said this would slash both reported and adjusted earnings by roughly 71 cents per share. It also pegged fourth-quarter adjusted earnings between $2.61 and $2.65 per share. SEC
AbbVie is aiming to expand beyond its core franchise, pitching investors on new growth avenues. The company highlighted its obesity strategy, relying on a weight-loss drug licensed from Gubra. Chief medical officer Roopal Thakkar emphasized the focus on “tolerability and durability of weight loss” for patients who stop earlier treatments. Reuters
Policy risk remains a factor. Last week, the U.S. government added AbbVie’s Botox to the list of drugs slated for Medicare price negotiations in 2028. Evan Seigerman at BMO Capital Markets said, “we continue to expect that the impacts will be manageable.” Reuters
That said, “manageable” doesn’t mean “irrelevant.” A tougher approach from Washington on drug pricing or a softer-than-expected drop in aesthetics demand could quickly reshape the longer-term outlook.
In the short term, the downside is straightforward: guidance falls short, costs remain stubbornly high, or the company’s “adjusted” figures spark fresh doubts. The stock could slide further if investors start worrying that the post-Humira transition is costing more than expected.
Wednesday’s report before the bell sets the market’s next milestone, followed by the 8 a.m. Central conference call. Traders will zero in on any 2026 clues and keep a close eye on ABBV’s moves as soon as the initial headlines drop.
