Abbott Laboratories (ABT): How Will First Quarter Results Impact This Stock?

Probably the most encouraging news was Abbott’s continued strength in emerging markets. The Nutritionals business segment appears to have the potential to power reasonable levels of growth, largely from these markets.

My chief disappointment with the company is its relatively puny dividend. Abbott declared its 357th quarterly dividend of $0.14 per share. However, the dividend yield only stands at 1.5%. Meanwhile, AbbVie’s yield is 3.7% — much more in line with Abbott’s historical levels. Abbott won’t be a high-growth stock, so a better dividend would make shareholders happier.

Overall, the results for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) were solid. The stock should continue to do well, especially if current weakness in developed markets improves. In my view, Abbott still looks like a decent, if not spectacular, stock pick as part of a broader portfolio.

The article How Will Q1 Results Impact Abbott Laboratories’ Stock? originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Keith Speights has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

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