Abbott Laboratories: A Dividend Stock Worth Investing in Despite Recent Challenges

Abbott Laboratories' shares plunged after Q4 results missed expectations, with sales up 4.4% YoY to $11.5 billion. However, the company's core medical device business remains strong, with 12.3% sales growth driven by diabetes care and structural heart units. Abbott is a leader in the CGM market and has expanded its addressable market with over-the-counter products. The company also announced an acquisition of cancer diagnostics leader Exact Sciences for $21 billion in cash, providing another growth avenue. Abbott remains attractive for dividend-seeking investors with a 2.20% dividend yield.