Last Update On: 03/08/2010:

JNJ derives about half of its annual sales from foreign sources and 11.9% of 2008’s sales were devoted to R&D. The company has a strong balance sheet and net profit margins have averaged close to 18% over the last 10 years. Dividends have been increased annually for 47 straight years, with the latest increase bringing the payout to $1.96 per share, up from 1999’s payout of 55¢. Sales topped $61 billion in 2009, up from $27.5 billion in 1999. With $14.1 billion in cash assets, and a total debt load of only $11.6 billion, JNJ is in excellent financial shape. It has a 14% debt-to-capitalization ratio. Officers and directors own 5.3% and Berkshire owns 36.9 million of the 2.759 billion outstanding shares.