Abbott Laboratories Named Most Profitable Healthcare Stock of All Time
A report from Arizona State University identifies Abbott Laboratories as the top-performing healthcare stock and the 11th most profitable overall based on long-term returns from 1925 to 2023.
Abbott Laboratories has been recognized as the most profitable healthcare stock and the 11th most profitable stock overall in a comprehensive study by Arizona State University examining long-term investor returns.
The research, conducted by finance professor Hendrik Bessembinder, analyzed the compound returns of over 29,000 publicly traded U.S. companies between 1925 and 2023. Between March 1937 and December 2023, Abbott shares generated a cumulative compound return of 7,803,730%. This indicates that a $1 investment in Abbott in 1937 would have been worth $78,083 by 2023. The company's annualized compound return during this period was 13.85%.
The study highlights the significance of long-term market participation for achieving substantial returns. Abbott's consistent performance is further underscored by its status as a Dividend King, having increased its dividends for 52 consecutive years, distinguishing it as a member of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrat Index.
In addition to its investment performance, Abbott has maintained its position on the Fortune 500 list since its inception in 1955, a testament to its enduring presence and operational longevity among the largest U.S. corporations.