Empire Life Investments Inc. Sells 7,004 Shares of Johnson & Johnson $JNJ

Key Points

• Empire Life Investments cut its Johnson & Johnson stake by 4.6%, selling 7,004 shares and retaining 144,822 shares valued at approximately $36.8 million. JNJ remains 2.1% of the firm’s portfolio.
• Johnson & Johnson exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting $2.90 in EPS and $25.31 billion in revenue, up 6.6% year over year. The company set fiscal 2026 EPS guidance at $11.60–$11.75.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $1.34 per share, equivalent to a 2.0% annualized yield, while analysts maintained a “Moderate Buy” consensus with a $268.22 target price. Recent insider selling and institutional stake adjustments remain notable counterpoints.

Empire Life Investments Inc. reduced its stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ - Free Report) by 4.6% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 144,822 shares of the company's stock after selling 7,004 shares during the period. Johnson & Johnson comprises 2.1% of Empire Life Investments Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 12th biggest position. Empire Life Investments Inc.'s holdings in Johnson & Johnson were worth $36,780,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of JNJ. Sierra Capital LLC lifted its stake in Johnson & Johnson by 0.5% in the fourth quarter. Sierra Capital LLC now owns 8,144 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,685,000 after purchasing an additional 41 shares during the last quarter. Beaird Harris Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Johnson & Johnson by 1.8% in the fourth quarter. Beaird Harris Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,422 shares of the company's stock worth $501,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Ballast Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 1.2% in the first quarter. Ballast Advisors LLC now owns 3,598 shares of the company's stock valued at $879,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the period. Crown Wealth Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Crown Wealth Group LLC now owns 2,736 shares of the company's stock valued at $695,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Broadleaf Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Broadleaf Partners LLC now owns 7,348 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,521,000 after buying an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.55% of the company's stock.

Johnson & Johnson Price Performance

Shares of NYSE JNJ opened at $273.19 on Thursday. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $253.89 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $242.23. Johnson & Johnson has a twelve month low of $173.33 and a twelve month high of $276.47. The firm has a market capitalization of $658.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.66, a P/E/G ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.24. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 15th. The company reported $2.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.84 by $0.06. Johnson & Johnson had a return on equity of 32.42% and a net margin of 21.48%.The firm had revenue of $25.31 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $25.06 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.77 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. Johnson & Johnson has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.600-11.750 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Johnson & Johnson will post 11.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Johnson & Johnson Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 8th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 25th will be paid a $1.34 dividend. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, August 25th. Johnson & Johnson's payout ratio is currently 62.11%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

JNJ has been the subject of several recent research reports. Wall Street Zen lowered Johnson & Johnson from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, August 1st. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $265.00 to $287.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, July 13th. Raymond James Financial set a $280.00 target price on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $285.00 to $298.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their price target on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $250.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $268.22.

Key Johnson & Johnson News

Here are the key news stories impacting Johnson & Johnson this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Strong earnings and higher guidance remain key catalysts. Second-quarter revenue rose 6.6% to $25.31 billion, exceeding estimates, while adjusted EPS of $2.90 topped the $2.84 consensus. Management also raised its 2026 outlook, reinforcing confidence in near-term earnings growth. Johnson & Johnson Stock Jumps as Healthcare Rotation Lifts Shares
• Positive Sentiment: FDA clearance expands JNJ’s medical-technology opportunity. The company received authorization for MONARCH QUEST 3, an AI-powered software upgrade adding 3D imaging, planning, and navigation capabilities to its robotic bronchoscopy platform. The development supports JNJ’s broader push into robotic surgery and advanced diagnostics. Johnson & Johnson Expands Robotic Bronchoscopy Push
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts continue to favor JNJ as a defensive growth and income stock. Several analysts maintain Buy or Strong Buy views, citing immunology and neuroscience medicines as potential growth engines that can help offset Stelara’s loss of exclusivity. JNJ’s 64-year record of dividend increases and recent quarterly payout of $1.34 also support its appeal to income-focused investors. Analysts Favor Dividend Aristocrats JNJ and LIN
• Neutral Sentiment: Above-average call-option activity points to increased short-term bullish positioning, but options flows may also increase volatility and are not a substitute for fundamental demand.
• Negative Sentiment: Executive Vice President Jennifer Taubert sold 15,000 shares for approximately $3.95 million, reducing her holdings by 7.16%. Continued insider selling by multiple executives could weigh modestly on sentiment, although the transaction does not by itself indicate weakening business conditions. SEC insider transaction filing

Insider Activity at Johnson & Johnson

In other news, EVP Elizabeth Forminard sold 15,918 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $257.00, for a total value of $4,090,926.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 16,994 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,367,458. This represents a 48.37% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Vanessa Broadhurst sold 23,054 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, July 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $251.27, for a total transaction of $5,792,778.58. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 23,003 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,779,963.81. This trade represents a 50.06% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 63,972 shares of company stock worth $16,245,605 in the last 90 days. 0.16% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Johnson & Johnson Profile

Johnson & Johnson is a multinational healthcare company headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey, that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of products across pharmaceuticals, medical devices and previously consumer health. Founded in 1886 by the Johnson family, the company has grown into a global healthcare organization with operations and sales in many countries around the world.

The company's pharmaceuticals business, organized largely under its Janssen research and development organization, focuses on prescription medicines across therapeutic areas such as immunology, infectious disease, oncology and neuroscience.

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This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.

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