An Earnings Beat by J&J Meets Tempered 2014 Guidance

The company’s adjusted earnings rose by 4.2% to $1.24 per share, and sales grew 4.5% to $18.4 billion. Thomson Reuters had estimates of $1.20 per share and $17.95 billion in revenue.

Johnson & Johnson attributed the growth and solid against expectations based on strength in the Pharmaceutical business, key over-the-counter brands and a continued progress in integrating Synthes into its Medical Devices and Diagnostics business.

We now also have longer-term expectations as well. Johnson & Johnson sees earnings guidance for full-year 2014 to come in between $5.75 and $5.85 per share, excluding special items. Thomson Reuters has estimates of $5.85 per share, so Wall Street was already anticipating much of the good news. This would represent close to 5% earnings per share growth in 2014.

J&J shares are indicated up 0.6% in early trading around $95.70, just shy of the prior high of $95.99. Analysts have a consensus price target of almost $99.40.