Stock Analysis on Net
Stock Analysis on Net

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)

$24.99

Economic Value Added (EVA)

Microsoft Excel

Economic Profit

Johnson & Johnson, economic profit calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 28, 2025 Dec 29, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1
Cost of capital2
Invested capital3
 
Economic profit4

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

1 NOPAT. See details »

2 Cost of capital. See details »

3 Invested capital. See details »

4 2025 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= × =


The financial performance from 2021 through 2025 is characterized by significant volatility in operating profitability and economic value creation, followed by a substantial recovery in the final period.

Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
A pronounced downward trend is observed between 2021 and 2023, with NOPAT declining from 18,861 million to a low of 8,905 million. This contraction represents a significant reduction in operational earnings. However, a strong recovery is evident in the subsequent years, with a moderate increase in 2024 followed by a surge to 28,330 million in 2025, marking the highest profitability level within the analyzed timeframe.
Capital Structure and Cost of Capital
The cost of capital remained exceptionally stable over the five-year duration, maintaining a tight range between 8.86% and 8.95%. In contrast, invested capital exhibited more fluctuation. After an increase in 2022 and a contraction in 2023, there was a steady rise in capital deployment, culminating in 138,153 million by 2025. This suggests an expansion of the asset base and increased investment in the business operations.
Economic Profit Analysis
Economic profit followed a trajectory closely mirrored by NOPAT, showing a sharp decline from 10,162 million in 2021 to a near-break-even point of 37 million in 2023. During 2023, the operating returns barely covered the cost of the capital employed, indicating a period of minimal value creation. A reversal is observed starting in 2024, with economic profit accelerating rapidly to 15,970 million in 2025. This final spike demonstrates that the growth in NOPAT significantly outpaced the increase in the capital charge, resulting in a substantial increase in shareholder value.

Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)

Johnson & Johnson, NOPAT calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 28, 2025 Dec 29, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Net earnings
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)1
Increase (decrease) in allowances for doubtful accounts2
Increase (decrease) in equity equivalents3
Interest expense, net of portion capitalized
Interest expense, operating lease liability4
Adjusted interest expense, net of portion capitalized
Tax benefit of interest expense, net of portion capitalized5
Adjusted interest expense, net of portion capitalized, after taxes6
Interest income
Investment income, before taxes
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income7
Investment income, after taxes8
(Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax9
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

1 Elimination of deferred tax expense. See details »

2 Addition of increase (decrease) in allowances for doubtful accounts.

3 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net earnings.

4 2025 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =

5 2025 Calculation
Tax benefit of interest expense, net of portion capitalized = Adjusted interest expense, net of portion capitalized × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

6 Addition of after taxes interest expense to net earnings.

7 2025 Calculation
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income = Investment income, before tax × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

8 Elimination of after taxes investment income.

9 Elimination of discontinued operations.


The reported Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT) demonstrates considerable fluctuation over the five-year period. While net earnings exhibit volatility, NOPAT presents a distinct pattern of decline followed by recovery.

Overall Trend
NOPAT decreased from US$18,861 million in 2021 to US$8,905 million in 2023, representing a substantial reduction. However, a significant recovery is then observed, with NOPAT increasing to US$11,461 million in 2024 and further to US$28,330 million in 2025. This indicates a period of operational challenges followed by improved performance.
Year-over-Year Changes
A decrease in NOPAT of approximately 14.8% is noted between 2021 and 2022. The most significant decline occurred between 2022 and 2023, with a decrease of roughly 44.3%. Conversely, the largest increase in NOPAT was observed between 2024 and 2025, showing a growth of approximately 147.2%. The increase from 2023 to 2024 was approximately 28.7%.
Relationship to Net Earnings
While both NOPAT and net earnings fluctuate, they do not move in perfect correlation. For example, net earnings decreased substantially from 2021 to 2022, while the NOPAT decrease was less pronounced. In 2023, net earnings increased significantly, but NOPAT remained comparatively low. This divergence suggests factors beyond core operational profitability are influencing net earnings, such as non-operating items or accounting adjustments.

The substantial recovery in NOPAT during 2024 and 2025 suggests successful implementation of operational improvements, cost controls, or favorable market conditions. Further investigation into the drivers behind these changes is warranted to understand the sustainability of the recent performance.


Cash Operating Taxes

Johnson & Johnson, cash operating taxes calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 28, 2025 Dec 29, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Provision for taxes on income
Less: Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
Add: Tax savings from interest expense, net of portion capitalized
Less: Tax imposed on investment income
Cash operating taxes

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).


The provision for taxes on income and cash operating taxes exhibited fluctuating behavior over the observed five-year period. A review of the figures reveals distinct patterns in both metrics, suggesting potential influences from changes in accounting practices, tax regulations, or operational performance.

Provision for Taxes on Income
The provision for taxes on income increased significantly from US$1,898 million in 2021 to US$3,784 million in 2022. This was followed by a substantial decrease to US$1,736 million in 2023. A moderate increase occurred in 2024, reaching US$2,621 million, before a considerable rise to US$5,777 million in 2025. This pattern indicates considerable volatility, potentially linked to one-time gains or losses, changes in tax rates, or alterations in deferred tax assets and liabilities.
Cash Operating Taxes
Cash operating taxes demonstrated an upward trend from US$4,010 million in 2021 to US$5,411 million in 2022, mirroring the increase observed in the provision for taxes on income. A further increase to US$5,700 million occurred in 2023, representing the highest value in the observed period. Subsequently, cash operating taxes decreased to US$4,692 million in 2024 and continued to decline to US$4,232 million in 2025. This suggests a potential decoupling from the provision for taxes on income in the later years, possibly due to timing differences in tax payments or changes in tax credits utilized.

The divergence between the provision for taxes on income and cash operating taxes is particularly noticeable in 2024 and 2025. While the provision for taxes on income increased substantially in 2025, cash operating taxes decreased. This discrepancy warrants further investigation to determine the underlying causes, such as changes in the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards, installment payments, or other tax planning strategies. The fluctuations observed in both metrics suggest a dynamic tax environment and the potential for significant impacts on future financial performance.

Relationship between Metrics
In 2021, 2022, and 2023, cash operating taxes were consistently higher than the provision for taxes on income. However, this relationship shifted in 2024 and 2025, with the provision for taxes on income exceeding cash operating taxes. This reversal could indicate a build-up of deferred tax liabilities or a change in the timing of tax payments relative to reported income.

Invested Capital

Johnson & Johnson, invested capital calculation (financing approach)

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
Dec 28, 2025 Dec 29, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Loans and notes payable
Long-term debt, excluding current portion
Operating lease liability1
Total reported debt & leases
Shareholders’ equity
Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities2
Allowances for doubtful accounts3
Equity equivalents4
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax5
Adjusted shareholders’ equity
Construction in progress6
Current marketable securities7
Invested capital

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

1 Addition of capitalized operating leases.

2 Elimination of deferred taxes from assets and liabilities. See details »

3 Addition of allowance for doubtful accounts receivable.

4 Addition of equity equivalents to shareholders’ equity.

5 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.

6 Subtraction of construction in progress.

7 Subtraction of current marketable securities.


The invested capital of the company exhibited a fluctuating pattern over the five-year period. Total reported debt & leases and shareholders’ equity, the components of invested capital, both demonstrated variability during this time. An initial increase in invested capital was followed by a period of decline and subsequent growth.

Invested Capital Trend
Invested capital increased from US$98,066 million in 2021 to US$113,818 million in 2022, representing a substantial rise. This was followed by a decrease to US$99,118 million in 2023. A further increase was observed in 2024, reaching US$106,513 million, before a significant jump to US$138,153 million in 2025. This suggests a period of expansion followed by consolidation and then renewed growth.
Debt & Leases
Total reported debt & leases increased from US$34,751 million in 2021 to US$40,959 million in 2022. A notable decrease occurred in 2023, with debt falling to US$30,432 million. Debt levels then rose again in 2024 to US$37,834 million, and continued to increase substantially in 2025, reaching US$49,333 million. This indicates a dynamic debt management strategy, potentially influenced by investment opportunities or financing needs.
Shareholders’ Equity
Shareholders’ equity showed a modest increase from US$74,023 million in 2021 to US$76,804 million in 2022. A decline was then recorded in 2023, with equity decreasing to US$68,774 million. Equity recovered somewhat in 2024, reaching US$71,490 million, and experienced a more significant increase in 2025, rising to US$81,544 million. These fluctuations may be attributable to profitability, dividend payouts, and share repurchase activities.

The substantial increase in invested capital in 2025 appears to be driven by a combination of increased debt and shareholders’ equity. The relative contributions of each component to the overall invested capital change over time, suggesting shifts in the company’s capital structure.


Cost of Capital

Johnson & Johnson, cost of capital calculations

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Borrowings3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-28).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Borrowings. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Borrowings3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-29).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Borrowings. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Borrowings3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Borrowings. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Borrowings3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Borrowings. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Borrowings3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Borrowings. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »


Economic Spread Ratio

Johnson & Johnson, economic spread ratio calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 28, 2025 Dec 29, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Invested capital2
Performance Ratio
Economic spread ratio3
Benchmarks
Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4
AbbVie Inc.
Amgen Inc.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
Danaher Corp.
Eli Lilly & Co.
Gilead Sciences Inc.
Merck & Co. Inc.
Pfizer Inc.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 Invested capital. See details »

3 2025 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × ÷ =

4 Click competitor name to see calculations.


The analysis of economic value creation reveals a period of significant volatility between 2021 and 2025, characterized by a severe contraction in value generation reaching a nadir in 2023, followed by a strong recovery phase.

Economic Spread Ratio Trends
A substantial decline in the economic spread ratio is observed from 10.36% in 2021 to a near-zero level of 0.04% in 2023. This indicates that during the 2023 fiscal year, the return on invested capital barely exceeded the cost of capital, representing a period of minimal value creation. However, a recovery ensued, with the ratio climbing to 1.89% in 2024 and reaching a period peak of 11.56% by 2025, signaling a significant expansion in the margin of economic value added.
Economic Profitability Fluctuations
Economic profit followed a trajectory closely mirroring the spread ratio. After starting at 10,162 million US$ in 2021, profit plummeted to 37 million US$ in 2023, representing a near-total erosion of economic profit. The subsequent rebound to 15,970 million US$ in 2025 reflects a robust return to profitability that exceeds the levels observed at the beginning of the analyzed period.
Invested Capital and Asset Efficiency
Invested capital exhibited fluctuations, starting at 98,066 million US$ in 2021 and reaching 138,153 million US$ by 2025. While an increase in invested capital in 2022 coincided with a drop in the spread ratio, the significant capital expansion in 2025 occurred alongside the highest recorded economic profit and spread ratio. This suggests that recent capital deployments have been highly efficient and accretive to the firm's economic value.

Economic Profit Margin

Johnson & Johnson, economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 28, 2025 Dec 29, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Sales to customers
Performance Ratio
Economic profit margin2
Benchmarks
Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3
AbbVie Inc.
Amgen Inc.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
Danaher Corp.
Eli Lilly & Co.
Gilead Sciences Inc.
Merck & Co. Inc.
Pfizer Inc.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 2025 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Sales to customers
= 100 × ÷ =

3 Click competitor name to see calculations.


The economic profit margin exhibited significant volatility between 2021 and 2025, characterized by a severe contraction followed by a robust recovery. While sales to customers remained relatively stable, fluctuating between approximately 85 billion and 95 billion US dollars, the economic profit experienced extreme variance, indicating that value creation was driven by factors beyond top-line revenue growth.

Economic Profit Margin Contraction
A precipitous decline in the economic profit margin is observed from 2021 to 2023. The margin fell from 10.84% in 2021 to 6.35% in 2022, reaching a nadir of 0.04% by December 31, 2023. This near-total erosion of economic profit occurred despite sales only decreasing by 10.3% between 2022 and 2023, suggesting a significant increase in the cost of capital or a sharp reduction in net operating profit after tax during that period.
Recovery and Peak Value Creation
A positive reversal is evident starting in 2024, with the economic profit margin rising to 2.26%. This recovery accelerated sharply in 2025, with the margin reaching a period high of 16.95%. The economic profit for 2025 reached 15,970 million US dollars, the highest absolute value in the analyzed timeframe, demonstrating a substantial improvement in capital efficiency.
Analysis of Sales Relative to Economic Profit
The relationship between sales and economic profit shows a notable divergence. Between 2021 and 2022, a slight increase in sales was accompanied by a decrease in economic profit. Conversely, the surge in 2025 shows that while sales returned to levels similar to those of 2021 and 2022, the economic profit generated per dollar of sales increased significantly, indicating a fundamental shift in the company's ability to generate returns above its cost of capital.