Financial giants have made a conspicuous bullish move on Johnson & Johnson. Our analysis of options history for Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) revealed 17 unusual trades.Delving into the details, we found 58% of traders were bullish, while 23% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 3 were puts, with a value of $283,763, and 14 were calls, valued at $935,177.Projected Price TargetsAnalyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a ...

Core Viewpoint - Long-term dividend stocks are generally more stable and provide consistent dividends due to their established nature and lower volatility compared to the broader market [1][2] Group 1: Waste Management - Waste Management Inc. is a significant player in the waste and recyclables collection industry, with a market capitalization exceeding $92 billion [4] - The company has a dividend yield of 1.40%, an annual dividend of $3.30, and a 22-year track record of increasing dividends, with a payout ratio of 48.96% [5] - In the second quarter of 2025, Waste Management reported a 19% year-over-year increase in revenue, alongside strong earnings per share (EPS) [6] - Operating expenses have decreased to less than 60% of revenue, contributing to a solid free cash flow projection of nearly $3 billion for the year [7] Group 2: Eversource Energy - Eversource Energy, a major utility provider in the northeast, has a dividend yield of 4.63% and an annual dividend of $3.01, but a high payout ratio of 129.18% [9] - The company managed to slightly increase its EPS to 96 cents, surpassing analyst expectations, and reaffirmed its full-year EPS guidance [10] - Eversource's revenue grew by 12% year-over-year, although it fell short of predictions, with a permanent rate increase in New Hampshire expected to provide stability [11] Group 3: Johnson & Johnson - Johnson & Johnson boasts a dividend yield of 3.00%, an annual dividend of $5.20, and an impressive 64-year history of dividend increases, with a payout ratio of 55.61% [12][13] - The company exceeded EPS predictions by 9 cents and revenue estimates by nearly $900 million in its mid-July earnings report [13] - Growth is driven by its innovative medicine business, particularly in oncology, with potential peak sales of $5 billion for its drug candidate TAR200 [14]

Core Viewpoint - Johnson & Johnson is a reliable dividend stock with a strong financial profile, showcasing its ability to maintain and grow dividends while investing heavily in research and development and strategic growth opportunities [1][12]. Financial Performance - The company reported approximately $6.2 billion in free cash flow for the first half of the year, covering its year-to-date dividend payment of $6.1 billion [4]. - Free cash flow decreased slightly from $7.5 billion in the same period last year, but the company generated $20 billion in total free cash flow last year, easily covering its $11.8 billion dividend outlay [5]. - Johnson & Johnson has a pristine AAA bond rating and ended the first quarter with $19 billion in cash and marketable securities, against $51 billion in debt, resulting in a net debt of $32 billion [6]. Investment Strategy - The company invested over $17 billion in R&D last year, representing 19.4% of total sales, and a total of $50 billion in growth initiatives, including acquisitions [8]. - Johnson & Johnson anticipates elevated growth in the second half of the year, raising its annual revenue guidance by $2 billion, implying a 5.4% growth for the full year [9]. Future Outlook - By 2027, the company expects one-third of its MedTech sales to come from new products, and it plans to launch over 10 innovative medicine assets by 2030, potentially generating over $5 billion in peak-year sales [10][11]. - The company’s strong balance sheet will support continued R&D efforts and strategic M&A opportunities, ensuring ongoing revenue and free cash flow growth [11].