Abbott Laboratories vs Medtronic: Which Stock Could Rally?
Abbott Laboratories fell -6.0% during the past Day. You may be tempted to buy more or may want to reduce your exposure. But there is an entirely different perspective you might be missing. Is there a better alternative? Turns out, its peer Medtronic gives you more. Medtronic (MDT) stock offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs Abbott Laboratories (ABT) stock, suggesting you may be better off investing in MDT
- MDT’s quarterly revenue growth was 8.7%, vs. ABT’s 4.4%.
- In addition, its Last 12 Months revenue growth came in at 6.9%, ahead of ABT’s 5.7%.
- MDT leads on profitability over both periods – LTM margin of 18.6% and 3-year average of 18.5%.
These differences become even clearer when you look at the financials side by side. The table highlights how ABT’s fundamentals stack up against those of MDT on growth, margins, momentum, and valuation multiples.
Valuation & Performance Overview
| ABT | MDT | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 20.6 | 16.6 | MDT |
| Revenue Growth | |||
| Last Quarter | 4.4% | 8.7% | MDT |
| Last 12 Months | 5.7% | 6.9% | MDT |
| Last 3 Year Average | 0.7% | 4.9% | MDT |
| Operating Margins | |||
| Last 12 Months | 18.2% | 18.6% | MDT |
| Last 3 Year Average | 16.9% | 18.5% | MDT |
| Momentum | |||
| Last 3 Year Return | -2.5% | 17.0% | MDT |
Note: For the “Last 3 Year Return” metric, preferred stock is one with higher returns unless the returns are too high (>300%) which creates risk of sell-off.
See more revenue details: ABT Revenue Comparison | MDT Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: ABT Operating Income Comparison | MDT Operating Income Comparison
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See detailed fundamentals on Buy or Sell MDT Stock and Buy or Sell ABT Stock. Below we compare market return and related metrics across years.
Historical Market Performance
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| ABT Return | 31% | -21% | 2% | 5% | 13% | -18% | 3% | ||
| MDT Return | -10% | -23% | 10% | 0% | 24% | -9% | -13% | ||
| S&P 500 Return | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 3% | 87% | <=== | |
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| ABT Win Rate | 58% | 42% | 50% | 58% | 58% | 25% | 49% | ||
| MDT Win Rate | 42% | 42% | 42% | 50% | 58% | 50% | 47% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 67% | 50% | 62% | <=== | |
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| ABT Max Drawdown | -3% | -31% | -16% | -8% | -1% | -20% | -13% | ||
| MDT Max Drawdown | -14% | -25% | -8% | -5% | -0% | -10% | -10% | ||
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | -7% | -9% | <=== | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2021
[2] 2026 data is for the year up to 4/16/2026 (YTD)
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
No matter how good the numbers, stock investment is never a smooth ride. There is a risk you must factor in. Read MDT Dip Buyer Analyses to see how the stock has fallen and recovered in the past.
Still not sure about ABT or MDT? Consider the portfolio approach.
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