The options market for AbbVie has recently shown a significant shift towards a bearish outlook. Major financial entities have executed unusual trades, indicating an expectation of price movements within a specific range over the coming quarter. This development warrants closer examination of AbbVie's current standing and future prospects.
Options Market Reveals Bearish Trends for AbbVie
On November 20, 2025, financial analysts observed a distinct bearish trend in the options trading activities surrounding AbbVie Inc. (NYSE: ABBV). A detailed review of recent options history indicated nine instances of unusual trading, highlighting the cautious stance taken by some prominent investors. Specifically, only 11% of traders displayed bullish sentiment, while a larger proportion, 33%, exhibited bearish tendencies. The executed trades comprised four put options valued at $326,123 and five call options totaling $230,186.
Insights derived from these trading patterns suggest that major investors are forecasting AbbVie's stock price to fluctuate between $100.0 and $260.0 over the next three months. An examination of the 30-day option volume and open interest further supports these observations, providing critical information on the liquidity and investor interest across various strike prices for AbbVie options. The largest options trades observed included significant put and call activities with diverse expiration dates and strike prices, reflecting a complex interplay of market expectations.
AbbVie, a leading pharmaceutical company, boasts a robust portfolio primarily in immunology with key products like Humira, Skyrizi, and Rinvoq, alongside its oncology offerings such as Imbruvica and Venclexta. The company's strategic acquisitions, including Allergan in 2020 which added aesthetics products like Botox, and more recently Cerevel (neuroscience) and ImmunoGen (oncology) in 2024, aim to strengthen its market position. Currently, AbbVie's stock is trading at $229.06, experiencing a 1.65% decline with a trading volume of 1,945,474. Its Relative Strength Index (RSI) suggests a neutral position, indicating neither overbought nor oversold conditions. The company's next earnings report is anticipated in 71 days.
In the past month, four industry analysts have provided their assessments, setting an average target price of $251.0 for AbbVie. UBS has maintained a Neutral rating with a target price of $220. Conversely, Piper Sandler adjusted its rating to Overweight, increasing its price target to $289. JP Morgan continues to hold an Overweight rating with a $260 target, while Citigroup also sustained a Neutral rating with a $235 target price. These varied analyst opinions, coupled with the unusual options activity, underscore the dynamic and somewhat uncertain sentiment surrounding AbbVie's near-term market performance.
The recent surge in bearish options activity for AbbVie highlights the sophisticated strategies employed by institutional investors. This serves as a crucial reminder for all market participants, particularly those engaging in options trading, about the inherent risks and potential for both significant gains and losses. It reinforces the importance of continuous education, strategic adjustments, and vigilant monitoring of market dynamics to navigate the complexities of financial markets successfully.