AbbVie stock slides on $1.3 billion charge and outlook cut as deal chatter swirls

New York, Jan 8, 2026, 19:33 EST — After-hours

AbbVie shares fell about 4% on Thursday, giving back the prior session’s pop tied to takeover chatter.
The drugmaker flagged a $1.3 billion acquired R&D-related charge and cut its 2025 adjusted profit view.
Focus shifts to AbbVie’s Feb. 4 results for fresh guidance and any update on deal appetite.

AbbVie shares dropped 4% on Thursday, slipping to $224.13 in after-hours trading from a previous close of $233.41, as investors digested a profit forecast reduction linked to a hefty charge.

The move matters because AbbVie is scrambling to make up lost ground after Humira’s patent expired, leaning heavily on acquisitions to sustain its growth. Traders have been quick to pounce on any whispers of another big deal, especially after takeover chatter about cancer-drug developer Revolution Medicines briefly lifted AbbVie shares just a day before. Reuters

AbbVie revealed in a filing that its fourth-quarter 2025 results will likely feature $1.3 billion in “acquired IPR&D and milestones” expenses—an accounting category linked to partnerships, licensing deals, and asset purchases. This charge is set to shave roughly $0.71 a share off both GAAP and adjusted earnings. The company also trimmed its full-year 2025 adjusted earnings per share forecast to a range of $9.90 to $9.94, down from $10.61 to $10.65. SEC

Acquired IPR&D (in-process research and development) might seem like a one-off expense, but it rarely is. Investors often see it as a glimpse into how expensive building pipelines has gotten — and how much slack management has left to keep snapping up growth without pinching future profit goals.

The company also worked to quash rumors of a deal. AbbVie told Reuters this week it was not in talks with Revolution Medicines, despite a Wall Street Journal report claiming negotiations were well underway. Reuters

That speculation hasn’t faded; it simply shifted. Another report on Thursday revealed Merck is in talks to acquire Revolution Medicines, highlighting how quickly big pharma is swooping in on late-stage oncology assets ahead of looming patent cliffs. Reuters

Still, the downside is clear: more deal-related charges or a weaker-than-expected 2026 outlook could weigh on the stock. This comes just as investors seek steadier earnings after Humira’s fall.

Coming up on Feb. 4, AbbVie plans to release its full-year and fourth-quarter 2025 results before markets open. The company will then hold its earnings call later that morning. Abbvie

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A dedicated markets reporter, she covers stocks, macroeconomics, and major business developments with a sharp eye for detail and accuracy.

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