Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) Shares Acquired by Verity & Verity LLC

Verity & Verity LLC boosted its position in shares of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ - Free Report) by 10.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 106,085 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 10,050 shares during the period. Verity & Verity LLC's holdings in Johnson & Johnson were worth $15,342,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Summit Wealth Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Summit Wealth Partners LLC now owns 10,007 shares of the company's stock worth $1,463,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. Powers Advisory Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 0.6% in the third quarter. Powers Advisory Group LLC now owns 9,489 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,538,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Eagle Wealth Strategies LLC boosted its stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 2.8% during the third quarter. Eagle Wealth Strategies LLC now owns 2,294 shares of the company's stock valued at $372,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Knuff & Co LLC increased its position in Johnson & Johnson by 0.7% during the 3rd quarter. Knuff & Co LLC now owns 9,466 shares of the company's stock worth $1,534,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Perkins Coie Trust Co lifted its holdings in Johnson & Johnson by 1.8% in the 3rd quarter. Perkins Coie Trust Co now owns 3,705 shares of the company's stock valued at $600,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.55% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. Guggenheim boosted their price target on Johnson & Johnson from $156.00 to $162.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $178.00 to $181.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $185.00 to $175.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Johnson & Johnson from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald restated an "overweight" rating and set a $215.00 price target on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $174.29.

Insider Buying and Selling at Johnson & Johnson

In related news, Director Mark A. Weinberger purchased 1,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 12th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $147.22 per share, for a total transaction of $147,220.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 1,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $147,220. This represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.16% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Johnson & Johnson Stock Down 0.5 %

JNJ stock traded down $0.74 during trading on Monday, reaching $147.03. The stock had a trading volume of 10,678,393 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,880,262. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $148.51 and a 200 day moving average price of $156.10. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. The company has a market capitalization of $353.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.28, a PEG ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 0.51. Johnson & Johnson has a 1-year low of $140.68 and a 1-year high of $168.85.

Johnson & Johnson Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 4th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be issued a dividend of $1.24 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $4.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.37%. Johnson & Johnson's dividend payout ratio is presently 71.78%.

About Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson, together with its subsidiaries, researches, develops, manufactures, and sells various products in the healthcare field worldwide. The company's Innovative Medicine segment offers products for various therapeutic areas, such as immunology, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis; infectious diseases comprising HIV/AIDS; neuroscience, consisting of mood disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, and schizophrenia; oncology, such as prostate cancer, hematologic malignancies, lung cancer, and bladder cancer; cardiovascular and metabolism, including thrombosis, diabetes, and macular degeneration; and pulmonary hypertension comprising pulmonary arterial hypertension through retailers, wholesalers, distributors, hospitals, and healthcare professionals for prescription use.