** Abbott ABT.N warned on Thursday it expects more than $1 billion in financial headwinds this year from a sharp decline in COVID-19 testing demand, new U.S. tariffs and government's foreign aid freeze

** The medical device giant forecast third-quarter profit below estimates

TEMPORARY CHALLENGES

** J.P.Morgan ("overweight," PT: $140) views downwards growth revisions for Abbott as a one-off event rather than signs of weakening fundamentals in the business

** TD Cowen ("buy," PT: $145) says ABT is on track for over 10% EPS growth this year despite hurdles and tariffs, as key fundamentals remain reliable

** Piper Sandler ("overweight," PT: $150) sees potential for revenue growth next year, led by new product launches such as dual-analyte sensor, Volt U.S. launch and Alinity, as headwinds from the diagnostics business abate

** Jefferies ("buy," PT: $145) says they're constructive on ABT's fundamentals and expect benefits from new product launches to overshadow existing headwinds

(Reporting by Kanchana Chakravarty in Bengaluru)

((Kanchana.Chakravarty@thomsonreuters.com))