Abbott Laboratories is set to report fourth-quarter results before the opening bell on January 22. Analysts project adjusted earnings of $1.49 per share, marking an 11% increase from $1.34 in the year-ago period. Consensus revenue estimates stand at $11.8 billion, up from $10.97 billion a year earlier, driven by continued strength in diagnostics and medical device segments. Investors will be watching margin trends closely, as supply-chain pressures and FX headwinds may impact profitability despite top-line growth.

On January 20, Abbott secured CE Mark approval for the TactiFlex™ Duo Ablation Catheter in Europe, adding dual-energy capability—radiofrequency and pulsed field ablation—to its electrophysiology lineup. The first commercial procedures in the EU have already been completed. The device’s dual-mode design addresses complex atrial fibrillation cases, potentially serving Europe’s eight million over-65 AFib patients—a population projected to double by 2056. This approval follows last year’s Volt PFA System clearances in both the U.S. and Europe, reinforcing Abbott’s position in cardiac ablation therapy.

Leading sell-side firms have reaffirmed bullish views on Abbott ahead of the earnings release. On January 9, Bernstein’s Lee Hambright maintained an Outperform rating and lifted his price target from $150 to $154 (60% historical accuracy). Barclays’ Matt Miksic kept an Overweight rating and raised his target from $162 to $169 on January 5 (65% accuracy). Earlier, BTIG’s Marie Thibault held a Buy at $145 on November 20 (60% accuracy), Raymond James’ Jayson Bedford stayed Outperform and increased his target to $146 on October 16 (66% accuracy), while Evercore ISI’s Vijay Kumar also remained Outperform but trimmed his target from $144 to $142 (60% accuracy).