New York, Jan 26, 2026, 13:16 (EST) — Regular session
Johnson & Johnson shares edged up 0.4% to $221.01 on Monday, after briefly hitting $222 earlier. The stock fluctuated between $220 and $222 as investors remained focused on major defensive healthcare players.
The subtle shift carried weight as markets braced for a packed week ahead: the Federal Reserve’s decision and earnings from major tech giants. “Wednesday’s Fed announcement will likely keep politics in the headlines,” noted Chris Larkin of E*Trade at Morgan Stanley. 1
Investors are digesting J&J’s outlook from last week, which exceeded Wall Street’s estimates despite factoring in a U.S. drug-pricing deal drag. CFO Joseph Wolk described the hit as “hundreds of millions of dollars” in an interview. 2
Johnson & Johnson projected adjusted earnings per share between $11.43 and $11.63 for 2026 in a regulatory filing, alongside expected reported sales ranging from $100 billion to $101 billion. “2025 was a catapult year for Johnson & Johnson,” CEO Joaquin Duato said in the company’s results statement. 3
Earlier this month, J&J announced a deal with the Trump administration to lower drug prices for Americans, gaining exemptions from U.S. tariffs in return. This agreement has cast a shadow over the sector, despite some companies reporting strong sales growth. 4
The biggest wildcard still lies in the legal battles over talc. A court-appointed special master has recommended that plaintiffs’ experts be allowed to testify that J&J’s talc products caused ovarian cancer—potentially paving the way for federal trials. J&J continues to deny these allegations. On another front, the company faces growing pressure on Stelara as biosimilars—near-identical versions of complex biologics—chip away at its market share. 5
In healthcare, the sector edged up, with the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund gaining 0.4%. Pfizer climbed 0.9%, Merck dipped 0.4%, while Eli Lilly remained mostly flat.
J&J’s story is well-worn: solid drug and device sales, a steady stream of pipeline updates, and ongoing concerns over litigation and U.S. pricing policies. Monday saw investors largely on the sidelines, choosing to hold steady.
The Fed’s upcoming two-day meeting is set for Jan. 27–28. The policy decision will drop at 2:00 p.m. ET on Jan. 28, with a press briefing immediately after at 2:30 p.m. 6
After Wednesday’s rate decision, traders will be eyeing court rulings on talc expert testimony and any moves from Washington on drug pricing and tariffs — headlines capable of shaking even a steady giant like J&J.
