Opinions
Lorne Steinberg
Johnson & Johnson
JNJ-N
PAST TOP PICK
Jun 27, 2024
Stock price when the opinion was issued
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Johnson & Johnson is a holding company, which engages in the research and development, manufacture and sale of products in the health care field. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Health, Pharmaceutical, and Medical Devices. The Consumer Health segment includes products used in the baby care, oral care, beauty, over-the-counter pharmaceutical, women's health, and wound care markets. The Pharmaceutical segment focuses on therapeutic areas, such as immunology, infectious diseases, neuroscience, oncology, pulmonary hypertension, and cardiovascular & metabolic diseases. Social media mentions are up 250% in the past 24h.
Is a hodge-podge of consumer products, some medical business and an also-ran in businesses like hips and knees. This has always traded at a premium for being a well-run consumer package company that money managers can't get fired for owning. It's so big that it needs to be broken up.
After spinoff, now just pharma and medical technologies/devices. One of 2 AAA-rated US companies (the other is MSFT). Pristine balance sheet forever. Divvy increases for 62 consecutive years, all from free cashflow. Crazy-cheap valuation of 14-15x PE, partly due to ongoing talc litigation. Yield is 3.34%.
Recent press release was like none other. Company stated talc litigation based on fake science; if the other side won't settle, JNJ will litigate each and every case separately. He suspects this is a ploy to force a settlement. Expects it to be over by year's end.
It reports Tuesday when we should get a legal update about those suing JNJ for cancer allegedly being in their talcum powder. It's been stuck in a range forever, though not in a perpetual downturn like other pharma. This could turn around on any big news on any new drug.
At Johnson & Johnson, we believe good health is the foundation of vibrant lives, thriving communities and forward progress. That’s why for almost 140 years, we have aimed to keep people well at every age and every stage of life. Today we are committed to using our reach and size for good. We strive to improve access and affordability, create healthier communities, and put a healthy mind, body and environment within reach of everyone, everywhere. Social media mentions are up 18% in the past 24h.
Talcum powder settlement offer going to plaintiffs' vote on July 26, needs 75% approval. If deal is accepted, overhang will be gone, and you have a chance to buy at cheapest valuation in 20 years at 13x PE. Now pure medical devices (huge demographic play) and pharma since the spinoff.