Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) has caught investor attention with the FDA’s approval of an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) for its Coronary Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) System, a significant development within the realm of coronary artery disease treatment. This announcement comes in conjunction with the company's recent robust Q4 2024 earnings results, reporting net income and diluted EPS growth. Additionally, Abbott declared its 405th consecutive quarterly dividend and outlined optimistic sales growth projections for 2025. Despite broader market instability due to potential tariffs, Abbott's advancements have contributed to its 10% share price rise over the last quarter.

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Over the past five years, Abbott Laboratories' total shareholder return, which includes both share price appreciation and dividends, reached 73.92%. Key developments during this period have likely influenced this performance. The company's collaboration with Insulet Corporation to integrate continuous glucose monitoring with insulin delivery systems, initiated in November 2024, is pivotal. This partnership aims to enhance Abbott's footprint in the diabetes care market. Moreover, the consistent focus on innovation, such as the launch of a leadless pacemaker system in February 2025, underscores its commitment to technological advancement in cardiology.

Other significant factors likely contributing to shareholder returns include robust dividend growth, with over 50 consecutive years of increases as of December 2024. The ongoing share buyback program, with over 43 million shares repurchased since December 2021, indicates a commitment to returning value to shareholders. Furthermore, Abbott's earnings have grown significantly over the last year, vastly outpacing its five-year average growth, boosting investor confidence against the backdrop of broader market fluctuations. Abbott's earnings growth also surpassed that of both the US Medical Equipment industry and the overall US market in the last year.

Get an in-depth perspective on Abbott Laboratories' performance by reading our balance sheet health report here.

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