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JOHNSON & JOHNSON (JNJ)·Q1 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q1 2025 was solid on the top and bottom line versus Street: revenue $21.89B beat S&P Global consensus $21.56B* and adjusted EPS $2.77 beat $2.58*, despite an ~810 bps Innovative Medicine headwind from STELARA loss of exclusivity and Part D redesign .
- Mix/tariffs/FX weighed on margins: gross margin fell to 66.4% (vs. 69.6% YoY; 68.4% in Q4), largely from STELARA erosion, transactional FX, and Shockwave step-up; management guided 2025 operating margin +300 bps YoY even including ~$400M tariff headwind .
- Guidance: Operational sales raised on CAPLYTA and FX ($92.0B midpoint vs. $91.3B prior), reported sales midpoint to $91.4B; adjusted reported EPS maintained at $10.50–$10.70 (mid $10.60), while adjusted operational EPS range moved down to $10.50–$10.70 from $10.75–$10.95 (dilution/tariffs) .
- Pipeline and portfolio execution were key positives (DARZALEX >$3B for third straight quarter; TREMFYA IBD momentum; RYBREVANT/LAZCLUZE OS data; OTTAVA trial start). Dividend raised 4.8% to $1.30 quarterly (63rd consecutive increase), a steady support for shareholder return .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Robust growth engines offsetting STELARA LOE: Innovative Medicine grew 4.2% operationally with 11 key brands up double digits; DARZALEX >20% YoY; CARVYKTI $369M; TREMFYA +20% operational including IBD launches .
- “We delivered 4.2% operational sales growth despite an approximate 810 basis points headwind from STELARA with 11 key brands growing double digits.” — CEO Joaquin Duato .
- MedTech cardiovascular strength and pipeline execution: Abiomed +14%, Shockwave contribution $258M, OTTAVA clinical trial initiation; EP body-pulse U.S. cases resumed with >5,500 completed globally to date .
- Balance sheet and capital returns: Free cash flow ≈$3.4B; dividend lifted 4.8% to $1.30/quarter; cash $38.8B vs. debt $52.3B (net debt $13.5B; pro forma ~$27.5B after Intra-Cellular close) .
What Went Wrong
- Margin compression vs. expectations: Gross margin down ~320 bps YoY in Q1; CFO cited mix (STELARA), transactional FX, and Shockwave step-up; analysts were “maybe a little bit optimistic” on gross profit expectations .
- Orthopedics softness: Orthopedics declined ~3.1% (one-timers hit ~480 bps), with competitive pressure in Spine/Sports; recovery expected as portfolio launches ramp through 2H25 .
- Tariff overhang: 2025 guidance embeds ~$400M tariff impact (primarily China retaliatory tariff on U.S.-origin products shipped into China); mitigation options limited given pricing constraints .
Financial Results
Consolidated P&L Snapshot
Notes: Adjusted EPS excludes intangible amortization and special items per company definition .
Segment Breakdown (Reported)
KPIs and Balance Sheet
Guidance Changes
Management also quantified ~$400M tariff impact embedded in 2025 and maintained +300 bps operating margin improvement guidance vs. 2024 despite dilution from Intra-Cellular Therapies .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We delivered 4.2% operational sales growth despite an approximate 810 basis points headwind from STELARA with 11 key brands growing double digits.” — Joaquin Duato, CEO .
- “We are maintaining our adjusted reported earnings per share guidance…$10.50 to $10.70, partially aided by the reduced FX impact,” despite $0.25 dilution from Intra-Cellular and tariffs .
- “Cost of products sold deleveraged by 320 basis points, driven by unfavorable transactional currency and product mix…as well as the fair value step-up…from the Shockwave acquisition.” — Jessica Moore, IR (moving to IM CFO) .
- “The program [MedTech Surgery restructuring] is expected to be completed in 2027…~$900 million cost…improve our ability to accelerate growth and enhance profitability.” — CFO Joseph Wolk (also ).
- “We recently…started OTTAVA clinical trials…an important milestone as we continue to strengthen our presence in robotic surgery.” — CEO .
Q&A Highlights
- Tariffs: ~$400M 2025 impact (largest from China retaliatory tariffs on U.S.-origin products shipped to China); inventory accounting will phase P&L impact; limited pricing levers .
- Gross margins: Down ~300+ bps YoY on STELARA mix, transactional FX, Shockwave step-up; management expects improvement of one-third to one-half of this delta going forward (inclusive of tariffs) .
- STELARA erosion: Tracking to HUMIRA-like 2-year curve with added Part D impact; ex-STELARA, ~90% of IM business growing >12% .
- Orthopedics: Underlying performance slightly below market; one-timers hit ~480 bps; confidence in 2H ramp with new products (VELYS, TriAlta Spine, etc.) .
- Macro: Health care demand resilient; elective procedures may delay but not abandon in recession scenarios .
Estimates Context
Actuals vs S&P Global consensus (beats in bold):
Values with asterisks retrieved from S&P Global.
Where estimates may adjust: Continued TREMFYA IBD ramp, DARZALEX durability, and Shockwave normalization past the May anniversary could support modest revenue/EPS upward revisions, offset by Orthopedics competitive dynamics and tariff flow-through .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- The transitions are working: double-digit growth drivers (DARZALEX, CARVYKTI, TREMFYA, RYBREVANT/LAZCLUZE) are offsetting STELARA LOE and Part D headwinds faster than modeled, evidenced by broad-based beats .
- 2025 outlook quality improved on sales (CAPLYTA, FX) while EPS is defended despite new costs (tariffs, ITCI dilution) — a constructive setup if Orthopedics stabilizes and tariffs don’t escalate .
- Margin trajectory likely improves into 2H as mix normalizes (less STELARA), acquisition step-ups lap, and cost programs progress; monitor quarterly gross margin prints against CFO’s improvement cadence .
- MedTech remains a portfolio of haves/have-nots: Cardiovascular and Vision robust; Orthopedics under pressure near term but with catalysts (TriAlta Spine, VELYS, anterior hips) .
- Pipeline/Regulatory momentum is an underappreciated catalyst (OTTAVA clinical start; TREMFYA IBD expansion; RYBREVANT/LAZCLUZE OS data; icotrokinra filing plans) supporting mid-term growth visibility .
- Capital returns remain reliable (63rd dividend increase) with balance sheet flexibility even post-ITCI; pro forma net leverage remains manageable .
- Near-term trading: Favorable beat/maintained EPS guide plus dividend raise and pipeline news flow are supportive; watch tariff headlines, Orthopedics share trends, and quarterly gross margin progression for any de-risking or re-rating catalysts .
Appendix: Additional Details from the Q1 2025 Press Release
- Q1 regional sales: U.S. $12.305B (+5.9%); International $9.588B (−1.8% reported; +2.1% operational) .
- Segment operational growth: Innovative Medicine +4.2%, MedTech +4.1%; adjusted operational growth ex-A&D: IM +4.4%, MedTech +1.3% .
- Notable Q1 announcements: TREMFYA Crohn’s approval; subcutaneous RYBREVANT EU approval; OTTAVA first cases completed (MedTech) .
Non-GAAP definitions and reconciliations referenced per exhibits .