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Momentum Trackers Just Lit Up — Here’s Why (From Stock News Trends)

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AbbVie Call Options Spike 2,599%: Tracking the Big Bet

Written by Jeffrey Neal Johnson on January 16, 2026 

Quick Look

• Institutional investors are showing high confidence, as evidenced by a significant increase in bullish market activity ahead of financial results.
• The strategic expansion into the metabolic health and obesity markets provides a long-term pathway to diversify the total revenue stream.
• A comprehensive, voluntary federal agreement helps ensure the organization can focus on research and domestic manufacturing with great certainty.

Unusual market activity is often the first sign that big changes are coming to a stock. Professional traders and large institutions frequently use the options market to place high-conviction bets before major news becomes public. On Jan. 15, 2026, AbbVie Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) experienced one of these unusual events. Daily call option volume for the healthcare giant surged to 2,599% of its historical average. This increase in bullish activity suggests that the smart money is positioning for a significant move. With the stock trading near $216.66, this volume suggests a belief that a breakthrough or a positive financial surprise is imminent.

Traders use call options to profit from a rising stock price. When volume spikes by more than 2,500%, it is rarely a coincidence. Institutional investors often have access to deep research and sophisticated models that help them anticipate market shifts. By examining the upcoming calendar, we can identify several key factors that likely triggered this sudden rush of capital into AbbVie.

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Betting on a February Beat: The Q4 Earnings Window

The most immediate reason for the surge in options is the upcoming fourth-quarter 2025 earnings report. AbbVie is estimated to release these results on Feb. 4, 2026. Institutional confidence is high because the company has established a pattern of excellence over the past year. In every single quarter of 2025, AbbVie beat analyst estimates and raised its full-year guidance. Currently, the company expects adjusted earnings per share (EPS) to land between $10.61 and $10.65 for the full year.

Investors are particularly impressed with how the company has managed its product transitions. For years, the market worried that the decline of the blockbuster drug Humira would hurt the bottom line. However, the latest data shows that the plan to replace that revenue is working.

• Humira sales fell 55.7 % in the most recent quarter due to biosimilar competition.
• Skyrizi and Rinvoq saw combined sales growth of more than 40%.
• These two newer drugs have successfully stabilized the total revenue base.

If management provides a strong outlook for 2026 during the February call, it would justify the massive volume of call options currently in play. Traders appear to be betting that AbbVie’s growth stars will continue to outperform, leading to another beat-and-raise scenario.

The $100 Billion Pledge

Strategic growth and a new regulatory agreement are also driving the bullish sentiment. On Jan. 12, 2026, AbbVie reached a voluntary agreement with the federal administration for a period of three years. This pact removes many of the political risks that have weighed on drug companies. Under this deal, AbbVie committed to a $100 billion investment in U.S. research, development, and manufacturing over the next 10 years. In exchange, the company secured a three-year exemption from new tariffs and federal drug-pricing mandates. This agreement provides institutions with the policy certainty they need to buy large amounts of stock with confidence.

This regulatory win is occurring just as AbbVie enters the high-growth obesity market. On Jan. 15, 2026, the company announced that it had completed its first human trial for GUB014295. This drug is a long-acting amylin analog designed to treat obesity. The obesity market is currently one of the fastest-growing sectors in healthcare.

By entering this space, AbbVie could see multiple expansions. This means investors might be willing to pay more for every dollar of the company’s earnings because it is now competing in a high-growth category. Additionally, the company is awaiting an FDA decision on its Parkinson’s disease candidate, Tavapadon, in the first half of 2026. These clinical goals are likely what options traders are trying to get ahead of.

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Dividend King Status: 53 Years of Reliable Growth

While new growth projects could drive a higher price, AbbVie’s fundamental metrics provide a strong safety net. Abbvie’s analyst community currently holds a Moderate Buy consensus on the stock. The average 12-month price target is $247.84, suggesting an upside of about 14% from today’s price. The stock’s forward price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 17.60 is considered attractive, especially as the company adds more high-growth drugs to its portfolio.

Income-oriented investors also find security in AbbVie’s status as a Dividend King. The company has increased its dividend for 53 consecutive years. The current quarterly dividend is $1.73 per share, yielding around 3.19% and resulting in an annual dividend of $6.93. Large institutions own 70.23% of the company, showing that they value the stock for its reliable income and defensive qualities. This high level of institutional ownership creates a valuation floor, meaning the stock is less likely to drop significantly while traders wait for the next big catalyst.

Positioning for a Breakout: The Road to $250

The sudden 2,600% surge in call option volume is a clear sign that sophisticated investors are preparing for a breakout. This activity reflects a convergence of positive events: a stabilized regulatory environment, a major entry into the obesity market, and consistent earnings growth. AbbVie has successfully moved past its reliance on legacy drugs and emerged as a diversified leader in immunology and metabolic health.

For investors seeking a mix of reliable income and the potential for significant price increases, the current market signals are hard to ignore. The smart money is moving toward AbbVie, suggesting that the upcoming February earnings report could be the start of a new rally.

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