Johnson & Johnson pops on top- and bottom-line beat, boost to full-year outlook
The drugmaker’s “grind it out” year is paying off, with sales jumping even as its blockbuster treatment faces more competition.
Johnson & Johnson shares are the top performer in the S&P 500 on Wednesday morning, jumping nearly 6% after the drugmaker posted better-than-expected earnings and hiked its outlook for the year.
Revenue hit $23.7 billion last quarter, besting the $22.8 billion forecast from analysts polled by Bloomberg. Earnings also reached an adjusted $2.77 per share, beating the expected $2.70.
Investors were bracing for a slowdown as Stelara, JNJ’s blockbuster psoriasis drug, faces new competition. The company originally forecast just 1% sales growth for 2025.
But even as Stelara sales cool, other drugs in JNJ’s portfolio have stepped up. Now, the company expects full-year total sales of $93.2 billion to $93.6 billion, up 5.1% to 5.6% from last year. The Street had penciled in sales of about $91.4 billion for 2025.
The company also spotlighted its cardiovascular unit as a “constant growth” driver and slashed its expected tariff costs for the year to $200 million — half the $400 million it projected earlier.
Shares of Johnson & Johnson are up nearly 13% year to date.
