JNJB34 news sentiment

Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) Beats On Q2 As Investors Ask If The Bull Case Is Priced In

Track your investments for FREE with Simply Wall St, the portfolio command center trusted by over 7 million individual investors worldwide. Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) shook investors after reporting strong Q2 2026 revenue and earnings that beat expectations, while revealing slower U.S. procedure growth and rising competitive pressure from Johnson & Johnson and Chinese robotic surgery platforms. See our latest analysis for Intuitive Surgical. The Q2 surprise arrives after a tough stretch for Intuitive Surgical, with the share price down 28.6% year to date and the 1 year total shareholder return declining 16.1%. The recent 7 day share price return of 8.95% and 3 year total shareholder return of 30.9% suggest longer term holders have still seen gains even as short term momentum has been pressured by concerns about slower procedures and growing competition. If you are looking beyond Intuitive Surgical for other ideas in medical robotics and automation, it could be a useful moment to scan the market using the 39 robotics and automation stocks Bulls point to Intuitive Surgical's premium multiple, strong Q2 beat and large installed base. Bears focus on slowing U.S. procedures, pricing questions and new rivals. Which side does the current valuation evidence support? Most Popular Narrative: 36.4% Undervalued Based on the most followed narrative, Intuitive Surgical's fair value sits at $630.48 compared with the last close of $401.23. That gap is what powers the bullish story that many investors are watching closely. I have followed ISRG since 2003 when it was brought to the investing club I had just joined. I tried to analyze ISRG with the BetterInvesting SSG methodology that I had been introduced to and I could not get it in the buy zone. Wiser heads in the club prevailed and we started a position at around $48 a share and continued to add to the position. In 2005 ISRG was trading at over $200 a share and I was getting nervous. I convinced the club to place a trailing stop on ISRG. The price continued to increase and reached $393 a share. Then ISRG stock price started to drop it got as low as $200 a share. Our trailing stop worked like a charm we were sold out of the club position at just above $360 a share. I tried to convince the club to reinvest in ISRG at $200 a share; they decided not to, but I did. I describe it as riding the lightning. I have bought and sold ISRG at least twice since then and watched the share price increase to over $1000 a share twice before doing a 3 for 1 stock split, first in 2017 and then again in 2021. Did I mention no debt? Story Continues Read the complete narrative. Want to see what kind of revenue growth, profit margins and future earnings multiple sit behind that $630.48 fair value? The narrative pulls together long term profitability, high margins and a premium future P/E assumption into one cohesive pricing blueprint that is very different to the current $401.23 share price. Result: Fair Value of $630.48 (UNDERVALUED) Have a read of the narrative in full and understand what's behind the forecasts. However, Intuitive Surgical still faces real risks if U.S. procedure growth slows further or if rival robotic platforms lead hospitals to reassess their spending plans. Find out about the key risks to this Intuitive Surgical narrative. Another View on Intuitive Surgical's Valuation The community narrative points to a fair value of $630.48 for Intuitive Surgical, which implies the stock is 36.4% undervalued versus the current $401.23 price. However, the current P/E of 45.2x is well above the US Medical Equipment industry at 26.3x, the peer average at 28.8x and even the fair ratio of 35.1x. That kind of premium can signal quality, but it also raises the risk that any disappointment hits the share price harder than expected. To see how that rich P/E stacks up against the underlying numbers and where the market could move closer to the fair ratio, take a closer look at the valuation breakdown in the See what th

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) Advances Seltorexant And Expands Outpatient Cardiac Care

Get insights on thousands of stocks from the global community of over 7 million individual investors at Simply Wall St. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) is advancing its novel antidepressant Seltorexant into late stage clinical development for major depressive disorder as a potential rapid acting treatment option. The company also entered a multi year partnership with ACCESS to expand adoption of advanced cardiac electrophysiology technologies in ambulatory surgery centers. Both moves align with Johnson & Johnson's focus on higher growth therapeutic and medtech areas that are important for its long term outlook. For readers looking to broaden their watchlist across related healthcare themes, a logical next step is to review 43 healthcare AI stocks.NYSE:JNJ Earnings & Revenue Growth as at Aug 2026 Johnson & Johnson, a US based pharmaceuticals group with a market cap of about $630.9b, develops and sells a wide range of healthcare products worldwide, so progress in central nervous system drugs and cardiac technologies fits within its broader mix of prescription medicines and medical devices. 2 things going right for Johnson & Johnson that this headline doesn't cover. How this Seltorexant and ACCESS news moves the Johnson & Johnson story forward The core Johnson & Johnson narrative is that new medicines and MedTech platforms can keep the business growing even as older drugs lose exclusivity and legal and policy risks stay in the background. This latest depression and cardiac-care push sits directly in that "next-generation therapy and device" bucket. "Ongoing expansion within MedTech, highlighted by strong performance from acquired cardiovascular units Abiomed and Shockwave, as well as developments in robotic surgery, are expected to drive revenue growth and enhance adjusted income margins over time..." Read the full Johnson & Johnson narrative to see the case behind these numbers Seltorexant extends Johnson & Johnson's neuroscience effort beyond products acquired through deals such as Intra-Cellular Therapies, and it supports the thesis that next-generation drugs can offset loss of exclusivity in older products. The ACCESS cardiac electrophysiology partnership pushes MedTech further into procedure-heavy areas where peers like Medtronic and Abbott already compete strongly. Together, these moves speak to the same execution question that runs through the narrative. Can Johnson & Johnson turn heavy R&D and capital spending in areas like oncology, immunology, neuroscience and cardiovascular devices into enough high-margin products to outweigh tariff, litigation and orthopedics pressures flagged by analysts? Story Continues Ultimately, judging whether this kind of pipeline and MedTech news really matters means having a clear view of where Johnson & Johnson is heading overall. That is exactly what a well thought out Narrative is designed to capture. To ensure you're always in the loop on how the latest news impacts the investment narrative for Johnson & Johnson, head to the community page for Johnson & Johnson to never miss an update on the top community narratives. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include JNJ. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com View Comments

Intuitive Surgical: Oppenheimer now bullish, sees competition being "crowded out"

Investing.com -- Oppenheimer upgraded Intuitive Surgical to Outperform from Perform with a $500 price target in a note on Wednesday, arguing the company's strategy of "Crowding Out Competitors" is strategically smart. Analyst Suraj Kalia said the change reflects "a more nuanced risk-reward assessment at these levels." On the positive side, the firm views U.S. competition as a "non-factor," with field checks suggesting "some unique workflow challenges for Ottava that limit long-term appeal" and real-estate issues for Hugo. It added that Intuitive's customized price-volume contracts complicate competitor returns, while its per-click model "provides tremendous flexibility in lower-acuity ASC penetration." Oppenheimer's checks on Johnson & Johnson's Ottava platform flagged both strengths and drawbacks. Positives reportedly included a smaller footprint than Hugo and a console similar to daVinci with no learning curve. However, the firm said arm deployment "in a non-sterile environment 'after' anesthetized patient placed on table presents unique workflow challenges," alongside limited production capacity of 20 and 100 systems in 2026 and 2027. The firm was less optimistic about international competition, where about 34% of Intuitive's sales come from. It named homegrown Chinese platforms Medbot, Kangduo and Toumai as "the biggest threats from a pricing/market share perspective." Oppenheimer expects the aggregate robotic surgery market to grow to about 5.5 million procedures by 2030, and said Intuitive's "tactics of flooding the zone with operating leases and customized contracts" are financially punitive for U.S. rivals, though it noted the need to push daVinci into more price-sensitive, lower-acuity cases. Related articles Intuitive Surgical: Oppenheimer now bullish, sees competition being "crowded out" Citi pushes back Fed rate cuts to May after blowout January jobs report Nvidia's new Alpamayo project: What it means for Tesla? View Comments

Oppenheimer Sees $500 for Intuitive Surgical as Rivals Stall

Madrigal Appoints John C. Reed, M.D., Ph.D., to its Board of Directors

Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Aug. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: MDGL), a biopharmaceutical company focused on delivering novel therapeutics for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), today announced it has appointed John C. Reed, M.D., Ph.D., to its Board of Directors. Dr. Reed currently serves as Executive Vice President, Innovative Medicine, Research & Development at Johnson & Johnson ("J&J") and is a member of J&J's Executive Committee, where he leads research and development across oncology, immunology, neuroscience and other areas of significant unmet medical need. Julian Baker, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Madrigal, stated, "I am pleased to welcome John Reed to Madrigal. John is one of the biopharma industry's most accomplished physician-scientists and research leaders, with an extraordinary track record of advancing innovative medicines and building premier research organizations. His deep scientific expertise, strategic leadership and global experience developing breakthrough therapies will be invaluable as Madrigal continues to grow and expand its leadership in MASH." Bill Sibold, Chief Executive Officer of Madrigal, added, "John's appointment reflects Madrigal's continued commitment to scientific excellence and long-term innovation. As we build on the successful launch of Rezdiffra and advance our industry-leading MASH pipeline, John's insights across drug discovery, translational medicine and global R&D strategy will be an important asset to our Board and management team." Prior to joining Johnson & Johnson in April 2023, Dr. Reed held executive leadership positions at Sanofi and Roche, serving on their respective executive committees. Earlier in his career, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (now Sanford Burnham Prebys), where he established multiple disease-focused research centers and platform technology organizations. An internationally recognized leader in biomedical research, Dr. Reed has authored more than 900 scientific publications, holds more than 130 patents and has been consistently recognized among the world's most highly cited researchers in life sciences and medicine. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and has received numerous awards recognizing his contributions to biomedical research and innovation. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from the University of Virginia and both his M.D. and Ph.D. in Immunology from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Story Continues About Madrigal Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDGL) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on delivering novel therapeutics for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a liver disease with high unmet medical need. Madrigal's medication, Rezdiffra (resmetirom), is a once-daily, oral, liver-directed THR-β agonist designed to target key underlying causes of MASH. Rezdiffra was the first medication approved by both the FDA and European Commission for the treatment of MASH with moderate to advanced fibrosis (F2 to F3). An ongoing Phase 3 outcomes trial is evaluating Rezdiffra for the treatment of compensated MASH cirrhosis (F4c). For more information, visit www.madrigalpharma.com and follow us on LinkedIn. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes "forward-looking statements" made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including statements related to Madrigal's growth, Madrigal's leadership position in the MASH sector and Madrigal's ability to advance its pipeline. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to: the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements; Madrigal's ability to successfully commercialize Rezdiffra in the U.S. and Europe; risks related to obtai

How Much Did Immunology Drugs Contribute to AbbVie's Q2 Performance?

AbbVie ABBV announced encouraging second-quarter 2026 results last month, which beat expectations for both earnings and sales. A significant portion of this growth came from the continued strength of its two blockbuster immunology medications, Skyrizi and Rinvoq, which together accounted for more than 47% of total revenues. Skyrizi sales jumped 24% year over year on an operational basis to $5.5 billion, while Rinvoq sales rose 23.7% to more than $2.5 billion. Both drugs benefited from strong demand and market-share gains across their approved indications, especially in the popular inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) space, which includes two conditions — ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). The strength of the immunology franchise also supported AbbVie's updated 2026 outlook. The company raised its Skyrizi sales forecast by $100 million to approximately $21.7 billion, citing momentum across psoriasis and IBD. Management also highlighted continued strong momentum for Rinvoq, particularly in gastroenterology, where global sales are expected to grow 30% in 2026. Combined, Skyrizi and Rinvoq are expected to deliver more than 20% growth in 2026. Strong immunology market growth, market-share gains and momentum from new indications are expected to drive these drugs' growth. Rinvoq was approved for two new indications — vitiligo and alopecia areata - in the EU last month, while applications are under FDA review in the United States. AbbVie expects a U.S. decision on vitiligo later this year and on alopecia areata in early 2027. It expects the two dermatology indications to generate nearly $2 billion in combined peak sales. Meanwhile, AbbVie is awaiting a U.S. regulatory decision on a subcutaneous induction regimen for Skyrizi in CD, expected in the fall. If approved, the regimen is expected to improve convenience and increase Skyrizi's share of new patients in IBD, although the larger commercial impact is likely to emerge in early 2027 as insurance and reimbursement arrangements ramp up. The strong performance of Skyrizi and Rinvoq is helping AbbVie offset continued erosion in its legacy drug Humira, whose sales declined 36.1% year over year to $756 million due to biosimilar competition. With both continuing to deliver double-digit growth and additional indications providing further runway, immunology remains one of AbbVie's most important contributors to growth. ABBV's Competition in the Immunology Space The targeted market is highly competitive. A key player in this field is Johnson & Johnson JNJ, which markets two blockbuster drugs — Stelara and Tremfya. These medications are approved across multiple immunology indications, including UC and CD. Since Stelara lost U.S. patent exclusivity last year, J&J has shifted its focus to Tremfya. It recently secured approval for a new immunology drug, Icotyde, to treat moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. While still in the early stages of launch, the drug poses a competitive threat to Skyrizi. Story Continues Another pharma giant expanding its presence in immunology is Eli Lilly LLY, following the FDA approval of Omvoh for the UC indication in 2023. Omvoh marked Eli Lilly's first immunology drug approved for a type of IBD in the United States, playing a key role in expanding its portfolio in this therapeutic area. The Eli Lilly drug is approved for the CD indication. ABBV Stock Performance, Valuation & Estimates Shares of AbbVie have underperformed the industry year to date, as seen in the chart below.Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research From a valuation standpoint, AbbVie is trading at a discount to the industry. Based on the price/earnings (P/E) ratio, the company's shares currently trade at 16.12 times forward earnings, lower than its industry's average of 18.53.Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Movements in EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 have been mixed over the past 30 days.Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zac

J&J Trading Above 200- & 50-Day SMAs: Buy, Sell or Hold the Stock?

Johnson & Johnson JNJ stock has been trading above both its 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages (SMAs) since mid-June. Trading above the 200-day SMA indicates that the stock's longer-term trend has turned positive, while staying above the 50-day SMA suggests that shorter-term momentum remains supportive. When a stock trades above both averages, investors generally interpret it as evidence that buying interest is strong enough to keep the shares above their medium- and long-term trend levels.Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research This strong share price performance has been underpinned by multiple tailwinds, including steady growth in sales and earnings, consistent strength in its Innovative Medicine and overall improving fundamentals and outlook. Additionally, continued pipeline advancements, favorable regulatory developments and strategic M&A activity have strengthened investor sentiment. That said, the company is not without challenges, most notably, the impact of patent expirations on key products, which could weigh on future revenue streams. Against this backdrop, a closer look at the drivers and risks is essential to better assess J&J's overall investment case and determine how investors might approach the stock following its recent run-up. Innovative Medicine Powers J&J's Top-Line Growth J&J's Innovative Medicines segment is the company's primary growth engine. Innovative Medicine segment sales rose 6.2% on an organic basis in the first half of 2026, despite the loss of exclusivity (LOE) of the blockbuster drug, Stelara. Growth was driven by J&J's key drugs like Darzalex, Erleada and Tremfya. New drugs like Carvykti, Tecvayli, Talvey, Rybrevant and Spravato also contributed significantly to growth. The segment recorded five consecutive quarters of sales of more than $15 billion despite the LOE of Stelara. J&J expects its Innovative Medicine segment to remain a key growth driver in the second half of 2026. The growth is expected to be driven by its key products, such as Darzalex, Tremfya, Spravato, Carvykti and Erleada, as well as increased contribution from new launches like Icotyde, Rybrevant and Inlexzo, which can offset the ongoing impact of Stelara biosimilar competition. J&J expects continued above-market growth through the remainder of 2026. New Medicines Strengthen J&J's Growth Outlook J&J also rapidly advanced its pipeline in the past year, attaining significant clinical and regulatory milestones that will help drive growth through the back half of the decade. In the past year, it has gained approval for new products like Inlexzoh, a first-of-its-kind drug-releasing system for treating high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, Imaavy (nipocalimab) for treating generalized myasthenia gravis and Icotyde, an oral targeted peptide inhibitor of the IL-23 receptor for treating moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (PsO). J&J markets Icotyde in partnership with Protagonist Therapeutics PTGX. Story Continues J&J believes that nipocalimab has pipeline-in-a-product potential and Protagonist Therapeutics-partnered Icotyde has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of plaque psoriasis with a once-a-day pill. It has the potential to be J&J's largest product ever, with $10 billion in sales potential. On the second-quarter conference call, J&J said that it is seeing strong launches of all these new drugs, Inlexzo, Icotyde, as well as Imaavy. J&J's new cancer drugs, Carvykti, Tecvayli, Talvey and Rybrevant/Lazcluze are contributing significantly to top-line growth, driven by market share gains. Combined, they generated $2.6 billion in sales in the first half of 2026. J&J believes 10 of its new products in the Innovative Medicine segment have the potential to deliver peak sales of $5 billion, including Talvey, Tecvayli, Imaavy, Caplyta, Inlexzo, Rybrevant plus Lazcluze and Icotyde. J&J's MedTech Business Hits a Soft Patch in Q2 J&J's MedTech business is performing well, but its growth has

What Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)'s OTTAVA FDA Win and Talc Deal Shift Mean For Shareholders

In recent months, Johnson & Johnson reported strong Q2 2026 results, received FDA De Novo authorization for its OTTAVA soft-tissue robotic surgery system, advanced its RYBREVANT FASPRO oncology franchise with an FDA Priority Review, announced a US$5.50 billion talc settlement framework, and agreed to collaborate with Sail Biomedicines on in vivo CAR-T therapies. Together with leadership changes in its Innovative Medicine unit and new MedTech and electrophysiology partnerships, these developments highlight Johnson & Johnson's effort to reposition around higher-growth innovative medicines and medical technologies while addressing legacy legal exposures. Next, we will examine how FDA authorization of OTTAVA and other recent moves may influence Johnson & Johnson's investment narrative. The best AI stocks today may lie beyond giants like Nvidia and Microsoft. Find the next big opportunity with these 17 smaller AI-focused companies with strong growth potential through early-stage innovation in machine learning, automation, and data intelligence that could fund your retirement. Johnson & Johnson Investment Narrative Recap To own Johnson & Johnson, you need to believe its pivot toward innovative medicines and MedTech can offset patent, tariff and litigation pressures, while maintaining disciplined capital allocation. The key near term catalyst remains execution in oncology and MedTech, where OTTAVA's launch and RYBREVANT FASPRO's expansion are in focus. The largest overhang has been talc litigation; the proposed US$5.50 billion settlement framework is meaningful because it may reduce uncertainty around future cash demands. Among the recent developments, FDA De Novo authorization for the OTTAVA robotic surgery system looks most relevant. It puts Johnson & Johnson directly into soft tissue robotics, aligning with its broader MedTech push alongside electrophysiology partnerships. While OTTAVA is still early, its progress, together with oncology assets like RYBREVANT FASPRO under Priority Review, forms a practical test of whether J&J's innovation agenda can support revenue and earnings as older products face biosimilars. Yet amid these advances, investors should also be aware of how talc liabilities, even with a proposed settlement framework, could still influence... Read the full narrative on Johnson & Johnson (it's free!) Johnson & Johnson's narrative projects $120.5 billion revenue and $28.6 billion earnings by 2029. This requires 7.2% yearly revenue growth and a $7.6 billion earnings increase from $21.0 billion today. Story Continues Uncover how Johnson & Johnson's forecasts yield a $270.59 fair value, a 3% upside to its current price. Exploring Other PerspectivesJNJ 1-Year Stock Price Chart Some of the lowest ranked analysts were already cautious, assuming revenue of about US$114.4 billion and earnings of roughly US$22.6 billion by 2029, and they worry that if robotics like OTTAVA scale more slowly, MedTech margins could lag, which is a much more pessimistic take than the consensus and could change again as the latest news is digested. Explore 7 other fair value estimates on Johnson & Johnson - why the stock might be worth as much as 39% more than the current price! Reach Your Own Conclusion Disagree with existing narratives? Extraordinary investment returns rarely come from following the herd, so go with your instincts. A great starting point for your Johnson & Johnson research is our analysis highlighting 2 key rewards and 1 important warning sign that could impact your investment decision. Our free Johnson & Johnson research report provides a comprehensive fundamental analysis summarized in a single visual - the Snowflake - making it easy to evaluate Johnson & Johnson's overall financial health at a glance. No Opportunity In Johnson & Johnson? The market won't wait. These fast-moving stocks are hot now. Grab the list before they run: Rare earth metals are the new gold rush. Find out which 28 stocks are leading the charge. Invest i

Johnson & Johnson vs. Medtronic: Which Healthcare Stock Is Better Positioned After Earnings?

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) delivered another strong quarter in fiscal Q2 2026, with reported sales increasing 6.6% year over year to $25.31 billion and surpassing analysts' average estimate of around $25.05 billion. Adjusted earnings per share reached $2.90, also exceeding estimates of $2.85. The healthcare giant raised its full-year outlook and said it remains on track to generate more than $100 billion in annual revenue for the first time in its 140-year history. Medtronic (NYSE:MDT), meanwhile, ended fiscal 2026 with its fastest annual revenue growth in a decade. Several newer products are gaining traction, particularly within cardiovascular care, strengthening the case that the company's long-running turnaround is beginning to produce more visible results. The key distinction for investors is that Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) offers more diversified and proven growth, while Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) presents a potentially higher-upside turnaround that still carries meaningful execution and margin risk. Let's look deeper into that.15 Healthiest Countries In Africa Bull Case Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE:JNJ) Johnson & Johnson's Innovative Medicine segment was the principal driver of its strong quarter. Segment sales increased 7.8% year over year to $16.38 billion, supported by growth across oncology, immunology and neuroscience. Following the quarter, Johnson & Johnson raised its full-year reported sales guidance to a midpoint of $101.1 billion, compared with $100.8 billion previously. It also increased the midpoint of its adjusted earnings-per-share forecast by $0.13 to $11.68. Perhaps the strongest argument supporting Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is its ability to absorb the rapid decline of Stelara without derailing overall pharmaceutical growth. Stelara, which treats several autoimmune conditions, has come under significant pressure following the loss of exclusivity. Nevertheless, Innovative Medicine still recorded operational sales growth of 6.8%, as newer products in oncology, immunology and neuroscience offset much of the decline. Tremfya, its psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease drug, has become an especially important part of that transition. Sales of the immunology drug increased 72.5% to approximately $2 billion during the quarter. Strong performance from newer drugs such as Tremfya suggests that the company has developed several growing products capable of supporting the next phase of its pharmaceutical portfolio. That diversification reduces the risk associated with any one patent expiration. It also strengthens the case that Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE:JNJ) pipeline and commercial execution can sustain Innovative Medicine growth as older products mature. Story Continues Medtronic's (NYSE:MDT) bull case, on the other hand, is based more heavily on improving execution and accelerating product momentum. It reported its highest annual revenue growth in 10 years in its fiscal Q4 and full-year 2026 results, with Q4 revenue reaching $9.8 billion, up 9.9% as reported and 6.6% organic, and FY 26 revenue was $36.4 billion, adjusted revenue of $36.3 billion, up 8.4% as reported and 5.8% organic. The results suggest that Medtronic's (NYSE:MDT) turnaround is beginning to extend beyond cost controls and internal restructuring. Growth is increasingly being supported by commercially successful products, and momentum in platforms including Affera, Symplicity, Hugo, Altaviva and Stealth AXiS could help the company sustain faster organic growth if adoption continues. Furthermore, Medtronic's (NYSE:MDT) cardiac segment is emerging as one of the most prominent growth drivers for the company, as the Cardiac Ablation Solutions revenue rose 78% globally, including 124% U.S. growth. Several of the company's newer product launches are beginning to contribute meaningfully to growth, helping strengthen its competitive position in several high-growth markets. This performance is particularly significant because cardiac ablation represents a la

Johnson & Johnson vs Abbott Laboratories: Which Healthcare Giant Offers the More Compelling Growth Story After Earnings?

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) delivered strong fiscal Q2 2026 results, with sales for the quarter growing nearly 7% to $25.31 ⁠billion, above analysts' average estimate of about $25.05 billion. Adjusted earnings per share reached $2.90, surpassing the expectation of $2.85. The company also raised its guidance and stated that it is on track to meet its 2026 goal of over $100 billion in annual revenue for the first time in its 140-year history. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) also beat its quarterly estimates in its fiscal Q2 2026 results while also raising its annual profit forecast, with strong demand for its cancer diagnostics business and medical devices easing procedure-volume concerns. Sales for the quarter rose 13% on a reported basis and 4.8% on a comparable basis. So which healthcare giant offers the more compelling investment case for investors? Let's dive into it.Citi Believes Abbott (ABT) Shares are Undervalued Relative to Business Segments An operating room with a doctor monitoring a patient's vital signs during surgery with a medical device. Both healthcare giants beat quarterly estimates and raised their outlooks, suggesting continued resilience across their businesses. The key question for investors is whether Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE:JNJ) pharmaceutical growth story or Abbott Laboratories' (NYSE:ABT) expanding diagnostics and medical devices businesses offer the more compelling investment case going forward. Bull Case Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE:JNJ) pharmaceutical unit was an optimistic factor, as it helped increase total sales, generating $16.38 billion in quarterly sales and exceeding analysts' estimate of $16.1 billion. The healthcare giant now expects its annual sales to be around $101.1 billion at the midpoint, ​compared with $100.8 billion ⁠previously. In another optimistic feat, it raised its adjusted earnings per share forecast to $11.68 at the midpoint, from a previous $11.55 per share. Revenue from Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE:JNJ) Stelara, which treats psoriasis, Crohn's disease, and ​other autoimmune conditions, dropped over 55% in the quarter to $740 million due to patent loss. However, the company's cancer and newer immunology drugs can be seen countering this loss, as sales of Tremfya, its psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease drug, rose 72.5% to $2 billion, considerably exceeding the estimate of $1.74 billion. The most encouraging sign for investors thus may be Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE:JNJ) ability to absorb a significant patent-related decline in Stelara sales while still raising its full-year outlook. Strong performance from newer drugs such as Tremfya suggests the company's pipeline is successfully offsetting losses from older products. Story Continues On the other hand, Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) reported GAAP diluted EPS of $0.53 and adjusted diluted EPS of $1.31, which excludes specified items, and reaffirmed its full-year 2026 comparable sales growth guidance of 6.5% to 7.5%, suggesting confidence in its operations. The company also raised its full-year 2026 adjusted diluted EPS guidance range to $5.45 to $5.60, compared to the previous range of $5.38 to $5.58. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) diagnostics segment rose 42% to $3.09 billion in fiscal Q2, surpassing the estimate ​of $3.02 billion, emerging as one of the company's strongest performers during the quarter. This was driven by strong adoption in electrophysiology, diabetes care (such as CGM systems), and expanding cancer screening diagnostics. William Blair stated that the company's cancer diagnostics results should improve sentiment around the Exact Sciences ​acquisition, with growth in medical devices helping offset concerns surrounding hospital procedure volumes. Bear Case Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE:JNJ) MedTech segment was comparatively less impressive during the quarter, with sales slightly missing expectations. Management attributed some of the weakness to temporary headwinds, including inventory-related pressures in China t

Jim Cramer Highlights Pharmaceutical Giants as Non-Tech Innovation Plays Like JNJ and LLY

During the August 6 episode of CNBC's Mad Money, Jim Cramer pointed to a growing sector rotation as portfolio managers look for innovation outside the mega-cap technology space. He said: Finally, tech had such a run that portfolio managers want exposure to other sectors of the market that still have innovation. Think of them as non- tech tech stocks. For the… Charitable Trust club, we've been emphasizing Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson. And we talked about these… I talked about them at length with Jeff Marks today at our 10:20 call. They both had terrific quarters and deserve to be bought on any weakness. Cramer's thesis highlights how mega-cap healthcare operators provide defensive shelter with strong dividend profiles and maintain high-growth product pipelines. Cramer further emphasized that innovation in biotechnology is driving tangible financial gains. He said: Amgen just racked up an excellent quarter. And credit where credit's due, time to accept that Moderna has begun to realize its stream of specialized vaccines for specific illnesses. Just last night, the company, it received FDA approval for its mRNA flu vaccine. Well, there's a reason why the stock's up 83% for the year.Jim Cramer Highlights Pharmaceutical Giants as Non-Tech Innovation Plays Like JNJ and LLY Bristol-Myers Squibb Generates Trim Call Following Merger Rumors Later in the August 6 episode, a caller asked Cramer about Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) after holding the stock through recent buyout speculation. In response, Cramer remarked: I actually, given how much that even an aggressive acquirer like AstraZeneca was willing to pay, it's probably worth it to trim. I just don't see as much upside. Look, it's not an expensive stock. It has a 3.9% yield, but there are others that are better, including J&J, which I like much more. A recent Financial Times report indicates that AstraZeneca held preliminary discussions regarding a potential purchase of US-based Bristol Myers Squibb. However, some believe that this is unlikely to happen and do not view it in a positive light. RBC analyst Trung Huynh noted that agreeing on valuation will be difficult given AstraZeneca's strong standalone growth target and BMY's patent cliff headwinds. Moreover, the firm believes that it needs to see more developments "before deeming a deal likely." Additionally, TD Cowen analyst Steve Scala showed a negative sentiment toward the deal, warning that BMY's severe patent risks would dilute AstraZeneca's long-term sales growth. The analyst noted that he sees short-term tailwinds due to synergies but showed less confidence for the longer-term. Story Continues Smart Money Positioning and Valuation Multiples Across Major Pharma Plays According to Insider Monkey's database, Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) hold the largest hedge fund backing among the group. Eli Lilly led during the first quarter of 2026 with 132 hedge fund positions, compared to 137 in the fourth quarter of 2025. Johnson & Johnson saw its hedge fund interest increase to 113 hedge funds in Q1 2026, up from 104 in the prior quarter. Meanwhile, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) tracked 83 hedge fund holders, rising from 82, while Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) recorded 65 hedge fund positions in Q1 2026, down from 70 in Q4 2025. Forward earnings ratios across the group show a wide split between premium growth plays and deeply discounted value names. Eli Lilly has the highest multiple in the group, trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of around 32.7x due to its market-leading GLP-1 franchise. Johnson & Johnson trades at 22.27x forward earnings, as it offers steady stability and balance sheet security. Amgen sits at 18.35x forward earnings, giving value-oriented investors a lower entry point into large-cap biotech execution. Bristol Myers Squibb remains the primary value play at a low forward P/E of 9.38x. However, limited growth catalysts support Cramer's recommendation to tr

ISRG Trades at a Premium P/E: Buy, Sell or Hold the Stock Now?

Intuitive Surgical ISRG currently trades at a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 33.02X, above the Medical - Instruments industry's 26.53X, underscoring a valuation premium that investors must weigh against the company's growth prospects. The stock carries a Value Score of D, suggesting that shares are not particularly inexpensive despite the compression in its valuation multiple. Second-quarter 2026 results nevertheless provided a solid operating baseline. Revenues increased 19% year over year to $2.89 billion, while adjusted earnings per share (EPS) rose 28% to $2.80. Total procedures increased 16%, including 15% growth in da Vinci procedures and 36% growth in Ion procedures. Recurring revenues also climbed 19% to $2.47 billion, representing 85% of total revenues. Utilization remained healthy, with da Vinci system utilization increasing 3% and Ion utilization rising 11%. The second-quarter performance remained strong, although revenue growth moderated from 23% in the first quarter. U.S. da Vinci procedure growth slowed to 12% from 14% in the first quarter, reflecting some moderation in deferrable procedures. However, the company continued to deliver strong international growth and higher utilization from its expanding da Vinci 5 installed base. With the premium multiple sitting well above the broader industry, the real test for investors is whether management's forward guidance justifies paying up today. ISRG's Premium Valuation Raises ConcernZacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Forward Guidance Signals Sustained Growth Potential Management's updated outlook remains constructive for investors weighing the premium multiple. Intuitive Surgical maintained its 2026 da Vinci procedure-growth forecast at 13.5-15.5%, with growth expected to be closer to the midpoint. General surgery in the United States and procedures outside urology internationally are expected to remain the primary drivers. The outlook incorporates risks from U.S. patient behavior, obesity drugs, China tender volumes and competition, European capital pressures and Japan's recovery. Importantly, the company raised its 2026 adjusted gross-margin outlook to 68-69% from 67.5-68.5%. This suggests that product cost reductions and operating leverage are increasingly offsetting higher freight and semiconductor-memory costs, as well as the favorable margin impact of faster growth in newer platforms. Operating expenses are now expected to grow 11-13%, with R&D continuing to expand faster than SG&A as Intuitive Surgical prioritizes innovation. Story Continues The guidance therefore points to sustained growth rather than a material deterioration in fundamentals, although the slower U.S. procedure trajectory remains a factor investors should monitor. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings is pegged at $10.74 per share, implying solid 20.3% year-over-year growth. Intuitive Surgical currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), reflecting a neutral stance. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Intuitive Surgical, Inc. Price and ConsensusIntuitive Surgical, Inc. Price and Consensus Intuitive Surgical, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Intuitive Surgical, Inc. Quote Recent Product and Pipeline Developments Intuitive Surgical's product ecosystem continues to provide multiple avenues for future growth. The company placed 468 da Vinci systems in the second quarter, up 18% year over year, with 246 being da Vinci 5 systems. Its da Vinci 5 installed base exceeded 1,700 systems and has been used by more than 15,000 surgeons. Meanwhile, SP procedures surged 61%, supported by expanded indications, new instruments and broader geographic adoption. Ion remains an important growth platform, with procedures rising 36% to 48,000. The company is advancing its ROSE and EBUS programs, while a next-generation flexible robotic endoscope for gastrointestinal applications has been submitted for FDA 510(k) clearance. Intuitive Surgical i

Can Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) Challenge Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) After Ottava’s FDA Approval?

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) has officially entered the U.S. soft-tissue robotic surgery market after receiving FDA De Novo authorization for its OTTAVA robotic surgical system. The authorization represents an important milestone for J&J's MedTech ambitions, but the company is entering a market in which Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ:ISRG) already has an extensive installed base, established surgeon relationships, and a rapidly expanding da Vinci 5 platform. The question for investors is not whether OTTAVA can become a viable product, but whether Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) can convert its differentiated design and broader surgical portfolio into meaningful market share, and even challenge Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) in the process.Is Microbot Medical Inc. (MBOT) the Best Rising Penny Stock to Buy According to Analysts? Bull Case for Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) OTTAVA's most compelling feature is its table-integrated architecture. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) stated that the robotic arms are incorporated directly into the operating table, which allows the system to occupy 30% to 50% less space than traditional boom- and cart-mounted systems. The company believes this design could make robotic surgery accessible to operating rooms that previously could not accommodate a larger platform. That gives Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) a potentially differentiated selling point among hospitals focused on operating-room capacity and workflow efficiency. The FDA authorized OTTAVA for multiple upper-abdominal general surgery procedures, including gastric bypass, gastrectomy, cholecystectomy, gastric sleeve surgery, appendectomy, and hiatal hernia repair. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) will commercially launch the OTTAVA system with select customers in the United States to focus on early customer success and simultaneously advance the technology into additional regulatory jurisdictions and indications gradually. In addition, it has an ongoing U.S. clinical trial for OTTAVA in inguinal hernia procedures. The selective launch is strategically sensible because robotic surgery systems require several factors for their smooth functioning in addition to regulatory authorization, including training for surgeons and operating-room staff, integration of the system into existing workflows, and establishing procedure volumes sufficient to justify the investment. With such a measured rollout, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) has time to collect real-world feedback, improve training, and refine the platform before attempting a broader commercial expansion. J&J also brings advantages that smaller robotic-surgery challengers may lack. Its surgical portfolio already includes wound-closure products, stapling systems, instruments, and other operating-room technologies. That existing presence could provide commercial access to hospitals and surgeons as the company introduces OTTAVA. However, the degree to which J&J can translate those relationships into robotic-system placements remains unproven. Story Continues The authorization also adds a new growth opportunity to Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE:JNJ) MedTech business. The segment generated $8.93 billion in second-quarter 2026 sales, up 4.5% on a reported basis and 3.6% on an adjusted operational basis. While OTTAVA is unlikely to materially affect Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE:JNJ) near-term financial results during a limited rollout, successful adoption could eventually strengthen the company's position in higher-growth surgical technology. Why Intuitive Surgical Remains Difficult to Displace Although OTTAVA gives Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) a credible platform, Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ:ISRG) enters the competitive battle from a position of considerable strength. Intuitive had an installed base of 11,710 da Vinci systems at the end of the second quarter of 2026, up 12% from the previous year. The company placed 468 da Vinci systems during the quarter, including 246 da Vinci 5 systems, compared with 395 total systems and 180 da

ACCESS Announces Multi-Year Strategic Agreement to Bring Advanced Cardiac Electrophysiology Technologies to Ambulatory Surgery Centers

Agreement supports ACCESS-affiliated ASCs in adopting the CARTO™ System and its integrated portfolio of mapping, intracardiac imaging, radiofrequency ablation and pulsed field ablation technologies NEW YORK, August 10, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ACCESS, through its physician-led group purchasing organization, ACCESS GPO, today announced a multi-year preferred portfolio agreement with Johnson & Johnson to support the adoption of advanced cardiac electrophysiology technologies in ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) across the United States. The agreement encompasses an integrated portfolio of three-dimensional mapping, intracardiac imaging, radiofrequency ablation and pulsed field ablation technologies. The collaboration is designed to help ASCs expand access to state-of-the-art therapies for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias while supporting the continued evolution of cardiac electrophysiology care in the outpatient setting. As the demand for catheter ablation continues to grow nationwide, ASCs are expected to play an increasingly important role in expanding procedural capacity, improving patient access, and delivering high-quality care in a cost-effective environment. The agreement broadens the technology options available to ACCESS-affiliated centers and supports the continued development of high-quality electrophysiology programs in appropriately equipped outpatient settings. "Cardiac electrophysiology is undergoing a period of remarkable innovation, and it is important that patients treated in ambulatory surgery centers have access to the same advanced technologies available in traditional hospital settings," said Vivek Reddy, MD, Director of Cardiac Arrhythmia Services at The Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital and the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. "This collaboration helps ensure that physicians performing ablations in ASCs can continue to offer cutting-edge therapies while maintaining the flexibility, efficiency, and patient-centered focus that have made the ASC model so successful." "By creating greater access to these technologies within physician-led ambulatory surgery centers, we can help expand treatment options for patients while supporting the continued growth of high-quality cardiac electrophysiology programs in the outpatient setting," said Arash Aryana, MD, PhD, Medical Director of Cardiovascular Services at Mercy Medical Group of Sacramento, California. "The movement of appropriately selected electrophysiology procedures into ambulatory surgery centers represents one of the most important developments in cardiovascular care today," said Vijay Swarup, MD, Executive Director of Arizona Heart Rhythm Center in Phoenix. "This agreement gives ACCESS-affiliated centers a more efficient pathway to evaluate, acquire and implement advanced technologies while developing the clinical and operational infrastructure required to build sustainable, high-quality outpatient electrophysiology programs." Story Continues ACCESS Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) was established to specifically support physician-led ASCs by improving access to advanced technologies, strengthening procedural economics, and fostering collaboration among leading cardiac electrophysiology programs nationwide. Through strategic partnerships with industry leaders, the organization seeks to accelerate the responsible growth of cardiovascular and electrophysiology services in ASCs while maintaining physician leadership, clinical excellence, and patient-centered care. About ACCESS ACCESS is a physician-led Management Services Organization focused on supporting ambulatory surgery centers, with particular expertise in cardiovascular and cardiac electrophysiology programs. Through ACCESS GPO and strategic relationships with leading medical technology companies, the organization helps member centers improve purchasing efficiency, evaluate and implement advanced technologies, and obtain the clinical, operational, and strategic resources needed to develo

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) Reaches $5.5 Billion Talc Settlement To Close Years Of Lawsuits

Find winning stocks in any market cycle. Join 7 million investors using Simply Wall St's investing ideas for FREE. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) agreed to a US$5.5b settlement to resolve tens of thousands of talc baby powder lawsuits. The deal ends decades of litigation over alleged health risks tied to the company's talc-based products. The settlement follows years of high profile trials and failed bankruptcy attempts related to the talc claims. This resolution removes a long running legal overhang and brings more clarity for Johnson & Johnson investors. Consider broadening your research to other large consumer health and personal care stocks alongside 20 top founder-led companiesNYSE:JNJ 1-Year Stock Price Chart Johnson & Johnson sits at the intersection of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer health, so legal clarity around older talc products lands on a diversified business. The stock trades at US$256.98, and investors watching it may weigh this legal resolution alongside its broader mix of prescription drugs, surgical products, and over the counter consumer brands. Is Johnson & Johnson's balance sheet strong enough for future acquisitions? Dive into our detailed financial health analysis. Legal clarity on talc helps tidy up the Johnson & Johnson story The US$5.5b talc settlement helps Johnson & Johnson draw a line under a long running legal issue and gives investors better visibility on future cash demands tied to these claims. It narrows a key uncertainty that has sat alongside the company's drug pipeline, MedTech expansion and recent leadership transition in Innovative Medicine. Investors can now weigh the talc related outflows against Johnson & Johnson's broader capital needs for R&D, acquisitions such as Sail Biomedicines and product launches like OTTAVA, rather than keeping a wide range of legal outcomes in their models. For this news to really matter from here, investors will want to see how the settlement is scheduled through the cash flow statement and whether participation thresholds are met without fresh legal disputes. Watch for formal disclosures on payment timing, any commentary on funding choices at upcoming results and whether rating agencies or management adjust leverage or capital return plans once the talc grid is in place. For the full picture including more risks and rewards, check out the complete Johnson & Johnson analysis. Alternatively, you can check out the community page for Johnson & Johnson to see how other investors believe this latest news will impact the company's narrative. Story Continues Stay updated on the most important news stories for Johnson & Johnson by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on Johnson & Johnson. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include JNJ. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com View Comments