AEGON Lifts J&J Stake 11.3% and Sets FY2026 EPS Guidance
AEGON Asset Management UK increased its Johnson & Johnson stake by 11.3% to 647,271 shares valued at $119.82M, making it the firm's 13th largest holding. JNJ reported Q4 EPS of $2.46 meeting estimates on $24.56B revenue (+9.1% YoY) and set FY2026 EPS guidance of $11.43–11.63.
1. AEGON ASSET MANAGEMENT UK Plc Increases Johnson & Johnson Stake
AEGON ASSET MANAGEMENT UK Plc expanded its holding in Johnson & Johnson by 11.3% during the third quarter, acquiring an additional 65,526 shares to reach a total position of 647,271 shares. At the end of the reporting period, this stake represented 1.4% of AEGON’s total portfolio and ranked as the firm’s 13th largest holding, with a reported value of $119.82 million in company stock.
2. Broader Institutional Movements Highlight Confidence in JNJ
Several major investors also adjusted their Johnson & Johnson positions. Norges Bank initiated a new stake valued at approximately $4.88 billion. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position by over 15,000%, adding 7.37 million shares to reach a total holding of 7.42 million shares (worth $1.13 billion). Vanguard Group Inc. grew its allocation by 1.3% to 237.05 million shares (valued at $36.21 billion), while Geode Capital Management LLC added 1.23 million shares (a 2.1% increase) to hold 60.61 million shares ($9.23 billion). Legal & General Group Plc boosted its shares by 6.2% to 18.92 million (worth $2.89 billion). Collectively, hedge funds and institutional investors now control 69.55% of the company’s outstanding shares.
3. Analysts Lift Ratings and Price Objectives on JNJ
Equity research teams have recently updated their views on Johnson & Johnson. Scotiabank reaffirmed its "Outperform" rating. Leerink Partners raised its price objective from $201 to $232 and maintained a "Market Perform" stance. Wolfe Research increased its target from $225 to $240 and reiterated an "Outperform" rating. HSBC confirmed a "Buy" rating with a $240 price objective, and Weiss Ratings maintained its "Buy (b)" recommendation. Overall, one analyst rates the stock as a "Strong Buy," sixteen as "Buy" and nine as "Hold," resulting in an average consensus of "Moderate Buy" and a mean price target of $230.36.
4. Recent Earnings Met Expectations and Dividend Raised
In its fourth-quarter report, Johnson & Johnson delivered $2.46 in earnings per share, matching consensus estimates, on revenues of $24.56 billion, exceeding the $24.14 billion forecast and reflecting 9.1% year-over-year growth. The company reported a net margin of 28.46% and return on equity of 33.34%. For fiscal year 2026, J&J issued EPS guidance in a range of 11.430 to 11.630. The board also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.30 per share—equivalent to an annualized $5.20 payout and a 2.3% yield—with a payout ratio of 47.06%. The dividend will be paid on March 10, to shareholders of record as of February 24.