Abbott's negative news sent shares lower, but as stores restock and poor press fades, investors will likely take advantage of the stock price dip as things eventually rebound. In its latestearnings call Chief Growth Officer Christina Hennington noted that inflation has led to consumers focusing spend on necessities such as groceries. As the company digests the shift in consumer spending and inventory works itself out, the annual dividend paid to investors continues to climb as it has for five decades.