** Medical device maker Abbott Laboratories ABT.N maintained its annual profit forecast on Wednesday and said it expected U.S. tariffs to hit earnings by a "few hundred million dollars"

** Median PT of 28 brokerages covering the stock is $145 - LSEG data

OPTIMISM FOR MEDTECH

** J.P.Morgan ("overweight," PT: $135) says it is optimistic about co, citing strong fundamentals and effective management to mitigate tariff impacts

** Piper Sandler ("overweight," PT: $145) says it is confident in co's diversified business model and its ability to navigate through periods of uncertainty while delivering sustainable growth

** TD Cowen ("buy," PT: $145) sees co mitigating tariff impacts through strategic manufacturing adjustments and leveraging past successes

** "We saw ABT rapidly respond to the COVID pandemic and build a multi billion-dollar Covid testing franchise in very little time. This precedent should give investors confidence that the plant optimization initiatives can succeed in a similar fashion" - TD

** Jefferies ("hold," PT: $137) says co's ability to counteract tariff pressures is a positive surprise, following JNJ JNJ.N maintaining its guidance, which provides optimism for other medtech companies

(Reporting by Rashika Singh in Bengaluru)

((rashika.singh@thomsonreuters.com))