Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

() experienced a significant increase in the short interest rate in April. On April 15th there were 14,070,000 short shares. This is an increase of 11,0% from March 31st's total of 12,670,000. The days-to-cover is 1.6 days based on an average trading volume 8,550,000 shares. Short selling is currently 0.5% of company stock.

Analysts set new price targets

Several research firms have recently published reports on JNJ. Raymond James cut its price target for Johnson & Johnson, from $185.00 down to $181.00. The company was given an 'outperform rating' in a report published on Wednesday April 19th. SVB Leerink lowered their price target for Johnson & Johnson to $186.00 from $194.00 in a research report on Friday, January 20, and gave the stock an 'outperform rating'. UBS Group began covering Johnson & Johnson on Tuesday, March 28, in a research note. The stock was given a neutral' score and a price target of $164.00. Atlantic Securities lowered its target price for Johnson & Johnson, from $168.00 down to $167.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 19. They also set a neutral' rating. Guggenheim started covering shares of Johnson & Johnson on February 28th in a research note. The company was given a neutral' score and a target price of $161.00. Seven analysts rated the stock as a 'hold rating', six gave a buy recommendation and one assigned a strong buy rating. Trading on Tuesday saw a $1.43 increase, bringing the price to $165.03. Stock of the company traded 7,497 187 shares compared to an average of 8,066,718. The company has a moving average for the last 50 days of $158, and a moving average for the past 200 days of $167,05. Johnson & Johnson's 12 month low is $150.11, and its 12 month high is $183.35.

The company last released its earnings on Tuesday, 18th April. The company posted $2.68 in earnings per share for the third quarter, exceeding the consensus estimate by $0.17. The company had a revenue of $24.75 Billion for the quarter compared with analyst estimates of $23.61 Billion. Johnson & Johnson's return on equity was 35.53%, and its net margin was 13.22%. Revenue was up 5.6% year-over-year. In the same time period last year, the company had posted $2.67 in earnings per share. Analysts expect Johnson & Johnson to post 10.66 EPS in the current fiscal.

Johnson & Johnson increases dividend

Recently, the firm announced that it will pay a quarterly dividend on June 6th. Dividends will be paid to stockholders who held shares on May 23rd. Johnson & Johnson had previously paid a $1.13 quarterly dividend. This dividend will be paid on Monday, May 22nd. This is a $4.76 dividend with a yield of 2.8%. Johnson & Johnson has a dividend payout ratio of 94.56%.

Insider Activities

Insider James D. Swanson, in related news, sold 1,062 of the company's shares on Monday, 6th March. The shares were purchased at an average of $154.66, resulting in a transaction totaling $164,248.92. The insider owns 9,215 of the company stock valued at $1.425,191.90 after the transaction. Insiders own 0.20%.

Institutional Trading of Johnson & Johnson

Recently, a number of institutional investors changed their positions in the company. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in Johnson & Johnson 90,144.4% over the fourth quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC owns 54.386,720 shares valued at $9.607,414,000, after buying an additional 54.326,454 in the fourth quarter. Norges Bank acquired a position in Johnson & Johnson shares valued at $4.609,399,000 during the fourth quarter. Morgan Stanley increased its stake in Johnson & Johnson shares by 12.0% during the fourth quarter. Morgan Stanley owns 42.224,521 shares worth $7.458,962,000, after purchasing an additional 4,521.062 shares during the last quarter. Nordwand Advisors LLC purchased shares of Johnson & Johnson worth $785.273,000 in the fourth quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its stake in Johnson & Johnson in the fourth quarter by 15.1%. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD owns 29,277.774 shares worth $5,171,919,000, after purchasing an additional 3,849148 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and institutional investors own 67.94%.

Johnson & Johnson Company Profile

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Johnson & Johnson, a holding, is a company that engages in research and development, manufacturing and sales of health care products. The company operates in three segments: Consumer Health (Beauty), Pharmaceuticals, and MedTech. Consumer Health includes products focusing on personal healthcare for the Skin Health/Beauty market, as well as Oral Care, Women's Health, Wound Care, and Over-the Counter medicines.

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