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JNJ vs NVS
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs. Novartis (NVS) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- JNJ has outperformed NVS year-to-date (YTD, meaning from the start of the current year), with returns of 10.66% compared to 8.08%.
- JNJ offers greater stability with a lower beta of 0.33 versus NVS's 0.52, indicating less volatility relative to the market.
- NVS provides a higher dividend yield at 3.26% compared to JNJ's 2.35%.
- Both stocks have shown resilience in recent market activity, but JNJ benefits from MedTech (medical technology) segment growth and strategic acquisitions.
- NVS reported strong Q1 sales growth of 34% but faced a core operating income decline amid generics pressure.
- JNJ's larger market cap of $548B dwarfs NVS's $278B, underscoring its scale advantage.
Introduction
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Novartis (NVS) stand as pillars in the healthcare sector, offering diversified exposure to pharmaceuticals and medical devices. This comparison is particularly relevant for income-focused investors seeking defensive stocks amid market volatility, as well as traders eyeing relative performance in recent weeks. Both companies deliver steady dividends and benefit from aging population trends, but differ in business focus, growth drivers, and momentum. By examining recent performance, key metrics, and market positioning, investors can gauge which aligns better with current conditions in a landscape shaped by earnings reports and pipeline developments.
JNJ Overview and Recent Performance
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), a diversified healthcare giant, operates through Innovative Medicine and MedTech segments, generating robust revenue from pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and surgical solutions. Trading around $228 per share with a market cap exceeding $548 billion, JNJ boasts a trailing price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 26.40 and forward PE of 19.68, reflecting solid earnings per share (EPS) of $8.63 (trailing twelve months, TTM). In recent market activity, the stock has exhibited stability, climbing over 50% in the past year and 10.66% YTD, supported by Q1 FY26 results showing revenue of $24.06 billion and EPS beating estimates slightly. Sentiment has improved due to MedTech growth, expansions in cardiovascular via acquisitions like Atraverse Medical, and an upcoming dividend ex-date. Low beta underscores its defensive appeal amid broader volatility.
NVS Overview and Recent Performance
Novartis (NVS), a leading global pharmaceutical firm headquartered in Switzerland, focuses on innovative medicines across oncology, immunology, and neuroscience, with key products driving revenue. Priced near $146 per share and a $278 billion market cap, it features a trailing PE of 20.85, forward PE of 16.18, and TTM EPS of $6.98. Recent weeks have seen mixed performance, with 33% one-year gains but softer 8.08% YTD returns. Q1 2026 sales surged 34% from blockbuster drugs, yet core operating income dropped 14% due to generics erosion, causing a post-earnings dip. Pipeline bolstering via acquisitions like Excellergy ($2 billion for allergy therapies) and Synnovation (up to $3 billion for breast cancer) sustains optimism, complemented by a attractive 3.26% dividend yield.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
JNJ and NVS both anchor the healthcare space but diverge in models: JNJ balances pharma with MedTech for revenue diversity (~36% from devices), while NVS emphasizes pure-play drug innovation. Growth drivers contrast—JNJ leverages MedTech momentum and acquisitions; NVS pursues aggressive pipeline via multi-billion deals. Recent momentum favors JNJ with superior YTD/1Y returns and earnings beats, versus NVS's sales strength offset by income pressures. Risk profiles highlight JNJ's lower beta and scale against NVS's higher yield but generics exposure. Sector-wise, both tap demographics, yet sentiment tilts toward JNJ's stability in choppy markets.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI models currently lean toward JNJ over NVS, citing superior trend consistency, lower volatility, and positive catalysts like MedTech expansion amid recent earnings resilience. While NVS offers pipeline upside and yield appeal, its earnings miss tempers near-term positioning. This probabilistic edge reflects observable momentum and relative stability, though market shifts could alter dynamics.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is JNJ is a Buy and NVS is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
JNJ’s FA Score shows that 3 FA rating(s) are green whileNVS’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s).
- JNJ’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
- NVS’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
JNJ’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while NVS’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- JNJ’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 3 bearish.
- NVS’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
JNJ (@Pharmaceuticals: Major) experienced а +3.48% price change this week, while NVS (@Pharmaceuticals: Major) price change was +2.62% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Pharmaceuticals: Major industry was +1.21%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +6.56%, and the average quarterly price growth was +4.69%.
Reported Earning Dates
JNJ is expected to report earnings on Jul 15, 2026.
NVS is expected to report earnings on Jul 21, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Pharmaceuticals: Major (+1.21% weekly)The Major Pharmaceuticals industry includes companies that are involved in various processes of creating drugs to treat/prevent diseases. These companies engage in research, testing and manufacturing, as well as the distribution of pharmaceuticals into markets. Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co., Inc., Pfizer Inc. and Novartis are among the largest companies in this category.
| JNJ | NVS | JNJ / NVS | |
| Capitalization | 580B | 291B | 199% |
| EBITDA | 33.7B | 22.4B | 150% |
| Gain YTD | 17.682 | 14.380 | 123% |
| P/E Ratio | 27.91 | 21.93 | 127% |
| Revenue | 96.4B | 56.6B | 170% |
| Total Cash | 22.1B | 6.98B | 317% |
| Total Debt | 55B | 47B | 117% |
JNJ | NVS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 22 | 35 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 13 Undervalued | 6 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 10 | 6 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 36 | 27 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 45 | 47 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 18 | 36 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 55 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
NVS's Valuation (6) in the Pharmaceuticals Major industry is in the same range as JNJ (13). This means that NVS’s stock grew similarly to JNJ’s over the last 12 months.
NVS's Profit vs Risk Rating (6) in the Pharmaceuticals Major industry is in the same range as JNJ (10). This means that NVS’s stock grew similarly to JNJ’s over the last 12 months.
NVS's SMR Rating (27) in the Pharmaceuticals Major industry is in the same range as JNJ (36). This means that NVS’s stock grew similarly to JNJ’s over the last 12 months.
JNJ's Price Growth Rating (45) in the Pharmaceuticals Major industry is in the same range as NVS (47). This means that JNJ’s stock grew similarly to NVS’s over the last 12 months.
JNJ's P/E Growth Rating (18) in the Pharmaceuticals Major industry is in the same range as NVS (36). This means that JNJ’s stock grew similarly to NVS’s over the last 12 months.
| JNJ | NVS | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 29% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 43% | 2 days ago 39% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 42% | 2 days ago 49% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 33% | 2 days ago 56% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 43% | 2 days ago 53% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 46% | 2 days ago 48% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 44% | 9 days ago 51% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 12 days ago 42% | 12 days ago 45% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | N/A | 2 days ago 54% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 45% | 2 days ago 45% |
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JNJ and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, JNJ has been loosely correlated with PFE. These tickers have moved in lockstep 59% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if JNJ jumps, then PFE could also see price increases.
NVS and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, NVS has been loosely correlated with GSK. These tickers have moved in lockstep 64% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if NVS jumps, then GSK could also see price increases.