Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) Shares Up 1.2% – Still a Buy?

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) shares shot up 1.2% during mid-day trading on Thursday. The stock traded as high as $286.08 and last traded at $283.69. Approximately 7,697,257 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 3% from the average session volume of 7,955,198 shares. The stock had previously closed at $280.41.

Key Headlines Impacting Johnson & Johnson

Investors following JNJ have been watching these headlines:

• Positive Sentiment: J&J also led a $100 million funding round for Delix Therapeutics, supporting development of psychedelic-inspired depression treatments. Separately, favorable Phase 3 CAPLYTA results for bipolar I mania could offer a path to broaden the drug’s use. J&J backs cancer device and leads depression investment Johnson & Johnson reports favorable data for bipolar study
• Neutral Sentiment: A health-care ETF added J&J shares on Nov. 10, a modest supportive flow signal. Another article notes JNJ had gained since its latest earnings report, but provides no new company results or guidance. State Street Health Care SPDR adds Johnson & Johnson
• Negative Sentiment: A Massachusetts jury awarded a family about $3.3 million in a mesothelioma case involving J&J talc-based baby powder. The company also faces a law-firm investigation into investor claims. The award is small relative to J&J’s scale, but the developments keep talc litigation and potential liabilities in focus. Massachusetts family awarded $3.3 million against Johnson & Johnson Pomerantz investigates claims on behalf of J&J investors

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

JNJ has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Johnson Rice cut shares of Johnson & Johnson from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 21st. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $275.00 to $287.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, October 16th. HSBC lifted their price target on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $290.00 to $320.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, September 10th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $260.00 price target on Johnson & Johnson in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. Finally, TD Cowen reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a report on Tuesday, October 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $275.92.

Johnson & Johnson Stock Up 1.2%

The stock has a market capitalization of $682.93 billion, a PE ratio of 42.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.78 and a beta of 0.22. The company has a current ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. The company’s 50-day moving average is $266.67 and its 200 day moving average is $249.23.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 13th. The company reported $2.59 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.53 by $0.06. Johnson & Johnson had a net margin of 16.20% and a return on equity of 31.64%. The company had revenue of $25.40 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $25.38 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.80 EPS. Johnson & Johnson’s revenue was up 5.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Johnson & Johnson has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.050-11.150 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Johnson & Johnson will post 11.12 EPS for the current year.

Johnson & Johnson Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 8th. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 24th will be paid a $1.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, November 24th. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.9%. Johnson & Johnson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 81.21%.

Insider Transactions at Johnson & Johnson

In other news, EVP Jennifer L. Taubert sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.36, for a total value of $3,950,400.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 194,451 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $51,210,615.36. This represents a 7.16% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Timothy Schmid sold 33,597 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $274.74, for a total value of $9,230,439.78. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 25,447 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,991,308.78. The trade was a 56.90% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 0.16% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Johnson & Johnson

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Meeder Advisory Services Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 7.5% during the third quarter. Meeder Advisory Services Inc. now owns 67,434 shares of the company’s stock worth $17,853,000 after purchasing an additional 4,703 shares during the last quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. boosted its holdings in Johnson & Johnson by 1.4% in the third quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 162,828 shares of the company’s stock valued at $43,111,000 after purchasing an additional 2,195 shares during the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP grew its position in Johnson & Johnson by 14.8% during the 3rd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 1,475,271 shares of the company’s stock worth $390,563,000 after purchasing an additional 190,394 shares during the period. BNP Paribas grew its position in Johnson & Johnson by 8.7% during the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas now owns 48,416 shares of the company’s stock worth $12,912,000 after purchasing an additional 3,865 shares during the period. Finally, NWK Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Johnson & Johnson during the 3rd quarter valued at about $7,418,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.55% of the company’s stock.

Johnson & Johnson Company Profile

Johnson & Johnson is a global healthcare company that develops and sells prescription medicines and medical technologies. Its business is organized around two segments: Innovative Medicine and MedTech. Innovative Medicine develops treatments in areas including oncology, immunology, neuroscience, cardiovascular and metabolic disease, and pulmonary hypertension. MedTech provides products and technologies for fields such as surgery, orthopedics, and vision care. Founded in 1886, Johnson & Johnson serves patients and healthcare professionals in markets around the world.