Ahead Of Johnson & Johnson's Q1 Results

(RTTNews) - Healthcare and consumer products giant Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) is likely to report first-quarter results before the bell on Tuesday, April 19, with analysts estimating earnings of $1.66 per share on revenue of $17.50 billion. Analysts' estimate typically exclude certain special items.

For fiscal 2016, the company expects sales to be in the range of $70.8 billion - $71.5 billion, reflecting expected operational growth in the range of 2.5% - 3.5%. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, divestitures and hepatitis C sales, operational sales growth is expected to be in the range of 4.5% - 6.0%.

Additionally, the company sees 2016 adjusted earnings between $6.43 and $6.58 per share, reflecting expected operational growth in the range of 5.3% - 7.7%. Wall Street analysts have a consensus earnings estimate of $6.53 per share and revenue of $71.55 billion for 2016.

In the last quarter...

Net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2015 increased to $3.22 billion or $1.15 per share from $2.52 billion or $0.89 per share in the fourth-quarter 2014.

Adjusted net earnings for the quarter rose to $4.04 billion or $1.44 per share from $3.89 billion or $1.37 per share in the prior year. On an operational basis, adjusted earnings per share increased 12.4% to $1.54 from the prior year.

Sales were $17.8 billion for the fourth quarter of 2015, a decrease of 2.4% as compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. Operational sales results increased 4.4% and the negative impact of currency was 6.8%. Domestic sales increased 8.0%.

International sales decreased 11.7%, reflecting operational growth of 1.2% and a negative currency impact of 12.9%. Excluding the net impact of acquisitions, divestitures and hepatitis C sales, on an operational basis, worldwide sales increased 7.8%, domestic sales increased 13.4% and international sales increased 2.9%.

Alex Gorsky, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Johnson & Johnson delivered strong underlying growth in 2015, driven by the performance of our Pharmaceutical business and iconic Consumer brands. As we enter 2016, our core business is very healthy, and the recent decisive actions we've taken in support of each of our businesses position us well to drive sustainable long-term growth, faster than the markets we compete in."