** AbbVie ABBV.N said on Friday the Trump administration was pushing for steeper cuts in this year's Medicare drug price negotiations, which in 2024 yielded discounts of as much as 79%

** Co raised its 2025 profit forecast, after strong sales of newer immunology drugs Skyrizi and Rinvoq helped lift third-quarter results above estimates

** Median PT of 31 brokerages covering the stock is $242.50, with an avg "buy" rating - LSEG data

AESTHETICS STRUGGLES CONTINUE

** J.P.Morgan ("overweight," PT: $260) says the aesthetics segment continues to face headwinds, particularly as macro factors continue to impact consumer sentiment

** However, sees the results highlighting continued strength/outperformance across ABBV's core franchises

** Morgan Stanley ("overweight," PT: $261) says "another solid quarter for the immunology franchise, while aesthetics remains soft"

** Adds that focus heading into 2026 is growth of Skyrizi vs. competition from J&J JNJ.N and ongoing pipeline diversification efforts

** Wells Fargo ("overweight," PT: $260) says while competition is brewing in IL-23 space, ABBV could still grow a lot given under-penetration

** BMO ("outperform," PT: $258) says AbbVie's immunology franchise's outperfomance needs to be maintained to keep investor interest

(Reporting by Joel Jose in Bengaluru)

((joeljose@thomsonreuters.com))