J&J Sees Slowing 2019 Growth in a Warning to Health Sector (1)

Johnson & Johnson, the world’s largest maker of health-care products, predicted slower sales growth in 2019 despite beating analysts’ expectations to close last year. The company is the first major medical manufacturer to report earnings for the fourth quarter.

Fourth-quarter sales were $20.4 billion, and adjusted earnings per share were $1.97, J&J said in a statement Jan. 22. That topped the $20.2 billion in sales and $1.95 a share of earnings analysts had predicted.

Key Insights

• Sales will grow slowly this year, J&J said, without detailing why. Overall revenue for the company’s drug, medical device and consumer operations will rise ...