Johnson & Johnson is bucking a recent trend in the health care arena. That trend has been the perceived "unlocking" of value through spinoffs and other transactions. In fact, two of the biggest players in health care -- Abbott Labs (ABT 0.63%) and Pfizer (PFE 0.55%) -- are making moves of their own in the near future.

Abbott is shedding its branded pharmaceuticals business into a stand-alone company called AbbVie, while Pfizer is planning to sell a 20% stake in its animal-health business through an IPO of a new stand-alone company called Zoetis. Many have looked to J&J to go the same route, but management remains committed to one of its strategic principles of maintaining a broad base in human health care.

In the following video, Fool.com health care bureau chief Brenton Flynn and health care analyst Max Macaluso discuss earnings from Johnson & Johnson, and how its balanced portfolio served the company in the latest quarter.

While you can certainly make huge gains in biotech and pharmaceuticals, the best investing approach is to choose great companies and stick with them for the long term. In our free report "3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich," we name stocks that could help you build long-term wealth and retire well, along with some winning wealth-building strategies that every investor should be aware of. Click here now to keep reading.