Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) is a diversified health care company that gives investors a great deal of stability. Between testing, nutritional products, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices, the company has a good mix of segments that prevent the stock from being too dependent on just one area of the health care industry. That minimizes risk, and it can make Abbott an attractive option for investors who just want a quality dividend.

The company recently reported earnings numbers, which did show some good year-over-year improvement. With the stock's performance being lackluster over the past year, do the stronger results make now a good time to invest in the health care company?

On Jan. 24, Abbott posted its year-end and fourth-quarter numbers for the last three months of 2023. Revenue in Q4 rose by 1.5% year over year to $10.2 billion, but on an organic basis and when excluding COVID-19 testing revenue, it was up by 11%.

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Source Fool.com