EasyCompare

Relative Intelligence · Pharmaceuticals

How Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on JNJ alone. It places JNJ (Johnson & Johnson) against 20+ popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where JNJ stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: JNJ's full trading record, from October 1986 through September 2026. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.

Data as of October 20, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.

Rank the market against JNJ →Chart JNJ vs. 21 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

How much would $10,000 in JNJ have grown?

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in JNJ over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of JNJ over the same span and JNJ's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Choose a period

From the end of September 1997 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 311 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of JNJ; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$10,000$100,000$1M199720022007201220172022$10,000$100,000$1M19972004201120182025
  • GILD$2M+15,614% total · +19.1% a year
  • AMGN$526,909+5,169% total · +14.6% a year
  • LLY$396,376+3,864% total · +13.5% a year
  • BIIB$323,632+3,136% total · +12.7% a year
  • TMO$235,386+2,254% total · +11.5% a year
  • JNJ$189,226+1,792% total · +10.7% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
  • NVS$105,143+951% total · +8.5% a year
  • MRK$82,561+726% total · +7.6% a year
  • VTRS$23,883+139% total · +3.0% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 923 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of JNJ; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,000202120222023202420252026$0$20,000$40,000$60,000202120222023202420252026
  • LLY$52,411+424% total · +39.3% a year
  • ABBV$29,134+191% total · +23.8% a year
  • GILD$25,496+155% total · +20.6% a year
  • AMGN$23,160+132% total · +18.3% a year
  • MRK$22,538+125% total · +17.6% a year
  • NVS$21,146+111% total · +16.2% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • JNJ$18,849+88.5% total · +13.5% a year
  • VTRS$16,124+61.2% total · +10.0% a year
  • TMO$11,986+19.9% total · +3.7% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

JNJ at a glance

This section summarizes the key facts about the stock, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.

The company

Market value
$625B
Industry
Drug Manufacturers - General
Price history from
October 1986

Returns

Past 1 year
+36.9%total return
Past 3 years
+84.6%+22.7% a year
Past 5 years
+82.1%+12.7% a year
Past 10 years
+196%+11.5% a year
Best calendar year
+47.5%2025
Worst calendar year
−8.6%2023
Losing years
8 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
17.9%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.76return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−38.1%Aug 1987 to Oct 1987
From its all-time high
−6.9%below the peak

JNJ against the whole market

Where JNJ ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.

How does JNJ rank among all stocks?

This section ranks JNJ on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every stock worth at least $300 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how JNJ stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.

Ranked against U.S.-listed stocks worth at least $300M that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller stocks are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.

MeasureJNJRankStanding
1-year return+36.9%801 of 3,287top 24%
3-year return+84.6%1,077 of 3,017top 36%
5-year return+82.1%803 of 2,893top 28%
10-year return+196%876 of 2,202top 40%
Volatility, 5 years17.9%45 of 2,893top 2%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.76343 of 2,893top 12%
Worst decline, past 10 years−27.4%10 of 2,187top 1%

What has beaten JNJ on both return and risk?

Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). JNJ sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than JNJ with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to JNJ; faint dots are 11 more of the 18 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

10.0%12.0%14.0%16.0%18.0%20.0%22.0%24.0%26.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than JNJIUS: +14.7% a year, volatility 14.9%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%AVLV: +14.0% a year, volatility 16.9%PVAL: +16.1% a year, volatility 15.1%FDL: +13.9% a year, volatility 14.4%EMLP: +14.9% a year, volatility 14.5%USMC: +14.1% a year, volatility 16.4%GCOW: +14.1% a year, volatility 13.6%DGT: +13.8% a year, volatility 15.1%IDOG: +14.1% a year, volatility 15.6%VSLU: +13.7% a year, volatility 16.2%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%MRK: +16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%RPRX: +13.3% a year, volatility 23.8%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%DIVB: +13.9% a year, volatility 15.4%FFLC: +15.7% a year, volatility 16.8%SDCI: +20.6% a year, volatility 18.4%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%VLUE: +15.9% a year, volatility 18.4%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%IWX: +12.7% a year, volatility 13.8%JNJSPY (S&P 500)ABBVGILDAMGNMRKCAHMCKRPRXKODIVBFFLCSDCILVHIVLUEIWX10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than JNJIUS: +14.7% a year, volatility 14.9%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%AVLV: +14.0% a year, volatility 16.9%PVAL: +16.1% a year, volatility 15.1%FDL: +13.9% a year, volatility 14.4%EMLP: +14.9% a year, volatility 14.5%USMC: +14.1% a year, volatility 16.4%GCOW: +14.1% a year, volatility 13.6%DGT: +13.8% a year, volatility 15.1%IDOG: +14.1% a year, volatility 15.6%VSLU: +13.7% a year, volatility 16.2%JNJ: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%MRK: +16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%RPRX: +13.3% a year, volatility 23.8%KO: +14.7% a year, volatility 16.8%DIVB: +13.9% a year, volatility 15.4%FFLC: +15.7% a year, volatility 16.8%SDCI: +20.6% a year, volatility 18.4%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%VLUE: +15.9% a year, volatility 18.4%BRK-B: +13.4% a year, volatility 17.1%IWX: +12.7% a year, volatility 13.8%JNJSPY (S&P 500)ABBVGILDAMGNMRKCAHMCKRPRXKODIVBSDCILVHIVLUE
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region
  • 1 with more than 1.6× JNJ's volatility is in the table only

Is there a better investment than JNJ?

Investments that beat JNJ over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.

How this works

The table below lists investments that beat JNJ over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes. It checks JNJ's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than JNJ follows the table.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than JNJ's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× JNJ's volatility counts as better.

These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than JNJ's.

Screen the whole market against JNJ for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 17 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with JNJ?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
JNJJohnson & Johnson · this page
+12.7%17.9%0.76−27.4%+196%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.190.09%
Popular alternativesbest 5 shownThe investments people most often weigh against JNJ. 5 of 21 passed at least one test.
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return in most periods+40.7%32.8%1.21−34.5%+1,807%0.32—
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return in most periods+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%0.60—
GILDGilead Sciences, Inc. · Biotechnology
Higher return in most periods+22.8%24.9%0.95−30.5%+200%0.40—
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Higher return in most periods+19.6%24.9%0.85−24.9%+266%0.60—
MRKMerck & Co., Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return in most periods+16.3%24.8%0.74−43.4%+241%0.49—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 3 shownEverything else in Pharmaceuticals and the categories next to it (Biotechnology, Health Care Distribution, Life Sciences Tools, Medical Devices), plus JNJ's specific themes. 3 of 103 passed at least one test.
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
On the frontierHigher return in most periods+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.39—
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Higher return in most periods+38.7%25.0%1.44−38.1%+586%0.27—
RPRXRoyalty Pharma plc · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return in most periods+13.3%23.8%0.65−49.7%—0.39—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 108 of 3,509 passed at least one test.
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+14.7%16.8%0.91−37.0%+204%0.56—
DIVBiShares Core Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+13.9%15.4%0.93−36.9%—0.380.05%
FFLCFidelity Fundamental Large Cap Core ETF · Broad Market
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+15.7%16.8%0.95−19.7%—0.190.38%
SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Bonds
On the frontierHigher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+20.6%18.4%1.12−45.7%—0.170.80%
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatility+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.540.40%
VLUEiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+15.9%18.4%0.90−39.5%+286%0.280.15%
BRK-BBerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Higher return in most periods+13.4%17.1%0.82−29.6%+274%0.53—
IWXiShares Russell Top 200 Value ETF · Broad Market
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+12.7%13.8%0.94−35.8%+221%0.440.20%
What these numbers mean for JNJ
Annual return
JNJ returned 12.7% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.7% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $18,200. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
Volatility
JNJ's volatility over the past 5 years was 17.9%, 1.0 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, JNJ's return lands within 17.9% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
Sharpe ratio
JNJ's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.76, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so JNJ earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
Worst decline
JNJ's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 27.4%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 27.4% fall takes a 37.7% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, JNJ's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.19 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They are only loosely linked, which makes it a real diversifier next to an index fund. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against JNJ instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a JNJ holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 18 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than JNJ with less volatility

Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. The strongest 15 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with JNJExpense
1
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Food & Beverages
Whole market+14.7%16.8%0.91−37.0%+204%0.56—
2
DIVBiShares Core Dividend ETF · Dividend & Income
Whole market+13.9%15.4%0.93−36.9%—0.380.05%
3
IUSInvesco RAFI Strategic US ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+14.7%14.9%1.00−34.7%—0.350.19%
4
FFLCFidelity Fundamental Large Cap Core ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+15.7%16.8%0.95−19.7%—0.190.38%
5
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.540.40%
6
DFIVDimensional - International Value ETF · International Equity
Whole market+14.8%16.4%0.93−25.4%—0.390.27%
7
AVLVAvantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+14.0%16.9%0.86−19.5%—0.340.15%
8
PVALPutnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+16.1%15.1%1.07−41.3%—0.340.56%
9
FDLFirst Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+13.9%14.4%0.98−41.4%+199%0.550.43%
10
EMLPFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund · Energy Infrastructure
Whole market+14.9%14.5%1.04−43.6%+150%0.410.95%
11
USMCPrincipal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+14.1%16.4%0.89−30.0%—0.160.12%
12
GCOWPacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF · International
Whole market+14.1%13.6%1.04−37.6%+168%0.460.60%
13
DGTState Street SPDR Global Dow ETF · International
Whole market+13.8%15.1%0.94−34.4%+261%0.360.50%
14
IDOGALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF · International
Whole market+14.1%15.6%0.93−37.3%+180%0.370.50%
15
VSLUApplied Finance Valuation Large Cap ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+13.7%16.2%0.88−23.8%—0.220.49%

JNJ against its popular alternatives

The investments people most often weigh against JNJ, compared period by period and year by year.

How do JNJ's risk and return compare with its alternatives?

This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at JNJ, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.

Green points earned more than JNJ with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.

15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityJNJ: 12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%VTRS: 10.4% a year, volatility 33.6%TMO: 2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%ISRG: 5.2% a year, volatility 34.6%AZN: 8.7% a year, volatility 35.7%ABT: −1.7% a year, volatility 23.1%TAK: 11.8% a year, volatility 19.4%BIIB: −1.8% a year, volatility 34.7%REGN: 7.7% a year, volatility 31.1%BMY: 5.5% a year, volatility 24.9%PFE: −1.7% a year, volatility 25.4%MDT: −1.8% a year, volatility 22.5%SYK: 3.2% a year, volatility 25.7%NVO: −4.0% a year, volatility 39.1%GSK: 9.5% a year, volatility 24.5%SNY: 0.6% a year, volatility 25.3%LLY: 40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%ABBV: 26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%AMGN: 19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%MRK: 16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%GILD: 22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%NVS: 17.2% a year, volatility 20.7%JNJSPY (S&P 500)VTRSTMOISRGAZNABTBIIBREGNBMYPFEMDTSYKNVOGSKSNYLLYABBVAMGNMRKGILDNVS15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityJNJ: 12.7% a year, volatility 17.9%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%VTRS: 10.4% a year, volatility 33.6%TMO: 2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%ISRG: 5.2% a year, volatility 34.6%AZN: 8.7% a year, volatility 35.7%ABT: −1.7% a year, volatility 23.1%TAK: 11.8% a year, volatility 19.4%BIIB: −1.8% a year, volatility 34.7%REGN: 7.7% a year, volatility 31.1%BMY: 5.5% a year, volatility 24.9%PFE: −1.7% a year, volatility 25.4%MDT: −1.8% a year, volatility 22.5%SYK: 3.2% a year, volatility 25.7%NVO: −4.0% a year, volatility 39.1%GSK: 9.5% a year, volatility 24.5%SNY: 0.6% a year, volatility 25.3%LLY: 40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%ABBV: 26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%AMGN: 19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%MRK: 16.3% a year, volatility 24.8%GILD: 22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%NVS: 17.2% a year, volatility 20.7%JNJSPY (S&P 500)VTRSTMOISRGABTBIIBREGNBMYPFEMDTSYKGSKLLYABBVAMGNMRKGILDNVS
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
LLY Eli Lilly and Company+40.7%32.8%
ABBV AbbVie Inc.+26.1%23.4%
GILD Gilead Sciences, Inc.+22.8%24.9%
AMGN Amgen Inc.+19.6%24.9%
NVS Novartis AG+17.2%20.7%
MRK Merck & Co., Inc.+16.3%24.8%
JNJ This pageJohnson & Johnson+12.7%17.9%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
TAK Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited+11.8%19.4%
VTRS Viatris Inc.+10.4%33.6%
GSK GSK plc+9.5%24.5%
AZN AstraZeneca PLC+8.7%35.7%
REGN Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.+7.7%31.1%
BMY Bristol-Myers Squibb Company+5.5%24.9%
ISRG Intuitive Surgical, Inc.+5.2%34.6%
SYK Stryker Corporation+3.2%25.7%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.+2.9%27.8%
SNY Sanofi+0.6%25.3%
ABT Abbott Laboratories−1.7%23.1%
PFE Pfizer Inc.−1.7%25.4%
BIIB Biogen Inc.−1.8%34.7%
MDT Medtronic Plc−1.8%22.5%
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S−4.0%39.1%
Open these 23 in EasyCompare

Has JNJ consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

This section compares JNJ with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than JNJ helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.

A green cell means the alternative earned more than JNJ over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5Y10YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
JNJ Johnson & Johnson (this page)—−3.8%+4.8%+13.6%+27.1%+36.9%+84.6%+82.1%+196%17.9%0.76−27.4%—$625B—
LLY QualifiedEli Lilly and Company4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+10.2%+12.1%+40.0%+19.4%+59.7%+124%+451%+1,807%32.8%1.21−34.5%—$1.2T—
ABBV QualifiedAbbVie Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+9.9%+14.8%+43.8%+29.8%+28.3%+118%+218%+603%23.4%1.11−45.1%—$511B—
AMGN QualifiedAmgen Inc.5/5 short2/3 long+11.6%+21.2%+27.0%+36.7%+48.7%+72.2%+145%+266%24.9%0.85−24.9%—$237B—
MRK QualifiedMerck & Co., Inc.5/5 short2/3 long−0.8%+19.9%+28.3%+42.2%+76.8%+58.3%+113%+241%24.8%0.74−43.4%—$366B—
GILD QualifiedGilead Sciences, Inc.4/5 short2/3 long+4.0%+18.2%+16.6%+31.0%+30.3%+121%+180%+200%24.9%0.95−30.5%—$194B—
NVS Drug Manufacturers - GeneralNovartis AG1/5 short2/3 long+9.0%+2.7%+1.8%+13.1%+18.8%+75.9%+121%+226%20.7%0.87−26.8%—$292B—
VTRS Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & GenericViatris Inc.5/5 short1/3 long+9.1%+10.6%+27.3%+53.1%+87.1%+127%+64.3%−38.0%33.6%0.47−82.0%—$21B—
TMO Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchThermo Fisher Scientific Inc.3/5 short1/3 long+4.3%+30.7%+30.9%+16.3%+26.8%+49.5%+15.1%+366%27.8%0.24−40.9%—$254B—
ISRG Medical - Instruments & SuppliesIntuitive Surgical, Inc.2/5 short1/3 long+9.0%+24.0%−5.9%−22.1%−4.5%+64.1%+28.9%+478%34.6%0.32−49.9%—$155B—
AZN Drug Manufacturers - GeneralAstraZeneca PLC1/5 short1/3 long+0.4%+3.3%−15.3%−7.0%+1.8%+38.8%+52.1%+257%35.7%0.41−28.7%—$262B—
ABT Medical - DevicesAbbott Laboratories1/5 short1/3 long+0.3%+1.6%+8.4%−15.3%−18.7%+13.0%−8.0%+204%23.1%0.04−39.6%—$178B—
TAK Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & GenericTakeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited5/5 short0/3 long+8.6%+20.3%+16.9%+33.6%+48.2%+56.1%+75.1%+30.4%19.4%0.68−54.4%—$64B—
BIIB Drug Manufacturers - GeneralBiogen Inc.5/5 short0/3 long+11.0%+21.6%+32.6%+36.7%+65.8%−5.6%−8.8%−18.9%34.7%0.11−72.7%—$36B—
REGN BiotechnologyRegeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.3/5 short0/3 long+1.2%+20.3%+8.0%+4.4%+40.7%+0.8%+44.9%+120%31.1%0.40−59.7%—$83B—
BMY Drug Manufacturers - GeneralBristol-Myers Squibb Company2/5 short0/3 long−0.5%+3.6%+6.6%+19.1%+47.8%+25.8%+30.6%+74.8%24.9%0.34−47.7%—$126B—
PFE Drug Manufacturers - GeneralPfizer Inc.2/5 short0/3 long+8.5%+23.8%+13.2%+25.7%+30.5%+19.2%−8.3%+55.0%25.4%0.06−58.9%—$172B—
MDT Medical - DevicesMedtronic Plc2/5 short0/3 long+4.0%+14.5%+13.3%+1.0%+1.9%+43.6%−8.8%+46.7%22.5%0.03−45.1%—$121B—
SYK Medical - DevicesStryker Corporation1/5 short0/3 long+11.4%−4.3%−9.5%−11.8%−19.2%+18.0%+17.2%+197%25.7%0.25−43.8%—$117B—
NVO Drug Manufacturers - GeneralNovo Nordisk A/S1/5 short0/3 long−1.1%−20.0%−1.5%−23.9%−28.5%−57.0%−18.5%+134%39.1%0.09−75.2%—$174B—
GSK Drug Manufacturers - GeneralGSK plc1/5 short0/3 long−0.9%+2.1%−10.1%+4.7%+18.9%+60.0%+57.2%+95.1%24.5%0.49−37.6%—$102B—
SNY Drug Manufacturers - GeneralSanofi1/5 short0/3 long−2.6%−5.9%−10.3%−10.7%−13.4%−10.0%+3.0%+61.5%25.3%0.15−33.5%—$99B—
Open these 22 in EasyCompare

How did JNJ do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 1997, along with where JNJ ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with JNJ and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of JNJ; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places JNJ among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of JNJ20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
JNJ This pageJohnson & Johnson—+47.5%−4.8%−8.6%+6.0%+11.4%+10.8%+16.2%−5.1%+24.4%+15.3%+1.2%+17.3%+34.6%+10.8%+9.9%−0.6%+11.3%−7.7%+3.6%+12.4%−3.4%+25.2%−2.0%−7.9%+14.0%+14.2%+12.5%+29.0%+34.3%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 3 of 292 of 2216 of 2220 of 2213 of 2212 of 229 of 2215 of 2216 of 229 of 223 of 2213 of 2214 of 2211 of 2215 of 2112 of 2114 of 2115 of 217 of 2012 of 2011 of 2015 of 204 of 2018 of 206 of 197 of 1915 of 186 of 1812 of 1811 of 18
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF14 of 29+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%−4.6%+21.7%+12.0%+1.2%+13.5%+32.3%+16.0%+1.9%+15.1%+26.4%−36.8%+5.1%+15.9%+4.8%+10.7%+28.2%−21.6%−11.7%−9.8%+20.4%+28.7%+33.5%
LLY Eli Lilly and Company16 of 29+40.3%+33.3%+60.9%+34.3%+66.1%+31.0%+16.2%+40.5%+17.8%−10.4%+25.4%+39.8%+7.3%+24.2%+25.2%+3.6%−6.2%−21.3%+5.7%−5.2%+2.6%−17.6%+13.1%−17.6%−14.4%+41.9%−24.3%+29.1%+93.6%
ABBV AbbVie Inc.9 of 13+33.1%+18.9%−0.2%+24.0%+32.4%+27.7%+1.5%−1.0%+60.1%+9.8%−6.5%+27.9%+60.7%————————————————
AMGN Amgen Inc.13 of 29+29.7%−6.8%+13.5%+20.4%+0.9%−2.0%+27.6%+15.2%+22.3%−7.6%+4.0%+42.3%+34.8%+36.8%+18.2%−3.0%−2.0%+24.3%−32.0%−13.4%+22.9%+3.8%+27.8%−14.4%−11.7%+6.5%+130%+93.3%−0.4%
MRK Merck & Co., Inc.14 of 29+9.8%−6.3%+1.0%+49.4%+1.8%−7.2%+22.3%+40.0%−1.5%+15.0%−3.9%+16.9%+26.9%+13.1%+9.6%+2.9%+26.7%−45.3%+37.3%+42.8%+4.0%−27.7%−11.2%−1.2%−36.0%+41.8%−7.7%+41.6%+35.7%
GILD Gilead Sciences, Inc.19 of 29+36.6%+18.7%−2.0%+23.6%+29.9%−6.7%+7.9%−9.9%+3.0%−27.6%+8.6%+25.5%+105%+79.5%+12.9%−16.3%−15.4%+11.2%+41.7%+23.4%+50.2%+20.1%+71.4%+3.6%+58.2%+53.9%+31.7%+6.7%+53.6%
NVS Novartis AG15 of 29+46.0%−0.5%+21.1%+6.6%−5.0%+2.2%+29.1%+6.2%+19.8%−11.8%−4.3%+19.4%+32.2%+16.1%+1.5%+12.6%+14.6%−5.4%−3.4%+11.3%+6.0%+12.3%+27.5%+2.1%−17.2%+30.6%−24.1%+21.9%+52.9%
VTRS Viatris Inc.12 of 29+5.0%+19.7%+2.0%−14.3%−26.2%−6.8%−26.6%−35.2%+10.9%−29.4%−4.1%+29.9%+58.1%+27.9%+1.6%+14.6%+86.4%−29.7%−29.1%+1.1%+14.2%−29.6%+63.5%−6.4%+49.9%+0.7%−19.5%+51.3%+27.1%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.17 of 29+11.8%−1.7%−3.4%−17.3%+43.5%+43.7%+45.6%+18.2%+35.0%−0.1%+13.8%+13.1%+75.8%+43.2%−18.8%+16.1%+40.0%−40.9%+27.4%+50.3%−0.2%+19.8%+25.3%−15.7%+5.6%+98.2%−11.4%−61.5%+6.7%
ISRG Intuitive Surgical, Inc.17 of 25+8.5%+54.7%+27.1%−26.2%+31.8%+38.4%+23.4%+31.2%+72.7%+16.1%+3.3%+37.7%−21.7%+5.9%+79.6%−15.0%+139%−60.7%+237%−18.2%+193%+134%+38.7%−38.6%+18.0%————
AZN AstraZeneca PLC14 of 29+38.0%−1.2%+0.8%+20.4%+17.9%+2.9%+37.4%+13.9%+35.3%−16.7%+0.1%+24.6%+32.0%+8.6%+6.0%+3.5%+20.4%+0.3%−17.1%+12.7%+36.9%−22.0%+38.2%−23.2%−7.9%+28.7%−5.3%+27.0%+31.8%
ABT Abbott Laboratories18 of 29+12.9%+4.8%+2.3%−20.7%+30.5%+28.1%+22.1%+29.1%+52.0%−12.3%+1.9%+20.1%+24.3%+20.3%+21.8%−8.3%+4.6%−2.5%+18.1%+26.9%−13.5%+9.2%+19.3%−26.8%+17.0%+35.8%−24.7%+51.9%+31.4%
TAK Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited7 of 17+22.7%−3.2%−4.8%+20.1%−21.6%−3.0%+22.1%−38.8%+41.3%−14.0%+24.4%−6.5%+7.4%+5.8%−5.0%+21.2%−16.1%————————————
BIIB Biogen Inc.15 of 29+15.1%−40.9%−6.6%+15.4%−2.0%−17.5%−1.4%−5.5%+12.3%−7.4%−9.8%+21.4%+91.0%+33.0%+64.1%+25.3%+12.3%−16.3%+15.7%+8.6%−32.0%+81.5%+10.6%−51.9%+9.1%+93.0%+318%+36.6%+44.7%
REGN Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.17 of 29+9.0%−18.9%+21.7%+14.2%+30.7%+28.7%+0.5%−0.7%+2.4%−32.4%+32.3%+49.0%+60.9%+209%+68.8%+35.8%+31.7%−24.0%+20.3%+26.2%+72.7%−37.4%−20.6%−34.3%−20.2%+177%+72.8%−13.8%−46.9%
BMY Bristol-Myers Squibb Company15 of 29+0.1%+15.8%−26.1%+19.0%+2.9%+0.4%+27.7%−12.9%+7.7%−13.5%+19.3%+14.2%+70.0%−3.8%+39.4%+8.8%+14.8%−6.1%+4.8%+19.9%−6.2%−7.2%+29.1%−52.4%−26.2%+17.1%−2.8%+42.9%+77.1%
PFE Pfizer Inc.12 of 29+0.6%−2.2%−41.3%−10.4%+66.7%+3.4%−6.7%+25.1%+16.1%+4.4%+7.3%+5.4%+26.5%+20.6%+28.8%+0.6%+8.1%−16.9%−8.2%+15.3%−10.6%−22.3%+17.7%−22.2%−12.5%+43.0%−21.5%+68.8%+82.0%
MDT Medtronic Plc13 of 29+24.0%+0.3%+9.6%−22.6%−9.8%+5.7%+27.3%+15.2%+15.3%−5.4%+8.6%+28.1%+42.8%+10.6%+5.8%−13.8%+42.6%−36.3%−5.2%−6.3%+16.8%+2.7%+7.3%−10.3%−14.8%+66.4%−1.5%+42.1%+55.3%
SYK Stryker Corporation20 of 29−1.5%+21.3%+23.8%−7.4%+10.2%+18.2%+35.3%+2.4%+30.8%+30.7%0.0%+27.4%+39.3%+12.1%−6.1%+7.9%+26.7%−46.0%+36.2%+24.5%−7.7%+13.7%+26.8%+15.2%+15.6%+45.6%+26.6%+47.9%+25.0%
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S17 of 29−39.2%−15.9%+54.8%+22.6%+63.5%+23.3%+28.7%−11.8%+54.3%−36.6%+39.3%+16.7%+15.3%+44.0%+4.1%+79.3%+27.2%−19.8%+57.4%+51.3%+5.6%+34.6%+43.5%−27.0%+14.4%+39.0%−1.9%−7.3%+54.9%
GSK GSK plc11 of 29+51.3%−5.2%+9.8%−16.8%+27.1%−17.7%+29.2%+13.8%−3.0%+2.1%−0.3%−15.7%+28.9%+0.6%+22.7%−2.1%+19.2%−22.2%−0.8%+7.9%+9.9%+5.6%+28.8%−21.6%−9.7%+4.1%−17.9%+48.2%+55.8%
SNY Sanofi9 of 23+4.9%+1.1%+6.5%+0.5%+7.0%+0.4%+20.5%+6.0%+9.9%−1.2%−3.4%−11.9%+17.1%+36.0%+18.8%−13.4%+28.7%−26.5%+1.0%+7.2%+11.6%+8.2%+26.2%——————
Open these 23 in EasyCompare

Risk and diversification

How JNJ has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.

What were JNJ's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents JNJ's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1986, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

Green means JNJ fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringJNJ fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
No named crash−38.1%—Aug 1987Oct 19872 monthsMay 198919 months
No named crash−36.4%—Jan 1992Aug 199319 monthsOct 199414 months
No named crash−36.3%−2.7%Nov 1999Mar 20004 monthsDec 20009 months
Dot-com bust−35.9%−27.6%Mar 2002Jul 20024 monthsDec 20042.4 years
2008 financial crisis−34.4%−45.6%Sep 2008Mar 20096 monthsMay 20112.2 years

How did JNJ do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far JNJ, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.

Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than JNJ.

InvestmentHeld up better2023 regional bank crisisMar 20232022 bear marketJan 2022Covid crashFeb 2020Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018February 2018 volatility shockFeb 20182015 China and oil sell-offAug 20152011 euro debt crisisJul 20112010 flash crashMay 20102008 financial crisisOct 2007Dot-com bustMar 2000
JNJ This pageJohnson & Johnson—−1.1%−12.7%−25.4%−16.9%−8.2%−9.0%−9.8%−0.1%−34.4%−35.9%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF1 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
LLY Eli Lilly and Company4 of 10−0.6%−11.7%−16.9%−10.2%−8.6%−19.6%−10.9%0.0%−50.0%−54.3%
ABBV AbbVie Inc.1 of 6−1.5%−21.9%−32.1%−18.1%−5.8%−29.8%————
AMGN Amgen Inc.5 of 10−1.2%−11.9%−18.3%−14.3%−7.4%−22.1%−12.6%−0.5%−31.3%−60.2%
MRK Merck & Co., Inc.4 of 10−2.4%−10.8%−19.3%−9.7%−6.6%−18.2%−17.4%−2.3%−63.3%−57.5%
GILD Gilead Sciences, Inc.2 of 10−1.6%−20.0%−13.7%−22.7%−5.5%−28.7%−18.2%−2.1%−34.3%−53.6%
NVS Novartis AG3 of 10−1.1%−20.4%−25.5%−9.9%−6.6%−30.1%−14.5%−2.6%−41.7%−25.7%
VTRS Viatris Inc.1 of 10−6.9%−43.3%−37.3%−32.8%−6.8%−31.9%−32.4%−0.1%−64.4%−47.3%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.1 of 10−2.4%−19.8%−24.8%−17.2%−8.7%−14.7%−24.4%−3.6%−53.9%−41.8%
ISRG Intuitive Surgical, Inc.0 of 9−2.7%−47.6%−40.5%−24.3%−8.4%−14.7%−20.6%−3.8%−75.9%—
AZN AstraZeneca PLC4 of 10−0.5%−25.7%−22.6%−11.4%−6.4%−18.0%−16.4%−1.1%−37.4%−43.5%
ABT Abbott Laboratories2 of 10−2.5%−27.9%−29.7%−11.7%−8.8%−27.4%−11.5%−0.5%−22.3%−45.7%
TAK Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited3 of 8−0.6%−14.8%−31.5%−27.9%−6.5%−17.0%−5.6%−3.7%——
BIIB Biogen Inc.1 of 10−2.5%−22.4%−21.2%−21.7%−9.3%−24.6%−19.4%−0.6%−52.7%−59.8%
REGN Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.3 of 10−0.2%−25.8%−12.7%−17.3%−7.3%−37.7%−23.2%−7.2%−49.9%−71.6%
BMY Bristol-Myers Squibb Company1 of 10−2.3%−16.0%−29.4%−22.9%−4.1%−16.3%−10.5%0.0%−39.2%−69.5%
PFE Pfizer Inc.2 of 10−1.8%−24.6%−21.8%−12.3%−8.1%−18.2%−16.1%−1.8%−49.8%−46.0%
MDT Medtronic Plc2 of 10−2.1%−27.9%−36.0%−13.8%−7.2%−17.6%−18.0%−1.5%−56.5%−44.2%
SYK Stryker Corporation1 of 10−1.4%−31.4%−43.8%−18.8%−8.8%−15.6%−23.0%−3.8%−58.6%−26.9%
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S3 of 10−1.1%−21.4%−23.7%−13.8%−3.9%−20.8%−23.1%−1.7%−40.9%−51.0%
GSK GSK plc3 of 10−0.3%−37.6%−26.5%−11.5%−4.3%−15.7%−12.4%−2.0%−46.6%−45.1%
SNY Sanofi2 of 9−0.5%−33.5%−25.2%−9.0%−9.8%−30.2%−20.7%−2.8%−46.6%—
Open these 23 in EasyCompare

How closely does JNJ move with the S&P 500?

Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares JNJ with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than JNJ's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
JNJ This pageJohnson & Johnson64%53%1.200.46
LLY Eli Lilly and Company101%6%15.730.37
ABBV AbbVie Inc.92%57%1.620.54
AZN AstraZeneca PLC60%39%1.520.39
GILD Gilead Sciences, Inc.52%36%1.440.35
MRK Merck & Co., Inc.64%46%1.390.30
AMGN Amgen Inc.74%64%1.160.54
NVS Novartis AG69%64%1.080.49
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.104%104%1.000.81
ABT Abbott Laboratories76%79%0.960.64
ISRG Intuitive Surgical, Inc.136%154%0.881.28
SYK Stryker Corporation82%96%0.860.88
REGN Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.55%66%0.840.19
GSK GSK plc51%61%0.820.52
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S75%94%0.800.60
BMY Bristol-Myers Squibb Company55%75%0.730.41
SNY Sanofi53%74%0.720.46
PFE Pfizer Inc.52%81%0.650.54
MDT Medtronic Plc62%105%0.590.68
TAK Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited34%58%0.580.44
VTRS Viatris Inc.74%179%0.411.14
BIIB Biogen Inc.35%91%0.380.28
Open these 22 in EasyCompare

What diversifies JNJ?

Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with JNJ's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing JNJ with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.

Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which JNJ lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% JNJ and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2024202320182010200820052003200280/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
JNJ Johnson & Johnson (this page)1.00+82.1%0.76−4.8%−8.6%−5.1%−0.6%−7.7%−3.4%−2.0%−7.9%17.7%+13.5%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.28+225%1.34+29.8%+42.0%−19.8%−1.8%−20.8%———15.1%+16.4%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.41+101%1.04+33.4%+8.0%−8.7%—————15.6%+14.2%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF-0.03+323%0.97+39.1%+73.4%−9.1%+19.0%−44.7%+10.8%+87.3%−47.0%15.6%+19.4%
DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF0.39+85.0%0.96+13.4%+20.1%−9.5%—————15.1%+13.8%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.18+126%0.96+26.7%+12.7%−1.9%+29.3%+4.9%+17.8%——15.1%+14.9%
SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF0.17+136%0.93+45.8%+17.6%−0.9%—————15.4%+15.6%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.32+177%0.93+5.6%−0.6%−18.2%+21.9%−39.0%+40.1%+25.9%−14.8%16.6%+16.0%
DFIV InternationalDimensional - International Value ETF0.39+99.4%0.93+7.2%+17.7%——————15.6%+14.2%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2024202320182010200820052003200280/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
JNJ Johnson & Johnson (this page)1.00+82.1%0.76−4.8%−8.6%−5.1%−0.6%−7.7%−3.4%−2.0%−7.9%17.7%+13.5%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.39+479%1.55+19.0%+34.1%−24.5%+21.4%−39.6%+18.7%+3.5%−8.3%16.9%+18.6%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.-0.10+3,143%1.47+215%+160%−16.3%+2.8%−20.5%−25.2%+6.9%−65.1%17.4%+32.2%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.11+1,636%1.46+107%+79.6%+0.8%+8.7%−15.2%+20.1%+63.6%−9.4%17.6%+27.7%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.27+413%1.44+23.7%+24.1%−28.4%+13.8%−40.4%+64.9%+19.9%−27.2%16.3%+18.1%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.20+690%1.41−4.0%+30.4%−8.2%—————16.7%+20.8%
Open these 14 in EasyCompare

Common questions

What was JNJ's worst drawdown?

JNJ's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 38.1%, from August to October 1987. It took 19 months from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were JNJ's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, JNJ's best year was 2025, when it returned 47.5%. Its worst was 2023, with a return of -8.6%.

Is there a better investment than JNJ?

Among JNJ's popular alternatives, LLY, ABBV and GILD were ahead of JNJ in most short and long periods, though with much bigger swings (32.8%, 23.4% and 24.9% volatility against 17.9%). Looking beyond its popular alternatives, CAH (health care distribution) and MCK (health care distribution) were ahead of JNJ in most short and long periods, though with much bigger swings (24.7% and 25.0% volatility against 17.9%).

Is JNJ more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. JNJ's volatility over the past 5 years was 17.9%, 1.0 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, JNJ's return lands within 17.9% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.

What is JNJ's Sharpe ratio?

JNJ's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.76, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so JNJ earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.

How correlated is JNJ with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, JNJ's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.19 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They are only loosely linked, which makes it a real diversifier next to an index fund. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against JNJ instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a JNJ holding.

What are the best alternatives to JNJ?

Of the 21 popular alternatives we compared, five outperformed JNJ in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: LLY, ABBV and AMGN.

Did JNJ outperform the S&P 500?

JNJ finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 12 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +47.5%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did JNJ do in stock market crashes?

JNJ fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in nine of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in one. The clearest case was the 2008 financial crisis, when JNJ fell 34.4% and the S&P 500 fell 55.2%.

What diversifies JNJ?

These had a low correlation with JNJ over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, DXJ (correlation 0.28), EMLP (correlation 0.41) and SMH (correlation -0.03); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.39), CLS (correlation -0.10) and FIX (correlation 0.11). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to JNJ