Core Insights - Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is optimistic about revenue growth, projecting 5-7% annual growth by 2026, with potential for double-digit growth in the 2030s, driven by oncology and other key sectors [1] Group 1: Revenue Growth Drivers - J&J identified six major growth drivers: three in pharmaceuticals (oncology, immunology, neuroscience) and three in medtech (surgery, cardiovascular, vision) [1] - Oncology is expected to generate $50 billion in revenue, with multiple myeloma (MM) sales projected to reach $25 billion by 2030 [2] Group 2: Oncology Portfolio - The largest franchise, Darzalex/Faspro (daratumumab), is anticipated to contribute over half of the MM sales, being central to many current and pipeline regimens [2] - J&J expects significant sales growth for Carvykti (ciltacabtagene autoleucel) despite market headwinds, with no supply restrictions and a focus on late-line patients [3] Group 3: Strategic Developments - J&J is developing a trispecific T-cell engager, ramantamig, currently in Phase I trials, and is working on leading in vivo CAR-T therapies through a partnership with Kelonia Therapeutics [4] - The company aims to maintain its dominance in MM by ensuring patients have access to J&J therapies across all treatment lines [3] Group 4: Underestimated Franchises - CEO Duato highlighted Rybrevant (amivantamab) and Lacluze (Lazertinib) as underestimated, with potential to outperform AstraZeneca's Tagrisso (Osimertinib) in NSCLC, projecting $6.3 billion in global sales by 2030 [5] - Inlexzo, an intravesical delivery system for gemcitabine, is expected to achieve $3.0 billion in global sales by 2030, with anticipated label expansions [5]

Core Insights - Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) is recognized as one of the 14 Best Dividend Growth Stocks to buy and hold in 2026 [1] - Barclays has raised its price target for JNJ from $197 to $217, citing strong sales from key drugs like Darzalex, Tremfya, and Simponi, which may exceed Q4 consensus estimates [2] - The company has invested $10.4 billion in research and development (R&D) through Q3, positioning itself as a leading innovator globally, while also maintaining strong free cash flow [3] Financial Performance - JNJ's R&D investment of $10.4 billion supports its ongoing revenue and earnings growth, allowing for continued dividend increases, currently yielding approximately 2.5% [3] - The recent acquisition of Halda Therapeutics for $3.1 billion is expected to enhance JNJ's capabilities in cancer treatment [3] Oncology Sector - Oncology is a significant area for JNJ, with key products like Rybrevant and Lazcluze targeting advanced non-small cell lung cancer, and Inlexzo expected to contribute to the oncology portfolio [4]

Core Insights - The Meridian Hedged Equity Fund reported a return of 1.67% in Q3 2025, underperforming the S&P 500 Index which returned 8.13% and the CBOE S&P 500 BuyWrite Index which returned 3.53% [1] Company Overview - Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) is a major player in the healthcare sector, focusing on innovative pharmaceuticals and medical devices [3] - The company has a market capitalization of $495.785 billion, with its stock closing at $205.78 per share on December 23, 2025 [2] Performance Metrics - Johnson & Johnson's stock experienced a one-month return of -0.43% but gained 41.09% over the last 52 weeks [2] Strategic Developments - Johnson & Johnson is facing a critical transition as sales from its blockbuster drug Stelara decline due to patent expiration, but it is countering this with a strong pipeline of new drugs, particularly in oncology and immunology [3] - The company secured FDA approval for Inlexzo, a new bladder cancer treatment, and its lung cancer drug Rybrevant is moving closer to broader adoption following positive trial data [3] - Strong sales momentum from other key drugs has compensated for the decline in Stelara, and favorable legal developments have eased concerns regarding ongoing talc litigation [3] Investment Sentiment - Johnson & Johnson was held by 103 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q3 2025, an increase from 95 in the previous quarter [4] - Despite its potential, some analysts believe that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and less downside risk compared to Johnson & Johnson [4]

Industry Overview - The drug and biotech sector has shown recovery after a weak first half, with large drugmakers signing pricing agreements with the Trump administration [1] - Dealmaking activity surged in the second half, boosting investor confidence, with the Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry outperforming the S&P 500 in the past three months [1][4] - Innovation is at its peak, particularly in areas like obesity, cell and gene therapy, and next-gen oncology treatments, attracting investor attention [2] - Despite headwinds such as pipeline setbacks and regulatory risks, the outlook for growth in 2026 remains favorable due to rapid innovation and increased use of AI in drug development [2] Eli Lilly - Eli Lilly has achieved significant success with its tirzepatide medicines, including diabetes drug Mounjaro and weight loss medicine Zepbound, which are key revenue drivers [6][7] - Strong sales growth in 2025 is attributed to international market launches and improved production, with continued demand expected in 2026 [7] - Lilly is investing in obesity treatments with new molecules in clinical development, including orforglipron and retatrutide, with regulatory applications filed for orforglipron [8][9] - Despite challenges like declining product prices and competition in the GLP-1 market, Lilly's stock has risen 39.3% year to date, with 2026 earnings estimates improving from $30.78 to $33.61 per share [10] Johnson & Johnson - J&J has shown strong operational performance in 2025, with double-digit revenue growth from key brands despite the loss of exclusivity for Stelara [11] - The Innovative Medicine segment is expected to accelerate growth in 2026, driven by key products and new launches [12] - J&J's MedTech business has improved, with growth driven by acquired cardiovascular businesses and new product launches expected to contribute to 2026 growth [13][14] - The company has advanced its pipeline significantly and is on an acquisition spree, with a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and a stock rise of 43.3% year to date [17] AbbVie - AbbVie faces declining sales from Humira due to loss of exclusivity but has successfully launched new immunology medicines Skyrizi and Rinvoq, generating combined sales of $18.5 billion in the first nine months of 2025 [18][19] - Strong market growth and new indications for these drugs are expected to drive future growth, alongside contributions from newer drugs [20] - AbbVie anticipates a high single-digit CAGR through 2029, supported by robust performance from Skyrizi and Rinvoq, with a Zacks Rank of 3 and a stock rise of 28.2% year to date [21][22] Amgen - Amgen's revenue growth is driven by key medicines like Repatha and new biosimilars, compensating for declines from mature drugs [23][24] - The company is focusing on obesity treatments with its candidate MariTide, which differentiates itself with a convenient dosing method [24] - Amgen's stock has risen 27.3% year to date, with 2026 earnings estimates increasing from $21.43 to $21.62 per share [25] AstraZeneca - AstraZeneca has several blockbuster drugs exceeding $1 billion in sales, with newer products contributing to growth despite losses from mature brands [26][27] - The company expects to achieve industry-leading top-line growth through 2030, with plans to launch 20 new medicines and generate $80 billion in total revenues [28] - AstraZeneca faces challenges such as competition and regulatory impacts but maintains a stable earnings estimate of $5.15 per share for 2026, with a stock rise of 10.7% year to date [29][30]

Core Insights - Johnson & Johnson's (JNJ) stock has increased by 16.7% over the past three months, primarily driven by strong third-quarter 2025 results that exceeded expectations in both revenue and earnings, along with an upward revision of sales guidance for the year [1][9]. Group 1: Company Performance - J&J's Innovative Medicine unit has shown consistent growth, with sales rising 3.4% in the first nine months of 2025 despite the loss of exclusivity for its product Stelara, which previously accounted for around 18% of the unit's sales [5][16]. - The Innovative Medicine segment achieved over $15 billion in sales for the second consecutive quarter, supported by key drugs such as Darzalex, Erleada, and Tremfya, as well as new products like Carvykti and Tecvayli [5][8]. - J&J anticipates accelerated growth in the Innovative Medicine segment in 2026, driven by both existing and newly launched products [6]. Group 2: Pipeline and Regulatory Developments - J&J has made significant progress in its pipeline, achieving key clinical and regulatory milestones, including approvals for new treatments like Inlexzo and Imaavy [7]. - The company believes that ten of its new products in the Innovative Medicine segment have the potential to generate peak sales of $5 billion [11]. Group 3: MedTech Segment and Strategic Moves - J&J's MedTech business has shown improvement, particularly due to acquisitions in the cardiovascular sector, and plans to separate its Orthopaedics franchise into a standalone company to focus on high-growth markets [12][13]. - The company expects better growth in the MedTech segment in 2026, driven by the adoption of new products and a focus on higher-growth markets [14]. Group 4: Challenges and Legal Issues - J&J faces challenges in China due to the volume-based procurement (VBP) program, which is impacting sales [15]. - The company is dealing with over 73,000 lawsuits related to its talc-based products, which allege health risks, and has recently shifted back to the traditional tort system after a failed bankruptcy strategy [19][20]. Group 5: Stock Performance and Valuation - J&J's stock has outperformed the industry, rising 42.5% year-to-date compared to a 16.0% increase in the industry [22]. - The stock is currently trading at a price/earnings ratio of 18.04, which is higher than the industry average of 17.04 and above its five-year mean of 15.65 [26]. Group 6: Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for J&J's 2025 earnings has increased slightly from $10.86 to $10.87 per share, while the estimate for 2026 has risen from $11.37 to $11.48 [29].