Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 7. Management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition
Organization and business segments
Description of the company and business segments
Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries (the Company) have approximately 131,900 employees worldwide engaged in the research and development, manufacture and sale of a broad range of products in the healthcare field. The Company conducts business in virtually all countries of the world with the primary focus on products related to human health and well-being.
The Company is organized into two business segments: Innovative Medicine and MedTech. The Innovative Medicine segment is focused on the following therapeutic areas, including Immunology, Infectious diseases, Neuroscience, Oncology, Pulmonary Hypertension, and Cardiovascular and Metabolic diseases. Products in this segment are distributed directly to retailers, wholesalers, distributors, hospitals and healthcare professionals for prescription use. The MedTech segment includes a broad portfolio of products used in the Orthopaedic, Surgery, Interventional Solutions and Vision fields. These products are distributed to wholesalers, hospitals and retailers, and used principally in the professional fields by physicians, nurses, hospitals, eye care professionals and clinics.
The Executive Committee of Johnson & Johnson is the principal management group responsible for the strategic operations and allocation of the resources of the Company. This Committee oversees and coordinates the activities of the Innovative Medicine and MedTech business segments.
In all of its product lines, the Company competes with other companies both locally and globally, throughout the world. Competition exists in all product lines without regard to the number and size of the competing companies involved. Competition in research, involving the development and the improvement of new and existing products and processes, is particularly significant. The development of new and innovative products, as well as protecting the underlying intellectual property of the Company's product portfolio, is important to the Company’s success in all areas of its business. The competitive environment requires substantial investments in continuing research.
Management’s objectives
With “Our Credo” as the foundation, the Company’s purpose is to blend heart, science and ingenuity to profoundly impact health for humanity. The Company, believes health is everything. The Company's strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through the Company's expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, the Company is uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity.
New products introduced within the past five years accounted for approximately 25% of 2023 sales. In 2023, $15.1 billion was invested in research and development reflecting management’s commitment to create life-enhancing innovations and to create value through partnerships that will profoundly impact of health for humanity.
A critical driver of the Company’s success is the diversity of its 131,900 employees worldwide. Employees are empowered and inspired to lead with Our Credo and purpose as guides. This allows every employee to use the Company’s reach and size to advance the Company’s purpose, and to also lead with agility and urgency. Leveraging the extensive resources across the enterprise enables the Company to innovate and execute with excellence. This ensures the Company can remain focused on addressing the unmet needs of society every day and invest for an enduring impact, ultimately delivering value to its patients, consumers and healthcare professionals, employees, communities and shareholders.
22
Research &
development
Acquisitions*
(net of cash acquired)
*Includes acquisitions of in process research and development assets that were not accounted for as a business combination
Dividends paid
per share
Results of operations
Analysis of consolidated sales
For discussion on results of operations and financial condition pertaining to the fiscal years 2022 and 2021 see the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2023, Item 7. Management's discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition. Prior periods disclosed herein were recast to reflect the continuing operations of the Company.
In 2023, worldwide sales increased 6.5% to $85.2 billion as compared to an increase of 1.6% in 2022. These sales changes consisted of the following:
Sales increase/(decrease) due to: 2023 2022
Volume 6.8 % 8.3 %
Price 0.6 (1.8)
Currency (0.9) (4.9)
Total 6.5 % 1.6 %
The net impact of acquisitions and divestitures on the worldwide sales growth was a positive impact of 1.5% in 2023 and no impact in 2022.
Sales by U.S. companies were $46.4 billion in 2023 and $42.0 billion in 2022. This represents increases of 10.6% in 2023 and 3.3% in 2022. Sales by international companies were $38.7 billion in 2023 and $38.0 billion in 2022. This represents an increase of 1.9% in 2023 and a decrease of 0.2% in 2022.
The five-year compound annual growth rates for worldwide, U.S. and international sales were 4.7%, 5.2% and 4.1%, respectively. The ten-year compound annual growth rates for worldwide, U.S. and international sales were 4.2%, 5.7% and 2.6%, respectively.
In 2023, sales by companies in Europe experienced a decline of 1.2% as compared to the prior year, which included an operational decline of 2.2% and a positive currency impact of 1.0%. In fiscal 2023, the net impact of the Covid-19 Vaccine and the loss of exclusivity of Zytiga on the European regions change in operational sales was a negative 9.8%. Sales by companies in the Western Hemisphere, excluding the U.S., achieved growth of 10.7% as compared to the prior year, which included operational growth of 15.8%, and a negative currency impact of 5.1%. Sales by companies in the Asia-Pacific, Africa region achieved growth of 3.9% as compared to the prior year, including operational growth of 9.5% and a negative currency impact of 5.6%.
2023 Annual Report
23
In 2023, the Company utilized three wholesalers distributing products for both segments that represented approximately 18.2%, 15.1% and 14.2% of the total consolidated revenues. In 2022, the Company had three wholesalers distributing products for both segments that represented approximately 18.9%, 15.0% and 13.8% of the total consolidated revenues.
2023 Sales by geographic region (in billions)
2023 Sales by segment (in billions)
Note: values may have been rounded
Analysis of sales by business segments
Innovative Medicine segment (1)
Innovative Medicine segment sales in 2023 were $54.8 billion, an increase of 4.2% from 2022, which included operational growth of 4.8% and a negative currency impact of 0.6%. U.S. sales were $31.2 billion, an increase of 9.0%. International sales were $23.6 billion, a decrease of 1.5%, which included an operational decline of 0.2% and a negative currency impact of 1.3%. In 2023, acquisitions and divestitures had a net negative impact of 0.1% on the operational sales growth of the worldwide Innovative Medicine segment.
24
Major Innovative Medicine therapeutic area sales:
(Dollars in Millions) 2023 2022 Total
Change Operations
Change Currency
Change
Total Immunology $18,052 $16,935 6.6 % 7.1 % (0.5) %
REMICADE 1,839 2,343 (21.5) (20.7) (0.8)
SIMPONI/SIMPONI ARIA 2,197 2,184 0.6 2.4 (1.8)
STELARA 10,858 9,723 11.7 11.9 (0.2)
TREMFYA 3,147 2,668 17.9 18.3 (0.4)
Other Immunology 11 17 (33.8) (33.8) —
Total Infectious Diseases 4,418 5,449 (18.9) (19.8) 0.9
COVID-19 VACCINE 1,117 2,179 (48.8) (50.1) 1.3
EDURANT/rilpivirine 1,150 1,008 14.1 11.5 2.6
PREZISTA/ PREZCOBIX/REZOLSTA/SYMTUZA 1,854 1,943 (4.6) (4.9) 0.3
Other Infectious Diseases 297 318 (6.7) (3.6) (3.1)
Total Neuroscience 7,140 6,893 3.6 5.4 (1.8)
CONCERTA/methylphenidate 783 644 21.6 24.9 (3.3)
INVEGA SUSTENNA/XEPLION/INVEGA TRINZA/TREVICTA 4,115 4,140 (0.6) 0.0 (0.6)
SPRAVATO 689 374 84.1 84.0 0.1
Other Neuroscience (2)
1,553 1,734 (10.4) (5.9) (4.5)
Total Oncology 17,661 15,983 10.5 11.2 (0.7)
CARVYKTI 500 133 * * *
DARZALEX 9,744 7,977 22.2 22.9 (0.7)
ERLEADA 2,387 1,881 26.9 27.5 (0.6)
IMBRUVICA 3,264 3,784 (13.7) (13.2) (0.5)
ZYTIGA /abiraterone acetate 887 1,770 (49.9) (48.4) (1.5)
Other Oncology 879 438 * * *
Total Pulmonary Hypertension 3,815 3,417 11.6 12.9 (1.3)
OPSUMIT 1,973 1,783 10.6 11.6 (1.0)
UPTRAVI 1,582 1,322 19.7 20.4 (0.7)
Other Pulmonary Hypertension 260 313 (16.7) (12.0) (4.7)
Total Cardiovascular / Metabolism / Other 3,671 3,887 (5.5) (5.5) 0.0
XARELTO 2,365 2,473 (4.4) (4.4) —
Other (3)
1,306 1,414 (7.6) (7.4) (0.2)
Total Innovative Medicine Sales $54,759 52,563 4.2 % 4.8 % (0.6) %
* Percentage greater than 100% or not meaningful
(1) Previously referred to as Pharmaceutical
(2) Inclusive of RISPERDAL CONSTA which was previously disclosed separately
(3) Inclusive of INVOKANA which was previously disclosed separately
2023 Annual Report
25
Immunology products achieved sales of $18.1 billion in 2023, representing an increase of 6.6% as compared to the prior year. Increased sales of STELARA (ustekinumab) were primarily driven by patient mix, market growth, and continued strength in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Growth of TREMFYA (guselkumab) was due to market growth, continued strength in PsO/PsA (Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis) and patient mix. Additionally, SIMPONI/SIMPONI ARIA growth was driven by growth outside the U.S. Lower sales of REMICADE (infliximab) were due to biosimilar competition.
Biosimilar versions of REMICADE have been introduced in the United States and certain markets outside the United States and additional competitors continue to enter the market. Continued infliximab biosimilar competition will result in a further reduction in sales of REMICADE.
Sales of STELARA in the United States were approximately $7.0 billion in fiscal 2023. Third parties have filed abbreviated Biologics License Applications with the FDA seeking approval to market biosimilar versions of STELARA. The Company has settled certain litigation under the Biosimilar Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009. As a result of these settlements and other agreements with separate third parties, the Company does not anticipate the launch of a biosimilar version of STELARA until January 1, 2025 in the United States.
Infectious disease products sales were $4.4 billion in 2023, a decline of 18.9% as compared to the prior year primarily driven by a decline in COVID-19 vaccine revenue and loss of exclusivity of PREZISTA .
Neuroscience products sales were $7.1 billion in 2023, representing an increase of 3.6% as compared to the prior year. The growth of SPRAVATO (esketamine) was driven by ongoing launches as well as increased physician confidence and patient demand. Growth was partially offset by declines in RISPERDAL/RISPERDAL CONSTA and the paliperidone long-acting injectables outside the U.S. due to the XEPLION loss of exclusivity in the European Union.
Oncology products achieved sales of $17.7 billion in 2023, representing an increase of 10.5% as compared to the prior year. Sales of DARZALEX (daratumumab) were driven by continued share gains in all regions and market growth. Growth of ERLEADA (apalutamide) was due to continued share gains and market growth in Metastatic Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer. Sales of CARVYKTI (ciltacabtagene autoleucel) were driven by the ongoing launch, share gains and capacity improvement. Additionally, sales from the launch of TECVAYLI (teclistamab-cqyv) and TALVEY (talquetamab-tgvs), included in Other Oncology, contributed to the growth. Growth was partially offset by ZYTIGA (abiraterone acetate) due to loss of exclusivity and IMBRUVICA (ibrutinib) due to global competitive pressures.
Pulmonary Hypertension products sales were $3.8 billion, representing an increase of 11.6% as compared to the prior year. Sales growth was due to favorable patient mix, share gains and market growth from UPTRAVI (selexipag) and OPSUMIT (macitentan) partially offset by declines in Other Pulmonary Hypertension.
Cardiovascular/Metabolism/Other products sales were $3.7 billion, a decline of 5.5% as compared to the prior year. The decline of XARELTO (rivaroxaban) sales was primarily driven by unfavorable patient mix and access changes.
The Company maintains a policy that no end customer will be permitted direct delivery of product to a location other than the billing location. This policy impacts contract pharmacy transactions involving non-grantee 340B covered entities for most of the Company’s drugs, subject to multiple exceptions. Both grantee and non-grantee covered entities can maintain certain contract pharmacy arrangements under policy exceptions. The Company has been and will continue to offer 340B discounts to covered entities on all of its covered outpatient drugs, and it believes its policy will improve its ability to identify inappropriate duplicate discounts and diversion prohibited by the 340B statute. The 340B Drug Pricing Program is a U.S. federal government program requiring drug manufacturers to provide significant discounts on covered outpatient drugs to covered entities. This policy had discount implications which positively impacted sales to customers in 2023.
26
During 2023, the Company advanced its pipeline with several regulatory submissions and approvals for new drugs and additional indications for existing drugs as follows:
Product Name
(Chemical Name) Indication US
Approval EU
Approval US
Filing EU
Filing
AKEEGA (Niraparib and Abiraterone Acetate) First-And-Only Dual Action Tablet for the Treatment of Patients with BRCA-Positive Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (MAGNITUDE) • •
BALVERSA (erdafitinib) Treatment of Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma and Selected Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Gene Alterations (THOR) • •
CARVYKTI (ciltacabtagene autoleucel) Treatment for Relapsed and Refactor multiple myeloma with 1-3 PL (CARTITUDE-4) • •
EDURANT (rilpivirine) Treatment for pediatric patients (2-12 years old) with HIV • •
ERLEADA
(apalutamide) Tablet reduction • •
OPSUMIT (macitentan) Treatment for pediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension •
OPSYNVI (mecitentan/tadalafil STCT) Treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension • •
RYBREVANT (amivantamab) In Combination with Chemotherapy for the First-Line Treatment of Adult Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Activating EGFR Exon 20 Insertion Mutations (PAPILLON) • •
RYBREVANT / lazertinib Treatment for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer 2L (MARIPOSA) • •
RYBREVANT / lazertinib Treatment for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer 2L (MARIPOSA-2) • •
TECVAYLI (teclistamab) Treatment of Patients with Relapsed Refractory Multiple Myeloma Biweekly Dosing •
TALVEY (talquetamab) Treatment of Patients with Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma • •
2023 Annual Report
27
MedTech segment
The MedTech segment sales in 2023 were $30.4 billion, an increase of 10.8% from 2022, which included operational growth of 12.4% and a negative currency impact of 1.6%. U.S. sales were $15.3 billion, an increase of 14.2% as compared to the prior year. International sales were $15.1 billion, an increase of 7.7% as compared to the prior year, which included operational growth of 10.6% and a negative currency impact of 2.9%. In 2023, the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures on the MedTech segment worldwide operational sales growth was a positive 4.6% primarily related to the Abiomed acquisition.
Major MedTech franchise sales:
(Dollars in Millions) 2023 2022 Total
Change Operations
Change Currency
Change
Surgery $10,037 9,690 3.6 % 5.5 % (1.9) %
Advanced 4,671 4,569 2.2 4.2 (2.0)
General 5,366 5,121 4.8 6.8 (2.0)
Orthopaedics 8,942 8,587 4.1 4.6 (0.5)
Hips 1,560 1,514 3.0 3.5 (0.5)
Knees 1,456 1,359 7.1 7.5 (0.4)
Trauma 2,979 2,871 3.8 4.0 (0.2)
Spine, Sports & Other 2,947 2,843 3.7 4.5 (0.8)
Interventional Solutions 6,350 4,300 47.7 49.8 (2.1)
Electrophysiology 4,688 3,937 19.1 21.1 (2.0)
Abiomed 1,306 31 * * *
Other Interventional Solutions 356 332 7.1 9.9 (2.8)
Vision 5,072 4,849 4.6 6.6 (2.0)
Contact Lenses/Other 3,702 3,543 4.5 6.9 (2.4)
Surgical 1,370 1,306 4.9 5.8 (0.9)
Total MedTech Sales $30,400 27,427 10.8 % 12.4 % (1.6) %
* Percentage greater than 100% or not meaningful
The Surgery franchise sales were $10.0 billion in 2023, representing an increase of 3.6% from 2022. The growth in Advanced Surgery was primarily driven by Biosurgery global procedure growth and strength of the portfolio as well as uptake of new products in Endocutters and Energy. The growth was partially offset by competitive pressures and volume-based procurement impacts in Endocutters and Energy. The growth in General Surgery was primarily driven by increased procedures coupled with technology penetration and benefits from the differentiated Wound Closure portfolio.
The Orthopaedics franchise sales were $8.9 billion in 2023, representing an increase of 4.1% from 2022. The growth in hips reflects global procedure growth and continued strength of the portfolio partially offset by volume-based procurement impacts and Russia sanctions. The growth in knees was primarily driven by procedures, benefits from recent product additions to the ATTUNE portfolio and pull through related to the VELYS Robotic assisted solution. This was partially offset by stocking dynamics, primarily outside the U.S. The growth in Trauma was driven by global procedures and the adoption of recently launched products. This was partially offset by volume-based procurement impacts. The growth in Spine, Sports & Other was primarily driven by Digital Solutions, Shoulders, Sports and Craniomaxillofacial products partially offset by Russia sanctions and supply constraints, primarily outside the U.S.
The Interventional Solutions franchise achieved sales of $6.4 billion in 2023, representing an increase of 47.7% from 2022, which includes sales from Abiomed acquired on December 22, 2022. Electrophysiology grew by double digits due to global procedure growth, new product performance and commercial execution. This was partially offset by the impacts of volume-based procurement in China. Abiomed sales reflect the strength of all commercialized regions and continued adoption of Impella 5.5 and Impella RP.
The Vision franchise achieved sales of $5.1 billion in 2023, representing an increase of 4.6% from 2022. The Contact Lenses/Other growth was primarily driven by the continued strong performance in the ACUVUE OASYS 1-Day family including recent launches and commercial execution. This was partially offset by impacts of U.S. stocking dynamics, Russia sanctions, impacts from strategic portfolio decisions and supply challenges. The Surgical operational growth was primarily driven by cataract procedure growth, continued strength of recent innovations and reduction of prior year stocking outside the U.S. This was partially offset by softer Refractive and premium IOL markets and Russia sanctions.
28
Analysis of consolidated earnings before provision for taxes on income
Consolidated earnings before provision for taxes on income was $15.1 billion and $19.4 billion for the years 2023 and 2022, respectively. As a percent to sales, consolidated earnings before provision for taxes on income was 17.7% and 24.2%, in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Earnings before provision for taxes
(Dollars in billions. Percentages in chart are as a percent to total sales)
Cost of products sold and selling, marketing and administrative expenses:
Cost of products sold
Selling, marketing & administrative
(Dollars in billions. Percentages in chart are as a percent to total sales)
Cost of products sold:
Cost of products sold increased as a percent to sales driven by:
• Commodity inflation, unfavorable product mix, restructuring related excess inventory costs and Abiomed amortization in the MedTech business
partially offset by
• Favorable patient mix and lower one-time COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing related exit costs in 2023 in the Innovative Medicine business
The intangible asset amortization expense included in cost of products sold was $4.5 billion and $3.9 billion for the fiscal years 2023 and 2022, respectively.
2023 Annual Report
29
Selling, Marketing and Administrative expense:
Selling, Marketing and Administrative Expenses decreased slightly as a percent to sales driven by:
• Leveraging in Selling and Marketing expenses both the Innovative Medicine and MedTech businesses
partially offset by
• An increase in administrative costs
Research and Development Expense:
Research and development expense by segment of business was as follows:
2023 2022
(Dollars in Millions) Amount % of Sales* Amount % of Sales*
Innovative Medicine $11,963 21.8 % $11,642 22.1 %
MedTech 3,122 10.3 2,493 9.1
Total research and development expense $15,085 17.7 % $14,135 17.7 %
Percent increase/(decrease) over the prior year 6.7 % (1.0 %)
*As a percent to segment sales
Research and development activities represent a significant part of the Company's business. These expenditures relate to the processes of discovering, testing and developing new products, upfront payments and developmental milestones, improving existing products, as well as ensuring product efficacy and regulatory compliance prior to launch. The Company remains committed to investing in research and development with the aim of delivering high quality and innovative products.
Research and Development was flat as a percent to sales primarily driven by:
• Higher milestone payments in the Innovative Medicine business
• Acquired in-process research & development asset from the Laminar acquisition in the MedTech business in the fiscal year 2023
offset by
• Portfolio prioritization in the Innovative Medicine business
In-Process Research and Development Impairments (IPR&D): In the fiscal year 2023, the Company recorded a charge of approximately $0.3 billion which included $0.2 billion related to market dynamics associated with a non-strategic asset (M710) acquired as part of the acquisition of Momenta Pharmaceuticals in 2020, In the fiscal year 2022, the Company recorded an intangible asset impairment charge of approximately $0.8 billion related to an in-process research and development asset, bermekimab (JnJ-77474462), an investigational drug for the treatment of Atopic Dermatitis (AD) and Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS). Additional information regarding efficacy of the AD indication and HS indication became available which led the Company to the decision to terminate the development of bermekimab for both AD and HS. The Company acquired all rights to bermekimab from XBiotech, Inc. in the fiscal year 2020.
Other (Income) Expense, Net: Other (income) expense, net is the account where the Company records gains and losses related to the sale and write-down of certain investments in equity securities held by Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JJDC, Inc. (JJDC), changes in the fair value of securities, investment (income)/loss related to employee benefit programs, gains and losses on divestitures, certain transactional currency gains and losses, acquisition and divestiture related costs, litigation accruals and settlements, as well as royalty income.
30
Other (income) expense, net for the fiscal year 2023 was unfavorable by $5.8 billion as compared to the prior year primarily due to the following:
(Dollars in Billions)(Income)/Expense 2023 2022 Change
Litigation related (1)
$6.9 0.9 6.0
Changes in the fair value of securities (2)
0.6 0.7 (0.1)
COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing exit related costs 0.4 0.7 (0.3)
Acquisition, Integration and Divestiture related (3)
0.3 0.2 0.1
Employee benefit plan related (1.4) (1.2) (0.2)
Other (0.2) (0.5) 0.3
Total Other (Income) Expense, Net $6.6 0.8 5.8
(1) 2023 was primarily related to the approximately $7.0 billion charge for talc (See Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more details) and favorable intellectual property related litigation settlements of approximately $0.3 billion. 2022 was primarily related to pelvic mesh.
(2) The fiscal 2023 includes $0.4 billion related to the unfavorable change in the fair value of the remaining stake in Kenvue and $0.4 billion related to the partial impairment of Idorsia convertible debt and the change in the fair value of the Idorsia equity securities held.
(3) 2023 primarily related to the impairment of Ponvory and one-time integration costs related to the acquisition of Abiomed. 2022 was primarily costs related to the acquisition of Abiomed.
Interest (Income) Expense: Interest income in the fiscal year 2023 was $1.3 billion as compared to interest income of $0.5 billion in the fiscal year 2022 primarily due to higher rates of interest earned on cash balances. Interest expense in the fiscal year 2023 was $0.8 billion as compared to interest expense of $0.3 billion in the fiscal year 2022 primarily due to higher interest rates on debt balances. Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $22.9 billion at the end of 2023, and averaged $22.6 billion as compared to the cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities total of $22.3 billion and $26.9 billion average balance in 2022. The total debt balance at the end of 2023 was $29.3 billion with an average debt balance of $34.5 billion as compared to $39.6 billion at the end of 2022 and an average debt balance of $36.7 billion. The lower average cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities was primarily due to the acquisition of Abiomed in late December of 2022. The lower average debt balance was primarily due to the repayment of commercial paper.
Income before tax by segment
Income (loss) before tax by segment of business were as follows:
Income Before Tax Segment Sales Percent of Segment Sales
(Dollars in Millions) 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022
Innovative Medicine $18,246 15,647 54,759 52,563 33.3 % 29.8
MedTech 4,669 4,447 30,400 27,427 15.4 16.2
Segment earnings before tax (1)
22,915 20,094 85,159 79,990 26.9 25.1
Less: Expenses not allocated to segments (2)
7,853 735
Worldwide income before tax $15,062 19,359 85,159 79,990 17.7 % 24.2
(1) See Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more details.
(2) Amounts not allocated to segments include interest (income) expense and general corporate (income) expense. Fiscal 2023 includes an approximately $7.0 billion charge related to talc matters and the approximately $0.4 billion unfavorable change in the fair value of the retained stake in Kenvue.
2023 Annual Report
31
Innovative Medicine segment:
In 2023, the Innovative Medicine segment income before tax as a percent to sales was 33.3% versus 29.8% in 2022. The increase in the income before tax as a percent of sales was primarily driven by the following:
• Lower one-time COVID-19 Vaccine related exit costs of $0.7 billion in 2023 versus $1.5 billion in 2022
• Lower In-process research & development impairments of $0.2 billion in 2023 versus $0.8 billion in 2022
• Unfavorable changes in the fair value of securities in 2023 of $0.4 billion as compared to $0.7 billion in 2022
• Lower litigation related expense of $0.2 billion
• Leveraging in selling and marketing expenses
• R&D Portfolio prioritization
partially offset by
• Restructuring charges of $0.5 billion in 2023 versus $0.1 billion in 2022
• Impairment of Ponvory in 2023
• Higher milestone payments in 2023
MedTech segment:
In 2023, the MedTech segment income before tax as a percent to sales was 15.4% versus 16.2% in 2022. The decrease in the income before tax as a percent to sales was primarily driven by the following:
• Higher amortization expense of $0.5 billion in 2023 related to Abiomed
• Expense of $0.4 billion for an acquired in process research and development asset from the Laminar acquisition in 2023
• Commodity inflation in 2023
partially offset by
• Income from litigation settlements of $0.1 billion in 2023 versus expense of $0.6 billion in 2022
• Lower integration/acquisition costs related to Abiomed of $0.2 billion in 2023 versus $0.3 billion in 2022
• Leveraging in selling and marketing expenses in 2023
Restructuring: In the fiscal year 2023, the Company completed a prioritization of its research and development (R&D) investment within the Innovative Medicine segment to focus on the most promising medicines with the greatest benefit to patients. This resulted in the exit of certain programs within therapeutic areas. The R&D program exits are primarily in infectious diseases and vaccines including the discontinuation of its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) adult vaccine program, hepatitis and HIV development. The pre-tax restructuring charge of approximately $0.5 billion in the fiscal year 2023, of which $449 million was recorded in Restructuring and $30 million was recorded in Cost of products sold on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings, included the termination of partnered and non-partnered program costs and asset impairments.
In the fiscal year 2023, the Company initiated a restructuring program of its Orthopaedics franchise within the MedTech segment to streamline operations by exiting certain markets, product lines and distribution network arrangements. The pre-tax restructuring expense of $0.3 billion in the fiscal year 2023, of which $40 million was recorded in Restructuring and $279 million was recorded in Cost of products sold on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings, primarily included inventory and instrument charges related to market and product exits.
In 2022, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $0.4 billion related to a restructuring program of its Global Supply Chain. The Global Supply Chain program was announced in the second quarter of 2018 and was completed in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2022.
See Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details related to the restructuring programs.
32
Provision for Taxes on Income: The worldwide effective income tax rate from continuing operations was 11.5% in 2023 and 15.4% in 2022.
On December 15, 2022, the European Union (EU) Member States formally adopted the EU’s Pillar Two Directive, which generally provides for a minimum effective tax rate of 15%, as established by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Pillar Two Framework that was supported by over 130 countries worldwide. As of December 31, 2023, several EU and non-EU countries have enacted Pillar 2 legislation with an initial effective date of January 1, 2024, with other aspects of the law effective in 2025 or later. The Company is estimating that as result of this legislation the 2024 effective tax rate will increase by approximately 1.5% or 150 basis points compared to fiscal 2023. Further legislation, guidance and regulations that may be issued in fiscal 2024, as well as other business events, may impact this estimate.
For discussion related to the fiscal 2023 provision for taxes refer to Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Liquidity and capital resources
Liquidity & cash flows
Cash and cash equivalents were $21.9 billion at the end of 2023 as compared to $14.1 billion at the end of 2022.
The primary sources and uses of cash that contributed to the $7.8 billion increase were:
(Dollars in billions)
$14.1 Q4 2022 Cash and cash equivalents balance
22.8 cash generated from operating activities
0.9 net cash from investing activities
(15.8) net cash used by financing activities
(0.1) effect of exchange rate and rounding
$21.9 Q4 2023 Cash and cash equivalents balance
In addition, the Company had $1.1 billion in marketable securities at the end of fiscal year 2023 and $9.4 billion at the end of fiscal year 2022. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details on cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities.
Cash flow from operations of $22.8 billion was the result of:
(Dollars In billions)
$35.2 Net Earnings
(14.9) gain on the Kenvue separation, net gain on sale of assets/businesses and the deferred tax provision partially offset by non-cash expenses and other adjustments primarily for depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, asset write-downs and charge for purchase of in process research and development assets
5.6 an increase in current and non-current liabilities
(3.5) an increase in other current and non-current assets
2.3 an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(1.9) an increase in accounts receivable and inventories
$22.8 Cash flow from operations
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Cash flow from investing activities of $0.9 billion was primarily due to:
(Dollars in billions)
$(4.5) additions to property, plant and equipment
0.4 proceeds from the disposal of assets/businesses, net
(0.5) purchases of in-process research and development assets
8.5 net sales of investments
(3.0) credit support agreements activity, net
$0.9 Net cash from investing activities
Cash flow used for financing activities of $15.8 billion was primarily due to:
(Dollars in billions)
$(11.8) dividends to shareholders
(5.1) repurchase of common stock
(10.8) net repayment from short and long term debt
1.1 proceeds from stock options exercised/employee withholding tax on stock awards, net
(0.2) Credit support agreements activity, net
8.0 Proceeds of short and long-term debt, net of issuance cost, related to the debt that transferred to Kenvue at separation
4.2 proceeds from Kenvue initial public offering
(1.1) Cash transferred to Kenvue at separation
(0.1) other and rounding
$(15.8) Net cash used for financing activities
As of December 31, 2023, the Company's notes payable and long-term debt was in excess of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. As of December 31, 2023, the net debt position was $6.4 billion as compared to the prior year of $17.4 billion. The debt balance at the end of 2023 was $29.3 billion as compared to $39.6 billion in 2022. Considering recent market conditions, the Company has re-evaluated its operating cash flows and liquidity profile and does not foresee any significant incremental risk. The Company anticipates that operating cash flows, the ability to raise funds from external sources, borrowing capacity from existing committed credit facilities and access to the commercial paper markets will continue to provide sufficient resources to fund operating needs, including the Company's remaining balance to be paid on the agreement to settle opioid litigation for approximately $2.1 billion and the establishment of the approximately $9 billion reserve for talc matters (See Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details). In addition, the Company monitors the global capital markets on an ongoing basis and from time to time may raise capital when market conditions are favorable.
On May 8, 2023, Kenvue, completed an initial public offering (the IPO) resulting in the issuance of 198,734,444 shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Kenvue Common Stock), at an initial public offering of $22.00 per share for net proceeds of $4.2 billion. The excess of the net proceeds from the IPO over the net book value of the Johnson & Johnson divested interest was $2.5 billion and was recorded to additional paid-in capital. As of the closing of the IPO, Johnson & Johnson owned approximately 89.6% of the total outstanding shares of Kenvue Common Stock and at July 2, 2023, the non-controlling interest of $1.3 billion associated with Kenvue was reflected in equity attributable to non-controlling interests in the consolidated balance sheet.
On August 23, 2023, Johnson & Johnson completed the disposition of an additional 80.1% ownership of Kenvue Common Stock through an exchange offer, which resulted in Johnson & Johnson acquiring 190,955,436 shares of the Company’s common stock in exchange for 1,533,830,450 shares of Kenvue Common Stock. The $31.4 billion of Johnson & Johnson common stock received in the exchange offer is recorded in Treasury stock. Following the exchange offer, the Company owns 9.5% of the total outstanding shares of Kenvue Common Stock that was recorded in other assets within continuing operations at the fair market value of $4.3 billion as of August 23, 2023 and $3.9 billion as of December 31, 2023.
Johnson & Johnson divested net assets of $11.6 billion as of August 23, 2023, and the accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to the Consumer Health business at that date was $4.3 billion. Additionally, at the date of the exchange offer,
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Johnson & Johnson decreased the non-controlling interest by $1.2 billion to record the deconsolidation of Kenvue. This resulted in a gain on the exchange offer of $21.0 billion that was recorded in Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes in the consolidated statements of earnings for the fiscal third quarter of 2023. This one-time gain includes a gain of $2.8 billion on the Kenvue Common Stock retained by Johnson & Johnson. The gain on the exchange offer qualifies as a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
On September 14, 2022, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program, authorizing the Company to purchase up to $5.0 billion of the Company’s Common Stock. In the fiscal year 2022, approximately $2.5 billion was repurchased under the program. In the fiscal year 2023, $2.5 billion has been repurchased and the repurchase program was completed.
The following table summarizes the Company’s material contractual obligations and their aggregate maturities as of December 31, 2023: To satisfy these obligations, the Company intends to use cash from operations.
(Dollars in Millions) Tax Legislation (TCJA) Debt Obligations Interest on
Debt Obligations Total
2024 $2,029 1,469 843 4,341
2025 2,536 1,700 789 5,025
2026 — 1,997 744 2,741
2027 — 2,320 736 3,056
2028 — 2,325 691 3,016
After 2028 — 17,539 8,706 26,245
Total $4,565 27,350 12,509 44,424
For tax matters, see Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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Financing and market risk
The Company uses financial instruments to manage the impact of foreign exchange rate changes on cash flows. Accordingly, the Company enters into forward foreign exchange contracts to protect the value of certain foreign currency assets and liabilities and to hedge future foreign currency transactions primarily related to product costs. Gains or losses on these contracts are offset by the gains or losses on the underlying transactions. A 10% appreciation of the U.S. Dollar from the December 31, 2023 market rates would increase the unrealized value of the Company’s forward contracts by $0.1 billion. Conversely, a 10% depreciation of the U.S. Dollar from the December 31, 2023 market rates would decrease the unrealized value of the Company’s forward contracts by $0.1 billion. In either scenario, the gain or loss on the forward contract would be offset by the gain or loss on the underlying transaction, and therefore, would have no impact on future anticipated earnings and cash flows.
The Company hedges the exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, and the effect on certain assets and liabilities in foreign currency, by entering into currency swap contracts. A 1% change in the spread between U.S. and foreign interest rates on the Company’s interest rate sensitive financial instruments would either increase or decrease the unrealized value of the Company’s swap contracts by approximately $1.6 billion. In either scenario, at maturity, the gain or loss on the swap contract would be offset by the gain or loss on the underlying transaction, and therefore, would have no impact on future anticipated cash flows.
The Company does not enter into financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Further, the Company has a policy of only entering into contracts with parties that have at least an investment grade credit rating. The counterparties to these contracts are major financial institutions and there is no significant concentration of exposure with any one counterparty. Management believes the risk of loss is remote. The Company entered into credit support agreements (CSA) with certain derivative counterparties establishing collateral thresholds based on respective credit ratings and netting agreements. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details on credit support agreements.
The Company invests in both fixed rate and floating rate interest earning securities which carry a degree of interest rate risk. The fair market value of fixed rate securities may be adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates, while floating rate securities may produce less income than predicted if interest rates fall. A 1% (100 basis points) change in spread on the Company’s interest rate sensitive investments would either increase or decrease the unrealized value of cash equivalents and current marketable securities by less than $0.8 billion.
The Company has access to substantial sources of funds at numerous banks worldwide. In September 2023, the Company secured a new 364-day Credit Facility of $10 billion, which expires on September 5, 2024. The Company early terminated the additional 364-day revolving Credit Facility of $10 billion, which had an expiration of November 21, 2023. Interest charged on borrowings under the credit line agreement is based on either Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Reference Rate or other applicable market rate as allowed plus applicable margins. Commitment fees under the agreement are not material.
Total borrowings at the end of 2023 and 2022 were $29.3 billion and $39.6 billion, respectively. The decrease in the debt balance was due to the repayment of commercial paper. In 2023, net debt (cash and current marketable securities, net of debt) was $6.4 billion compared to net debt of $17.4 billion in 2022. Total debt represented 30.0% of total capital (shareholders’ equity and total debt) in 2023 and 34.0% of total capital in 2022. Shareholders’ equity per share at the end of 2023 was $28.57 compared to $29.39 at year-end 2022.
A summary of borrowings can be found in Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Dividends
The Company increased its dividend in 2023 for the 61st consecutive year. Cash dividends paid were $4.70 per share in 2023 and $4.45 per share in 2022.
On January 2, 2024, the Board of Directors declared a regular cash dividend of $1.19 per share, payable on March 5, 2024 to shareholders of record as of February 20, 2024.
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Other information
Critical accounting policies and estimates
Management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition are based on the Company’s consolidated financial statements that have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (GAAP). The preparation of these financial statements requires that management make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported for revenues, expenses, assets, liabilities and other related disclosures. Actual results may or may not differ from these estimates. The Company believes that the understanding of certain key accounting policies and estimates are essential in achieving more insight into the Company’s operating results and financial condition. These key accounting policies include revenue recognition, income taxes, legal and self-insurance contingencies, valuation of long-lived assets, assumptions used to determine the amounts recorded for pensions and other employee benefit plans and accounting for stock based awards.
Revenue Recognition: The Company recognizes revenue from product sales when obligations under the terms of a contract with the customer are satisfied; generally, this occurs with the transfer of control of the goods to customers. The Company's global payment terms are typically between 30 to 90 days. Provisions for certain rebates, sales incentives, trade promotions, coupons, product returns, discounts to customers and governmental clawback provisions are accounted for as variable consideration and recorded as a reduction in sales.
Product discounts granted are based on the terms of arrangements with direct, indirect and other market participants, as well as market conditions, including consideration of competitor pricing. Rebates are estimated based on contractual terms, historical experience, patient outcomes, trend analysis and projected market conditions in the various markets served. The Company evaluates market conditions for products or groups of products primarily through the analysis of wholesaler and other third-party sell-through and market research data, as well as internally generated information.
Sales returns are estimated and recorded based on historical sales and returns information. Products that exhibit unusual sales or return patterns due to dating, competition or other marketing matters are specifically investigated and analyzed as part of the accounting for sales return accruals.
Sales returns allowances represent a reserve for products that may be returned due to expiration, destruction in the field, or in specific areas, product recall. The sales returns reserve is based on historical return trends by product and by market as a percent to gross sales. In accordance with the Company’s accounting policies, the Company generally issues credit to customers for returned goods. The Company’s sales returns reserves are accounted for in accordance with the U.S. GAAP guidance for revenue recognition when right of return exists. Sales returns reserves are recorded at full sales value. Sales returns in the Innovative Medicine segments are almost exclusively not resalable. Sales returns for certain franchises in the MedTech segment are typically resalable but are not material. The Company infrequently exchanges products from inventory for returned products. The sales returns reserve for the total Company has been less than 1.0% of annual net trade sales during the fiscal years 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Promotional programs, such as product listing allowances are recorded in the same period as related sales and include volume-based sales incentive programs. Volume-based incentive programs are based on the estimated sales volumes for the incentive period and are recorded as products are sold. These arrangements are evaluated to determine the appropriate amounts to be deferred or recorded as a reduction of revenue. The Company also earns profit-share payments through collaborative arrangements of certain products, which are included in sales to customers. Profit-share payments were less than 2.0% of the total revenues in fiscal year 2023 and less than 3.0% of the total revenues in fiscal year 2022 and 2021 are included in sales to customers.
In addition, the Company enters into collaboration arrangements that contain multiple revenue generating activities. Amounts due from collaborative partners for these arrangements are recognized as each activity is performed or delivered, based on the relative selling price. Upfront fees received as part of these arrangements are deferred and recognized over the performance period. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional disclosures on collaborations.
Reasonably likely changes to assumptions used to calculate the accruals for rebates, returns and promotions are not anticipated to have a material effect on the financial statements. The Company currently discloses the impact of changes to assumptions in the quarterly or annual filing in which there is a material financial statement impact.
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Below are tables that show the progression of accrued rebates, returns, promotions, reserve for doubtful accounts and reserve for cash discounts by segment of business for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023.
Innovative Medicine segment
(Dollars in Millions) Balance at
Beginning
of Period
Accruals Payments/
Credits (2)
Balance at
End of
Period
2023
Accrued rebates (1)
$12,289 47,523 (45,151) 14,661
Accrued returns 649 332 (347) 634
Accrued promotions 1 12 (7) 6
Subtotal $12,939 47,867 (45,505) 15,301
Reserve for doubtful accounts 44 0 (11) 33
Reserve for cash discounts 110 1,386 (1,385) 111
Total $13,093 49,253 (46,901) 15,445
2022
Accrued rebates (1)
$10,331 43,026 (41,068) 12,289
Accrued returns 520 444 (315) 649
Accrued promotions 3 5 (7) 1
Subtotal $10,854 43,475 (41,390) 12,939
Reserve for doubtful accounts 50 0 (6) 44
Reserve for cash discounts 94 1,281 (1,265) 110
Total $10,998 44,756 (42,661) 13,093
(1) Includes reserve for customer rebates of $165 million at December 31, 2023 and $203 million at January 1, 2023, recorded as a contra asset.
(2) Includes prior period adjustments
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MedTech segment
(Dollars in Millions) Balance at
Beginning of
Period Accruals Payments/
Credits Balance at
End of
Period
2023
Accrued rebates (1)
$1,470 6,241 (6,256) 1,455
Accrued returns 134 555 (564) 125
Accrued promotions 43 74 (92) 25
Subtotal $1,647 6,870 (6,912) 1,605
Reserve for doubtful accounts 125 33 (25) 133
Reserve for cash discounts 9 96 (100) 5
Total $1,781 6,999 (7,037) 1,743
2022
Accrued rebates (1)
$1,446 6,131 (6,107) 1,470
Accrued returns 134 531 (531) 134
Accrued promotions 54 102 (113) 43
Subtotal $1,634 6,764 (6,751) 1,647
Reserve for doubtful accounts 148 6 (29) 125
Reserve for cash discounts 10 99 (100) 9
Total $1,792 6,869 (6,880) 1,781
(1) Includes reserve for customer rebates of $740 million at December 31, 2023 and $802 million at January 1, 2023, recorded as a contra asset.
Income Taxes: Income taxes are recorded based on amounts refundable or payable for the current year and include the results of any difference between U.S. GAAP accounting and tax reporting, recorded as deferred tax assets or liabilities. The Company estimates deferred tax assets and liabilities based on enacted tax regulations and rates. Future changes in tax laws and rates may affect recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities.
The Company has unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions. The Company follows U.S. GAAP, which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management believes that changes in these estimates would not have a material effect on the Company's results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
The Company has recorded deferred tax liabilities on all undistributed earnings prior to December 31, 2017 from its international subsidiaries. The Company has not provided deferred taxes on the undistributed earnings subsequent to January 1, 2018 from certain international subsidiaries where the earnings are considered to be indefinitely reinvested. The Company intends to continue to reinvest these earnings in those international operations. If the Company decides at a later date to repatriate these earnings to the U.S., the Company would be required to provide for the net tax effects on these amounts. The Company estimates that the tax effect of this repatriation would be approximately $0.5 billion under currently enacted tax laws and regulations and at current currency exchange rates. This amount does not include the possible benefit of U.S. foreign tax credits, which may substantially offset this cost.
See Note 1 and Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding income taxes.
Legal and Self Insurance Contingencies: The Company records accruals for various contingencies, including legal proceedings and product liability claims as these arise in the normal course of business. The accruals are based on management’s judgment as to the probability of losses and, where applicable, actuarially determined estimates. The Company has self insurance through a wholly-owned captive insurance company. In addition to accruals in the self insurance program, claims that exceed the insurance coverage are accrued when losses are probable and amounts can be reasonably estimated.
The Company follows the provisions of U.S. GAAP when recording litigation related contingencies. A liability is recorded when a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated.
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See Notes 1 and 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding product liability and legal proceedings.
Long-Lived and Intangible Assets: The Company assesses changes, both qualitatively and quantitatively, in economic conditions and makes assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows in evaluating the value of the Company’s property, plant and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets. As these assumptions and estimates may change over time, it may or may not be necessary for the Company to record impairment charges.
Employee Benefit Plans: The Company sponsors various retirement and pension plans, including defined benefit, defined contribution and termination indemnity plans, which cover most employees worldwide. These plans are based on assumptions for the discount rate, expected return on plan assets, mortality rates, expected salary increases, healthcare cost trend rates and attrition rates. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on these rates.
Stock Based Compensation: The Company recognizes compensation expense associated with the issuance of equity instruments to employees for their services. Based on the type of equity instrument, the fair value is estimated on the date of grant using either the Black-Scholes option valuation model or a combination of both the Black-Scholes option valuation model and Monte Carlo valuation model, and is expensed in the financial statements over the service period. The input assumptions used in determining fair value are the expected life, expected volatility, risk-free rate and expected dividend yield. For performance share units, the fair market value is calculated for the two component goals at the date of grant: adjusted operational earnings per share and relative total shareholder return. The fair values for the earnings per share goal of each performance share unit was estimated on the date of grant using the fair market value of the shares at the time of the award, discounted for dividends, which are not paid on the performance share units during the vesting period. The fair value for the relative total shareholder return goal of each performance share unit was estimated on the date of grant using the Monte Carlo valuation model. See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
New accounting pronouncements
Refer to Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for recently adopted accounting pronouncements and recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted as of December 31, 2023.
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Economic and market factors
The Company is aware that its products are used in an environment where, for more than a decade, policymakers, consumers and businesses have expressed concerns about the rising cost of healthcare. In response to these concerns, the Company has a long-standing policy of pricing products responsibly. For the period 2013 - 2023, in the U.S., the weighted average compound annual growth rate of the Company’s net price increases for healthcare products (prescription and over-the-counter drugs, hospital and professional products) was below the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The Company operates in certain countries where the economic conditions continue to present significant challenges. The Company continues to monitor these situations and take appropriate actions. Inflation rates continue to have an effect on worldwide economies and, consequently, on the way companies operate. The Company has accounted for operations in Argentina, Venezuela and Turkey (beginning in the fiscal second quarter of 2022) as highly inflationary, as the prior three-year cumulative inflation rate surpassed 100%. This did not have a material impact to the Company's results in the period. In the face of increasing costs, the Company strives to maintain its profit margins through cost reduction programs, productivity improvements and periodic price increases.
In December 2023, the Argentine government devalued the peso by approximately 50%. During 2023, the Company recorded a charge of approximately $130 million related to operations in Argentina due to the application of highly inflationary accounting. As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s Argentine subsidiaries represented less than 1.0% of the Company's consolidated assets, liabilities, revenues and profits from continuing operations; therefore, the effect of a change in the exchange rate is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company's 2024 full-year results.
In July 2023, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Janssen) filed litigation against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as well as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services challenging the constitutionality of the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. The litigation requests a declaration that the IRA violates Janssen’s rights under the First Amendment and the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution and therefore that Janssen is not subject to the IRA’s mandatory pricing scheme.
Russia-Ukraine War
Although the long-term implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are difficult to predict at this time, the financial impact of the conflict in the fiscal year 2023, including accounts receivable or inventory reserves, was not material. As of and for each of the fiscal years ending December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023, the business of the Company’s Russian subsidiaries represented less than 1% of the Company’s consolidated assets and represented 1% of revenues. The Company does not maintain Ukraine subsidiaries subsequent to the Kenvue separation.
In early March of 2022, the Company took steps to suspend all advertising, enrollment in clinical trials, and any additional investment in Russia. The Company continues to supply products relied upon by patients for healthcare purposes.
Conflict in the Middle East
Although the long-term implications of Israel's conflict are difficult to predict at this time, the financial impact of the conflict in the fiscal year 2023, including accounts receivable or inventory reserves, was not material. As of and for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, the business of the Company’s Israel subsidiaries represented 1% of the Company’s consolidated assets and represented less than 1% of revenues.
The Company is exposed to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. A 1% change in the value of the U.S. Dollar as compared to all foreign currencies in which the Company had sales, income or expense in 2023 would have increased or decreased the translation of foreign sales by approximately $0.4 billion and net income by approximately $0.2 billion.
Governments around the world consider various proposals to make changes to tax laws, which may include increasing or decreasing existing statutory tax rates. In connection with various government initiatives, companies are required to disclose more information to tax authorities on operations around the world, which may lead to greater audit scrutiny of profits earned in other countries. A change in statutory tax rate in any country would result in the revaluation of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities related to that particular jurisdiction in the period in which the new tax law is enacted. This change would result in an expense or benefit recorded to the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Earnings. The Company closely monitors these proposals as they arise in the countries where it operates. Changes to the statutory tax rate may occur at any time, and any related expense or benefit recorded may be material to the fiscal quarter and year in which the law change is enacted.
The Company faces various worldwide healthcare changes that may continue to result in pricing pressures that include healthcare cost containment and government legislation relating to sales, promotions, pricing and reimbursement of healthcare products.
Changes in the behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of healthcare products and services, including delaying medical procedures, rationing prescription medications, reducing the frequency of physician visits and foregoing healthcare insurance coverage may continue to impact the Company’s businesses.
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The Company also operates in an environment increasingly hostile to intellectual property rights. Firms have filed Abbreviated New Drug Applications or Biosimilar Biological Product Applications with the U.S. FDA or otherwise challenged the coverage and/or validity of the Company's patents, seeking to market generic or biosimilar forms of many of the Company’s key pharmaceutical products prior to expiration of the applicable patents covering those products. In the event the Company is not successful in defending the patent claims challenged in the resulting lawsuits, generic or biosimilar versions of the products at issue will be introduced to the market, resulting in the potential for substantial market share and revenue losses for those products, and which may result in a non-cash impairment charge in any associated intangible asset. There is also a risk that one or more competitors could launch a generic or biosimilar version of the product at issue following regulatory approval even though one or more valid patents are in place.
Legal proceedings
Johnson & Johnson and certain of its subsidiaries are involved in various lawsuits and claims regarding product liability, intellectual property, commercial, employment, indemnification and other matters; governmental investigations; and other legal proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of business.
The Company records accruals for loss contingencies associated with these legal matters when it is probable that a liability will be incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has determined that the liabilities associated with certain litigation matters are probable and can be reasonably estimated. The Company has accrued for these matters and will continue to monitor each related legal issue and adjust accruals as might be warranted based on new information and further developments in accordance with ASC 450-20-25, Contingencies. For these and other litigation and regulatory matters discussed below for which a loss is probable or reasonably possible, the Company is unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss beyond the amounts accrued. Amounts accrued for legal contingencies often result from a complex series of judgments about future events and uncertainties that rely heavily on estimates and assumptions including timing of related payments. The ability to make such estimates and judgments can be affected by various factors including, among other things, whether damages sought in the proceedings are unsubstantiated or indeterminate; scientific and legal discovery has not commenced or is not complete; proceedings are in early stages; matters present legal uncertainties; there are significant facts in dispute; procedural or jurisdictional issues; the uncertainty and unpredictability of the number of potential claims; ability to achieve comprehensive multi-party settlements; complexity of related cross-claims and counterclaims; and/or there are numerous parties involved. To the extent adverse awards, judgments or verdicts have been rendered against the Company, the Company does not record an accrual until a loss is determined to be probable and can be reasonably estimated.
In the Company's opinion, based on its examination of these matters, its experience to date and discussions with counsel, the ultimate outcome of legal proceedings, net of liabilities accrued in the Company's balance sheet, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position. However, the resolution of, or increase in accruals for, one or more of these matters in any reporting period may have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and cash flows for that period.
See Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report for further information regarding legal proceedings.
Common stock
The Company’s Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol JNJ. As of February 9, 2024, there were 118,772 record holders of Common Stock of the Company.