Devices support Johnson & Johnson quarter 1 growth while observers mull acquisitions
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
While Johnson & Johnson may have lost out to Boston in its bid to acquire Guidant, the diversified healthcare company could at least console itself with having gained $368m as compensation from Guidant for terminating their previous merger agreement. The one-off gain boosted J&J's first-quarter net earnings to $3.3bn - up 16.4% from the previous year - and more than offset $29m in acquisition charges incurred during that period.