


Schaeffer's Street Stories: Johnson & Johnson Issues 2009 Earnings Warning
CINCINNATI--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Before the open this morning, healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) announced fourth-quarter earnings of $2.71 billion, or 97 cents per share, compared with its year-ago profit of $3.27 billion, or 82 cents per share. The company said cost cuts offset weak sales of its drugs, devices, and consumer products amid the economic downturn.
"Fourth-quarter sales missed across all divisions, both international and domestic," Leerink Swann analyst Rick Wise said in a research report.
Global quarterly sales dropped nearly 5% to $15.2 billion, below the consensus estimate of $15.9 billion. Sales would have fallen only 1% if not for the strengthening dollar, which lowers overseas sales when converted back into U.S. currency.
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