 Dear Reader, Last year I ran for Mayor of New York City. And lost to a 34-year-old Democratic Socialist. Now I'm convinced what's starting in New York will spread across America. Just for starters:
- The new mayor wants to spend $70 million of taxpayer money just to study whether government-run grocery stores are a good idea.
- He's threatening a 9.5% property tax hike on every homeowner in the city.
- And he wants to raise taxes on every corporation and high earner.
This isn't just a New York story. Nearly 40% of Americans now have a "positive" view of socialism. But what nobody's talking about is WHY this is happening... and where it's all headed. I have my MBA from Harvard and spend my time in correspondence with billionaires like Warren Buffett and Bill Ackman. I've spent 30 years on Wall Street. And there's a specific term for what's unfolding in America right now... one that points to an economic event unlike anything we've seen in over 100 years. I'm not running for office again. But if you care about your wealth, your family, and your future, you need to understand what's really coming. I've put together a free analysis explaining exactly what I see, and the specific steps I recommend you take with your money today. I strongly encourage you to check it out here. Regards, Whitney Tilson
Editor, Stansberry Investment Advisory Former Hedge Fund Manager
Co-Founder, Teach for America
Harvard MBA P.S. What's happening today will reset the financial system in a way most of us can't imagine. If I'm even half right, it's going to have a huge impact on your money and your future. Get the details here...
Today's Exclusive Story
A Dividend King on Sale: Is Abbott Labs a Healthcare Bargain?Authored by Jeffrey Neal Johnson. Originally Published: 4/7/2026. 
Key Points
- Abbott's Medical Devices division continues to accelerate, demonstrating the underlying strength within the company's largest business segment.
- Abbott's impressive history of consecutive dividend increases underscores its commitment to consistently rewarding long-term shareholders.
- Strategic acquisitions are positioning Abbott to lead in new high-growth healthcare sectors, securing a powerful pipeline for future expansion.
- Special Report: Elon Unveils AI Passive Income Stream for Millions of Americans
In the world of investing, stability is a prized commodity. Few companies embody that stability better than Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT), a diversified healthcare powerhouse and a member of the elite dividend kings. For decades, investors have relied on Abbott for steady growth and dependable income. That long-standing reputation makes its recent performance all the more striking.
Abbott Laboratories’ stock price recently touched a 52-week low, closing just above $100 in the last trading days of March. This sharp downturn has left many wondering whether the foundation of this industry leader is cracking. A deeper look at Abbott’s situation suggests a potential disconnect between market sentiment and operational reality, raising a critical question: Is the market’s pessimism justified, or has a significant value opportunity opened up for long-term investors? Separating the Signal From the NoiseA stock like Abbott doesn't decline without cause, and its recent drop stems from two distinct pressures. The first is an internal headwind from its Nutrition segment. Abbott Laboratories’ fourth-quarter 2025 earnings report showed a 9.1% organic sales decline in that division, driven primarily by market-share losses in the U.S. pediatric business and pricing dynamics that constrained volumes. Management has been transparent about the challenge and outlined a clear turnaround plan. CEO Robert B. Ford described pricing and promotion initiatives and a pipeline of at least eight new product launches in 2026 intended to reignite volume growth, with a return to growth expected in the second half of the year. The second factor is external and broader in scope: a rotation of capital across the market. In periods of economic optimism, investors often shift funds away from stable, defensive sectors like the healthcare sector and into higher-beta areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the energy sector, seeking faster returns. That broad shift has pressured many fundamentally sound healthcare companies, including Abbott, for reasons largely unrelated to their individual performance or long-term prospects. Abbott’s Engine Room Is Running StrongWhile the Nutrition segment works through a short-term recovery, Abbott's core remains strong, led by its largest and most profitable division: Medical Devices. That segment is accelerating, posting 10.4% organic growth in the most recent quarter. Abbott’s diversified model provides a powerful counterbalance to the isolated weakness in Nutrition, and the company’s true health is most evident in its high-performing businesses.
Medical Devices: The Medical Devices engine is firing on multiple cylinders, driven by market-leading innovation in critical-care areas.
Diabetes Care: The FreeStyle Libre franchise of continuous glucose monitors (CGM) continues to be a growth phenomenon. This product line, which allows users to track glucose levels without routine fingersticks, generated over $7.5 billion in sales in 2025 and remains a primary driver of Abbott’s sustained success.
Cardiovascular Leadership: Abbott is a dominant force in cardiovascular health. Its Electrophysiology business grew at a double-digit rate, while Structural Heart posted strong organic growth of 8.7%. That performance stems from a portfolio of best-in-class devices—such as MitraClip and TriClip for minimally invasive valve repair—and a pipeline of innovations, including the recently FDA-approved Volt PFA System for treating atrial fibrillation.
Abbott is also positioning itself for future growth through the acquisition of Exact Sciences, a leader in cancer screening and diagnostics best known for the non-invasive colon-cancer test Cologuard. The deal immediately positions Abbott as a leader in the rapidly expanding cancer-diagnostics market, adding a high-growth vertical that could contribute meaningfully to revenue for years to come. This bullish outlook is reflected by professional analysts. Wall Street maintains a Moderate Buy consensus rating on the stock. The average 12-month price target is $135.47, implying more than 30% upside from recent levels and signaling that many analysts view the shares as undervalued. A Bedrock of Reliability for Income InvestorsFor long-term investors focused on reliable income, Abbott’s dividend is its most compelling feature. Abbott is a member of the S&P 500 Dividend Kings, an exclusive group of companies that have increased their dividend for at least 50 consecutive years. That track record demonstrates a deep commitment to returning capital to shareholders through all market cycles. The recent decline in Abbott’s stock price directly benefits new investors by increasing the dividend yield. At current levels, Abbott offers a yield of roughly 2.5%, allowing investors to lock in a higher rate of income from a historically reliable payer. The dividend payout ratio is about 68% of earnings, but the dividend represents only around 37% of cash flow, indicating Abbott generates more than enough cash to cover payments with room for future increases. A Disconnect Between Price and ValueCurrent market sentiment around Abbott appears disconnected from its business reality. Temporary headwinds in a single division and broad sector rotation have depressed the stock price, yet Abbott's fundamental growth engines are accelerating. Its dominant Medical Devices division continues to deliver strong results, the dividend remains a bedrock of reliability, and strategic catalysts like the Exact Sciences deal sit on the horizon. For investors with a long-term perspective, the present valuation highlights a meaningful gap between market price and intrinsic value—an opportunity that warrants serious consideration.
This ad is sent on behalf of Stansberry Research, 1125 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201. If you would like to optout from receiving offers from Stansberry Research please click here.
. |