We recently compiled a list of the 10 best investments during a recession. The seventh stock on our list of best investments is Abbott Laboratories.
TheFly reported on Jan. 9 that Bernstein analyst Lee Hambright raised ABT’s price target to $154 from $150, while maintaining an Outperform rating on the stock. The company noted that U.S. healthcare stocks have gradually risen in recent months after bottoming in September 2025. Bernstein anticipates that healthcare companies, including Abbott, would perform better in 2026 as the market becomes clearer about the macroeconomic and political issues that put pressure on the industry last year.
A healthcare professional using a health communication device discusses patient data with a colleague.
Conversely, on the same day, Goldman Sachs lowered its price target for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) to $152 from $157, while maintaining a Buy rating. The firm noted that after a year in which stock performance diverged from underlying fundamentals, 2026 is expected to reflect a return to more normalized trends, with organic growth driving relative valuation. The analyst also clarified that the current model does not take into account ABT’s pending acquisition of Exact Sciences (EXAS).
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) is a global healthcare leader with a diversified portfolio spanning medical devices, diagnostics, nutrition and established pharmaceuticals. Currently, the company is a world leader in Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM).
While we recognize ABT’s potential as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater growth potential and carry less downside risk. If you’re looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that’s also benefiting significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the offshoring trend, check out our free report on best short-term AI stock.
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Disclosure: None.