Stability is pronounced for this company as evidenced by its margins over time; gross, operating and net margins average 54%, 19% and 15% respectively. Management has chosen to maintain a stable capital structure for the past 10 years, funding each dollar of assets with 50 cents of equity -- predominantly retained profits (60% of total equity) -- and 50 cents of liabilities. And finally, Abbott has earned a high and relatively stable return on equity of roughly 20%-24% over the past 10 years.

The stock currently trades in the $55 dollar range and yields around 2.6%. Basic valuation techniques place this company's stock in the $25 to $36 range. These valuations would correspond to a dividend yield of 4%-5.4%, which would be very attractive given the current low interest rate environment and the number of investors looking for yield and safety.

In sum, the market likes this stock and there is tremendous support for its share price at an unprecedented time of uncertainty and fear. For this reason it may be unrealistic to expect the stock price to fall to the levels suggested above but keep an eye on this stock -- its share price has fallen into the $30 range before, in 2000 and 2002.