Upfront, I'm long shares of Kenvue (NYSE: KVUE ). After poking around the name a few times following its spin-off from Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ ), I bought the stock amid the first reports that the Trump Administration was seekingI've been contributing to Seeking Alpha and other investment websites since 2011, with a general (though far from rigid) focus on value over growth. I got my Series 7 and 63 back in 1999, and watched the dot-com bubble peak and then burst in real time at a small, tech-focused retail ...

Group 1 - The company Kenvue (NYSE: KVUE) has been positively received following its spin-off from Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) [1] - The investment focus is generally on value rather than growth, indicating a strategic approach to stock selection [1] - The analyst has a long position in Kenvue shares, suggesting confidence in the company's future performance [2] Group 2 - The article emphasizes the importance of individual opinions and experiences in investment analysis, reflecting a personal investment journey since 2011 [1] - The analyst's background includes obtaining Series 7 and 63 licenses, highlighting a level of expertise in the financial sector [1]

Core Viewpoint - Kenvue faces significant regulatory and reputational challenges due to unsubstantiated claims linking acetaminophen to autism during pregnancy, which threatens its Self-Care segment revenue [1][2] Company Overview - Kenvue, a consumer health company spun off from Johnson & Johnson in 2023, is defending the safety of acetaminophen, asserting that over a decade of research shows no credible evidence linking it to autism [2] - The company has experienced a market capitalization of $34 billion, but its stock has declined approximately 20% in 2025 due to concerns over market share erosion and litigation risks [4] Financial Performance - In Q2 of 2025, Kenvue reported a 4.2% decline in organic sales, with adjusted earnings narrowing from $0.32 per share to $0.29 per share over the last 12 months [5] Leadership Changes - Recent leadership changes, including the appointment of interim CEO Kirk Perry, who has over 30 years of experience in consumer packaged goods and technology, provide cautious optimism for the company's future [6] - The new leadership indicates a strategic pivot towards operational excellence and consumer-centric execution [6]

Core Viewpoint - President Trump's comments regarding Tylenol's potential link to autism during pregnancy have created a significant crisis for Kenvue, potentially reviving litigation that the company had previously managed to dismiss [1][4]. Group 1: Legal Implications - The FDA is in the process of changing the labeling for acetaminophen products to indicate a higher risk of autism when used by pregnant women, which could lead to increased lawsuits against Kenvue [2][3]. - If the FDA's label change is implemented, it may provide plaintiffs with new evidence to support their claims against Kenvue regarding autism risks [3][6]. - Legal experts suggest that the new FDA warning could be influential in court, despite the lack of established causality between acetaminophen and autism [6]. Group 2: Company Challenges - Kenvue is currently facing a public relations crisis, reminiscent of past incidents, while also trying to revamp its business and address declining sales under interim CEO Kirk Perry [4]. - The renewed focus on potential autism risks could complicate Kenvue's efforts to maintain investor confidence and stabilize its operations [4][5]. - Historical context includes a significant legal defeat for Kenvue's former parent company, Johnson & Johnson, which may embolden current litigation efforts against Kenvue [5].

Core Viewpoint - The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that there is no scientific evidence linking the use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) during pregnancy to autism in children, countering claims made by the Trump administration [1] Company Summary - Kenvue (KVUE.US), the manufacturer of Tylenol, experienced a stock price drop of over 7% following the Trump administration's concerns regarding autism risk associated with the drug [1] - Following the WHO's clarification, Kenvue's stock price has gradually recovered [1] Industry Summary - The European Medicines Agency (EMA) also stated that there is currently no evidence linking autism to acetaminophen [1] - WHO emphasized that the causes of autism may involve multiple factors and reiterated that substantial scientific evidence shows no link between vaccines and autism [1] - Previous studies claiming a connection between vaccines and autism have been discredited, according to WHO [1]

Group 1: Kenvue and Tylenol - Kenvue's shares dropped 7.5% after President Trump linked Tylenol to autism, resulting in a loss of approximately $2.6 billion in market value [2][4] - The company strongly disagreed with the connection, stating that independent science shows acetaminophen does not cause autism [3] - Kenvue's shares rebounded over 6% the following day, indicating a recovery from initial panic, with analysts noting limited risk of new lawsuits and potential impacts on public opinion [4] Group 2: Lithium Americas - Lithium Americas' shares surged 98.7% to $6.10 after reports of the Trump administration seeking a 10% equity stake in the company [5][6] - This interest is linked to the renegotiation of a $2.3 billion Department of Energy loan for the Thacker Pass project, the largest lithium deposit in the Western Hemisphere [5][6] Group 3: Trump Media & Technology Group - Trump Media & Technology Group reported a Q1 operating loss of $12.1 million and a GAAP net loss of $327.6 million, largely due to non-cash expenses [7][8] - The company's stock has been volatile, dropping 21.47% to $48.66 and hitting 52-week lows, with analysts suggesting it behaves like a "meme stock" driven by social media rather than fundamentals [9] Group 4: Tariffs and Market Reactions - President Trump's threats of tariffs on Russia and India have created mixed reactions in the market, with the effective tariff rate expected to approach 20% [10][11] - The Congressional Budget Office noted that tariffs are contributing to inflation and potentially affecting wage growth, indicating a complex economic environment [11] Group 5: Government Shutdown Concerns - The looming risk of a U.S. government shutdown has historically not led to significant market declines, with the S&P 500 rising during past shutdowns [12][13] - However, immediate market sentiment was cautious, with stock futures slipping and gold prices rising, reflecting investor anxiety [13]

Market Overview - U.S. stocks finished lower, with the Nasdaq leading declines, primarily driven by Nvidia's share drop after announcing a plan to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI [1][7] - Major tech companies such as Amazon.com, Microsoft, and Apple also experienced declines [1][7] - AutoZone's shares fell after reporting fourth-quarter profits that missed estimates [1][7] Federal Reserve Insights - Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicated the need to balance inflation concerns with a weakening job market in future interest rate decisions [7] - Powell's speech was characterized as somewhat dovish, leaving the door open for another rate cut, but without specific timing or magnitude [2][7] - Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman suggested that the Fed could downplay persistent inflation concerns and should commit to rate cuts to support the job market [6][7] Index Performance - The S&P 500 lost 36.57 points, or 0.55%, closing at 6,657.18 points [6] - The Nasdaq Composite fell 214.84 points, or 0.93%, ending at 22,577.34 [6] - The Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased by 82.46 points, or 0.18%, to close at 46,299.08 [6] Company-Specific Developments - Boeing's shares edged higher after securing an order from Uzbekistan Airways valued at over $8 billion, helping to limit declines on the Dow [6][7] - Kenvue, the maker of Tylenol, saw its shares rise on Tuesday after a significant drop of 7.5% on Monday, influenced by comments from U.S. President Donald Trump linking autism to childhood vaccine use and Tylenol consumption during pregnancy [6][7]

Company Overview - Kenvue, the maker of Tylenol, experienced a significant stock fluctuation, dropping 7.5% on Monday following comments from President Trump, but rebounded by over 6% at the opening of trading on Tuesday [3][8] - Kenvue was spun off from Johnson & Johnson in 2023 to enhance operational efficiency, and it produces various consumer health products including Band-Aids and Listerine [6] Industry Context - President Trump's remarks linked Tylenol to autism, which Kenvue strongly disputed, emphasizing the importance of the drug for pregnant women facing health risks [5][8] - The announcement by Trump was based on existing studies rather than new research, and it coincided with the activities of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic [4][8] Market Reaction - Analysts, including Citi Investment Research's Filippo Falorni, noted a limited risk of new lawsuits but acknowledged potential negative impacts on Tylenol consumption due to the adverse publicity [8] - Despite the controversy, the lack of new scientific evidence is expected to lead to a positive market reaction for Kenvue's stock [8]

Core Viewpoint - Kenvue, the company behind Tylenol, is facing a crisis due to President Trump's comments regarding the safety of the drug, which echoes a historical crisis from the 1980s when Tylenol was involved in a poisoning scandal [1][2][3] Group 1: Historical Context - The original Tylenol crisis occurred in 1982 when seven people died after consuming capsules laced with potassium cyanide, leading to the "Tylenol murders" [1] - Johnson & Johnson (J&J), the original owner, effectively managed the crisis, setting a standard for crisis management that is still referenced today [1][3] - J&J's response included immediate public warnings, a consumer hotline, and a significant recall of millions of bottles, which accounted for 19% of J&J's corporate profits in the first three quarters of 1982 [14][13] Group 2: Current Crisis Management - In response to Trump's claims, Kenvue quickly issued a statement defending Tylenol, emphasizing that acetaminophen is safe for pregnant women and that there is no credible evidence linking it to autism [2][9] - Kenvue's rapid response contrasts with the slower communication methods of the 1980s, highlighting the importance of timely and focused messaging in today's fast-paced information environment [4][8] - Experts suggest that Kenvue should maintain a clear and consistent message to reassure the public about Tylenol's safety, similar to J&J's approach in the past [10][12][17] Group 3: Industry Impact and Future Outlook - J&J's handling of the 1982 crisis not only salvaged the Tylenol brand but also led to industry-wide changes, such as the introduction of tamper-proof seals on medication [15][16] - Experts believe that Kenvue can navigate the current situation successfully, as Tylenol has a long-standing reputation and has weathered past crises [17] - The company is advised to continue reinforcing its safety message and potentially engage in further studies to validate its claims [17]

Kenvue stock is rebounding. It may be a largely a case of things-could've-been- worse. ...