J&J posts strong Q1

Johnson & Johnson raised its 2026 outlook on Tuesday after first-quarter sales climbed to $24.1 billion and adjusted earnings topped Wall Street estimates. (investor.jnj.com) The company reported first-quarter sales of $24.06 billion, up 9.9% as reported, with earnings per share of $2.14 and adjusted earnings per share of $2.70 for the quarter ended March 30, 2026. Johnson & Johnson said adjusted operational sales growth was 5.3%. (jnj.com) Its MedTech unit, which sells devices used in surgery, vision care and heart procedures, posted $8.64 billion in sales, up 7.7% year over year. Johnson & Johnson also lifted full-year guidance to $100.3 billion to $101.3 billion in sales and $11.45 to $11.65 in adjusted earnings per share. (jnj.com) The report gives investors a fresh read on Johnson & Johnson after the company spent the past year leaning harder on prescription drugs and medical devices following the Kenvue consumer-health spinoff. Johnson & Johnson completed that separation in 2023, leaving Innovative Medicine and MedTech as its two operating segments. (jnj.com) Those two businesses are now carrying the company’s growth plan into 2026. In Tuesday’s release, Johnson & Johnson said it is targeting reported sales of about $100.8 billion and adjusted earnings per share of about $11.55 at the midpoint of its new range. (investor.jnj.com) Chief Executive Joaquin Duato said recent product approvals included Icotyde for plaque psoriasis, Tecvayli plus Darzalex Faspro for earlier-line multiple myeloma, Varipulse Pro in Europe and Tecnis PureSee in the United States. Those launches span both the drug and device sides of the business. (jnj.com) Johnson & Johnson also said on its earnings day materials that it is still pursuing a plan to separate its DePuy Synthes orthopaedics business, a move that would further reshape the MedTech portfolio. MassDevice reported the unit remains a near-term divestiture focus for the company. (investor.jnj.com) (massdevice.com) Wall Street had been looking for about $23.66 billion in sales and $2.69 in adjusted earnings per share, according to published consensus figures, so the quarter landed slightly ahead on both measures. The company’s higher forecast now sets the bar for the rest of 2026. (businessupturn.com)