Dive Brief:
- Even with the negative currency impact in 2014, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) had a solid year, with a 7.7% and 8.2% increase, respectively, in worldwide sales and net earnings. Overall revenues for 2014 were $74.3 billion, net income was $16.3 billion, and diluted earnings were $5.70 per share.
- J&J also had a strong fourth quarter in 2014, with $18.3 billion in sales, $2.5 billion in net income and 89 cents/share in diluted earnings.
- During the fourth quarter, the negative currency impact was 7.9%.
Dive Insight:
J&J turned in solid performance across the board, including domestic and international sales, as well as consumer sales and prescription pharmaceutical and medical device sales. Sales of Tylenol, Motrin, and OTC Zyrtec contributed to strong operational results in the OTC arena.
With respect to prescription pharma, sales of Olysio (simeprevir) for use as part of combination treatment in hepatitis C; Xarelto (rivoroxaban) for anticoagulation; Zytiga (abiraterone) used in combination with prednisone in treatment of prostate cancer; and Imbruvica (ibrutinib) for treatment of blood cancer, were major drivers.