Topic: How To Invest

Pat: Can I have your recommendation on whether or not Johnson & Johnson is a buy? Thank you.

Article Excerpt

A: Johnson & Johnson, $123.07, symbol JNJ on New York (Shares outstanding: 2.8 billion; Market cap: $337.9 billion; www.jnj.com), operates through three major businesses: Pharmaceutical (47% of revenue) makes anti-infective, antipsychotic, contraceptive, dermatological and gastrointestinal drugs; Medical devices and diagnostics (35%) sells equipment for joint reconstruction and managing circulatory diseases; Consumer (18%) makes over-the-counter products such as Johnson’s baby care items, Band-Aid bandages, Tylenol and Motrin painkillers, Listerine mouthwash and Neutrogena skin cream. In June 2016, Johnson & Johnson agreed to acquire beauty-products firm Vogue International for $3.3 billion; it represents the company’s biggest acquisition in four years. Vogue’s annual revenue—from hair and personal-care brands such as OGX, Proganix and Maui Moisture—is about $300 million. Instead of relying on traditional advertising, Vogue has successfully used colourful packaging to help its products stand out on store shelves and to drive sales. Its product line complements Johnson & Johnson’s personal-care brands such…