Abbott Laboratories Stock Buy Recommendation Reiterated (ABT)

Editor's Note: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model.

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) has been reiterated by TheStreet Ratings as a buy with a ratings score of B . The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its impressive record of earnings per share growth, compelling growth in net income, notable return on equity, reasonable valuation levels and expanding profit margins. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had lackluster performance in the stock itself.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• ABBOTT LABORATORIES reported significant earnings per share improvement in the most recent quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago. The company has demonstrated a pattern of positive earnings per share growth over the past year. We feel that this trend should continue. During the past fiscal year, ABBOTT LABORATORIES increased its bottom line by earning $2.99 versus $2.96 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings ($5.07 versus $2.99).
• The net income growth from the same quarter one year ago has significantly exceeded that of the S&P 500 and the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. The net income increased by 540.8% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, rising from $303.18 million to $1,942.81 million.
• Current return on equity exceeded its ROE from the same quarter one year prior. This is a clear sign of strength within the company. When compared to other companies in the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry and the overall market, ABBOTT LABORATORIES's return on equity exceeds that of the industry average and significantly exceeds that of the S&P 500.
• The gross profit margin for ABBOTT LABORATORIES is currently very high, coming in at 71.60%. It has increased from the same quarter the previous year. Along with this, the net profit margin of 19.87% is above that of the industry average.

Abbott Laboratories engages in the discovery, development, manufacture, and sale of health care products worldwide. Abbott has a market cap of $51.69 billion and is part of the health care sector and drugs industry. The company has a P/E ratio of 8, below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are down 50.1% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday.

You can view the full Abbott Ratings Report or get investment ideas from our investment research center.

--Written by a member of TheStreet Ratings Staff.

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