Analysts Set Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) Price Target at $175.93

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) has received a balanced outlook from market analysts, with an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from thirteen different firms that cover the stock. Among these ratings, six analysts have suggested maintaining current holdings, while seven have issued buy recommendations. The consensus 1-year price target for Johnson & Johnson shares is set at $175.93 based on recent evaluations from brokerages.

Different research firms have expressed their views on the stock. For instance, on July 23rd, Daiwa Capital Markets changed its rating from "outperform" to "neutral" and reduced its price target from $160.00 to $150.00. Citigroup, on the other hand, raised its price target from $180.00 to $185.00 and reaffirmed a "buy" rating on October 16th. Similarly, TD Securities adjusted its price objective down from $195.00 to $185.00. Morgan Stanley increased its target from $169.00 to $175.00, giving it an "equal weight" rating, also on October 16th. Earlier on July 23rd, Daiwa America had downgraded Johnson & Johnson from a "strong-buy" designation to a "hold" rating.

Price Evaluations and Company Performance

The stock opened at $159.86 recently. Johnson & Johnson has faced price fluctuations over the past year, registering a low of $143.13 and a high of $168.85. The company's key financial ratios include a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.07, and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. With a market capitalization of $384.88 billion, its price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio stands at 23.13, and the P/E growth ratio is noted at 2.90. The stock's fifty-day moving average is placed at $163.39, while the two-hundred-day moving average sits at $155.35.

In its latest earnings report released on October 15th, Johnson & Johnson reported earnings of $2.42 per share. This figure surpassed analysts' expectations of $2.21 by $0.21. The company recorded a return on equity of 35.46% and achieved a net margin of 19.14%. The quarterly revenue reached $22.47 billion, slightly exceeding the consensus estimate of $22.17 billion. This performance marks a year-over-year revenue increase of 5.2%. Analysts predict the company will finish the current year with an EPS of 9.94.

Dividend Announcement

Additionally, Johnson & Johnson has announced a quarterly dividend to be paid on December 10th to shareholders on record as of November 26th. This dividend is valued at $1.24 per share, yielding an annualized amount of $4.96, which corresponds to a dividend yield of 3.10%. The company's current dividend payout ratio is at 71.78%.

Insider Trading Activity

In recent news related to insider transactions, Vice President Robert J. Decker sold 5,635 shares on August 30th, receiving an average price of $165.06 per share, totaling approximately $930,113.10. Post-transaction, he holds approximately 18,973 shares in Johnson & Johnson, valued around $3.13 million. Insider ownership in the company is reported at 0.16%.

Institutional Shareholder Movements

Major institutional investors have also reassured their investments in Johnson & Johnson. For example, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its shareholding by 16.8% during the first quarter, owning over 21.83 million shares now valued at about $3.45 billion. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA expanded its stake by 10.8% in the second quarter, holding nearly 18.78 million shares valued at approximately $2.74 billion. In the same quarter, Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its stake by 5.5%, owning 14.37 million shares worth about $2.10 billion. Other significant investment firms like Dimensional Fund Advisors LP and American Century Companies Inc. also elevated their holdings during the quarter. Altogether, institutional investors and hedge funds collectively hold 69.55% of Johnson & Johnson’s stock.

About Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson operates globally through its subsidiaries, focusing on the research, development, manufacturing, and marketing of a variety of healthcare products. The company’s Innovative Medicine segment caters to a range of therapeutic areas including immunology, infectious diseases, neuroscience, oncology, and cardiovascular health. These products are distributed through a network of retailers, wholesalers, distributors, and healthcare professionals for prescription use.

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