New York, Jan 13, 2026, 12:12 EST — Regular session
- JNJ shares climbed during midday trading, outperforming a weaker healthcare sector.
- The Delaware Supreme Court has ordered a recalculation of a portion of a $1 billion damages award connected to Auris.
- Traders are focused on legal updates ahead of the company’s earnings call on Jan. 21.
Johnson & Johnson shares climbed roughly 1.6% to $212.98 on Tuesday, bucking a minor slide in healthcare stocks as the overall market showed little direction. The stock hit a session peak of $213.48 and dipped to $208.93 at its low. Meanwhile, the Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF fell around 0.3%, with the S&P 500 ETF holding steady.
Investors are trying to distinguish one-off legal noise from factors that could impact cash costs and guidance in the coming quarters. For Johnson & Johnson, court rulings and drug-data updates often overlap awkwardly — and the company’s earnings report is just a week away.
This matters as traders gear up for earnings season, recalibrating risk around major, steady firms typically seen as “defensives.” Any unexpected legal trouble or changes in drug growth pace can still shake up the stock.
Delaware’s Supreme Court on Monday tossed part of a $1 billion damages award linked to Johnson & Johnson’s 2019 purchase of surgical-robot maker Auris Health, sending the case back for a recalculation that could slash the bill by “a couple of hundred million dollars,” including interest. Former Auris shareholders had claimed the company failed to support Auris’ iPlatform technology and dragged its feet on regulatory approvals after the deal valued Auris at $3.4 billion. Johnson & Johnson said it’s reviewing its options, while Fortis lawyer Philippe Selendy argued the ruling still confirms the company “inexcusably breached” the merger agreement. 1
The company also highlighted new neuroscience data it will unveil at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology meeting. This includes fresh Phase 3 results for CAPLYTA (lumateperone) and additional research on SPRAVATO (esketamine) targeting treatment-resistant depression — cases where standard treatments fail. Phase 3 trials, which are crucial for regulatory approval, are the focus here. Bill Martin, the company’s global neuroscience therapeutic area head, said their aim is “remission from disease.” 2
Legal headlines continue around Johnson & Johnson’s talc litigation. On Tuesday, Bloomberg Law reported the company pushed a New Jersey appellate panel to remove plaintiff firm Beasley Allen from a major talc case. This dispute could impact the firm’s cut of “potentially $22 billion in claims.” Former New Jersey Supreme Court justice Peter G. Verniero weighed in, saying courts can’t function if conflicted parties “collaborate or partner” on the same case. 3
Markets showed volatility following fresh U.S. inflation figures. The Consumer Price Index climbed 0.3% in December, pushing the annual headline rate to 2.7%. Meanwhile, the CPI excluding food and energy increased 2.6% year over year.
But the rally isn’t without limits. The Delaware court upheld most of the Auris ruling, and the damages figure still needs recalculation. The talc litigation also persists as an open question, with procedural moves potentially shifting the balance in settlement negotiations.
Johnson & Johnson is set to release its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings on Jan. 21 at 8:30 a.m. ET. Investors will zero in on the company’s guidance, ongoing litigation expenses, and any insights into the drug pipeline following this week’s event. 4
