Johnson & Johnson’s fourth quarter results reveal that sales were up just 1% to $20.4 billion, with adjusted net income coming-in at just $5.37 billion, which is $1.97 per share. These results gave evidence of gradual slowing compared to what this healthcare giant has witnessed in revenue growth recently.
A few items played significant roles in hurting J&J’s growth. Decreasing sales in certain quarters owing to negative currency effects; the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures during the year also affected performance without which worldwide sales would have risen 5.5%, with international sales climbing 7.8% and U.S. sales rising by 3.4% on an operational basis.
J&J’s pharmaceutical segment emerged as the market leader in 2018 and registered recorded sales after growing by 5.3%. But areas like neuroscience and cardiovascular still remain weak spots for the company. The consumer segment also saw an overall sales decline of 0.1%, while revenue in the wound care and baby care took the biggest hit.
Guidance indicates that the company expects to deliver sales in the range of $80.4 billion and $81.2 billion for 2019, and that's keeping the investors hopeful. It represents operational growth of just 0% to 1%, and even after making adjustments to those figures, growth could be limited to only 2% to 3% for the year.
In addition to poor sales growth, legal issues are also a concern. Litigation expenses almost doubled last year, owing to allegations from customers regarding safety issues with the company’s talc powder products that may be unfavorable for future customers.
What is more concerning now is that if the pharmaceutical segment fails to generate revenue, there is little for the company to attract investors.
On April 22, 2024, the Stochastic Oscillator for JNJ moved out of oversold territory and this could be a bullish sign for the stock. Traders may want to buy the stock or buy call options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 55 instances where the indicator left the oversold zone. In of the 55 cases the stock moved higher in the following days. This puts the odds of a move higher at over .
The RSI Indicator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where JNJ's RSI Oscillator exited the oversold zone, of 36 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are .
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for JNJ just turned positive on April 23, 2024. Looking at past instances where JNJ's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in of 48 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
Following a 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where JNJ advanced for three days, in of 335 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
JNJ may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on April 03, 2024. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on JNJ as a result. In of 81 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
The 10-day moving average for JNJ crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on March 22, 2024. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In of 19 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
The 50-day moving average for JNJ moved below the 200-day moving average on April 12, 2024. This could be a long-term bearish signal for the stock as the stock shifts to an downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where JNJ declined for three days, the price rose further in of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
The Aroon Indicator for JNJ entered a downward trend on April 26, 2024. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is seriously undervalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (5.528) is normal, around the industry mean (5.632). P/E Ratio (30.342) is within average values for comparable stocks, (48.974). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.968) is also within normal values, averaging (3.004). Dividend Yield (0.030) settles around the average of (0.164) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (4.744) is also within normal values, averaging (3.643).
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 73, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating fairly steady price growth. JNJ’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The average fundamental analysis ratings, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, are as follows
an investment holding company with interests in health care products
Industry PharmaceuticalsMajor