New York, Jan 24, 2026, 10:24 EST — Market closed
- Shares of Johnson & Johnson closed Friday 0.8% higher, at $220.14.
- TD Cowen and Citi bumped their price targets to $250 following the company’s 2026 forecast, while Stifel took a more cautious stance.
- Traders enter Monday focused on estimate revisions and any new developments in the talc litigation.
Johnson & Johnson shares ended Friday 0.8% higher, closing at $220.14. The stock fluctuated between $217.80 and $221.20 as U.S. markets closed for the weekend.
The shift wrapped up a week marked by brokerages raising price targets following the healthcare conglomerate’s early 2026 forecast.
Johnson & Johnson is a heavyweight “defensive” stock, the type investors turn to when markets get jittery. Even minor tweaks in guidance or litigation risks can quickly reshape their bets.
A series of target raises often attracts systematic money, particularly when the stock is hovering near key levels such as $220.
TD Cowen’s Joshua Jennings bumped his price target to $250 from $222 and stuck with a buy rating, noting the company’s initial 2026 guidance should boost revenue and earnings forecasts on the Street.
At Citi, analyst Joanne Wuensch raised her price target to $250 from $232 and maintained a buy rating, citing the quarter as a springboard for “beat and raise” potential in 2026. TipRanks
Stifel’s Rick Wise raised his price target to $220 from $205 but stuck with a hold rating. He cited Q4 sales beating expectations and initial 2026 guidance that came in above consensus.
Johnson & Johnson posted $24.6 billion in sales for Q4 2025, with adjusted earnings per share hitting $2.46. The company also rolled out 2026 guidance, forecasting reported sales around $100.5 billion at the midpoint and adjusted EPS of $11.53. (Adjusted EPS excludes certain one-time items.)
The company highlighted robust performance from key drugs like Darzalex and Tremfya in its outlook. Cancer treatment Carvykti surpassed $1 billion in annual sales, but Stelara dropped more than anticipated amid growing biosimilar competition.
The legal cloud remains over the stock. A court-appointed special master has recommended letting experts who link the company’s talc products to ovarian cancer testify in the federal talc cases. These cases are part of a multidistrict litigation, which pools related lawsuits into one court for pretrial handling.
Income investors got a clear trigger. The company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $1.30 per share, set for payment on March 10, with an ex-dividend date of Feb. 24.
All eyes will be on Monday’s open to see if the target hikes spark new buying interest — and if consensus estimates shift after the updated guidance. Johnson & Johnson has set Tuesday, April 14, 2026, for its first-quarter earnings release.
