Shares of Johnson & Johnson (JNJ -0.59%) rallied 6.1% on Wednesday as of 1:18 p.m. ET.
The pharmaceutical and medical equipment giant reported earnings today, which not only beat expectations, but also saw management lifting full-year guidance. As such, the stock continued to brush off tariff-related fears from the first half of the year.
Second-quarter highlights include lower-than-expected tariffs and contributions from Caplyta
In the second quarter, Johnson & Johnson grew revenue 5.8% to $23.7 billion, beating expectations. While adjusted (non-GAAP) earnings per share of $2.77 declined by 1.8% relative to the prior year, that was also ahead of analysts' expectations.
The decline in earnings had to do with Johnson & Johnson's cost of goods sold, which included some acquisition-related amortization stemming from the company's $14.6 billion acquisition of neuroscience-oriented Intra-Cellular Therapies, which closed on April 2. Interest expense also increased from new debt used for the acquisition. Management also noted that it expects a $200 million impact from tariffs this year, though that was down from $400 million in April before U.S.-China tariffs were ratcheted back down on May 12.
Still, Intra-Cellular helped the company's Neuroscience unit grow 14.4% year over year in constant currency, which was the second-fastest segment behind oncology, which grew a solid 22.3%.
Management also upped its guidance for the year and now projects $93.2 billion to $93.6 billion in revenue, and $10.80 to $10.90 in adjusted earnings per share (EPS), relative to last quarter's guidance of $91 billion to $91.8 billion and $10.50 to $10.70, respectively.
Image source: Getty Images.
JNJ remains as blue chip as ever
Johnson & Johnson's solid results cement it as the premier blue chip pharmaceutical and medtech company in dividend-oriented portfolios. Moreover, the stock is still inexpensive, even after today, at just 15 times this year's new earnings guidance, with a dividend of 3.4%.
Thus, the stock remains a solid buy or hold for income-oriented, conservative investors.
