NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., April 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Johnson & Johnson today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a 13.6% increase in the quarterly dividend rate, from $.33 per share to $.375 per share. The increase was announced this morning at the Annual Shareholders Meeting in New Brunswick, NJ.
"In recognition of our solid results in 2005, our very strong financial position, and our confidence in the future of the corporation, the Board has voted to increase our dividend for the 44th consecutive year," said William C. Weldon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
At the new rate, the indicated dividend on an annual basis is $1.50 compared to the previous rate of $1.32. The next quarterly dividend is payable on June 13, 2006 to shareholders of record as of May 30, 2006.
On April 18, Johnson & Johnson announced record sales and earnings for the first quarter of 2006. Sales of $13.0 billion and net earnings of $3.3 billion increased by 1.2% and 16.4%, respectively, over 2005 first-quarter results.
Johnson & Johnson is the world's most comprehensive and broadly based manufacturer of health care products, as well as a provider of related services, for the consumer, pharmaceutical, and medical devices and diagnostics markets. The more than 230 Johnson & Johnson operating companies employ approximately 116,000 men and women in 57 countries and sell products throughout the world.
(This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the Company's expectations and projections. Risks and uncertainties include general industry conditions and competition; economic conditions, such as interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; technological advances and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approvals; domestic and foreign health care reforms and governmental laws and regulations; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Exhibit 99 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2006. Copies of this Form 10-K, as well as subsequent filings, are available online at http://www.sec.gov or on request from the Company. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments.)
Johnson & JohnsonCONTACT: Press: Jeffrey J. Leebaw, +1-732-524-3350, Home -+1-732-821-6007, Investors: Louise Mehrotra, +1-732-524-6491, or StanPanasewicz, +1-732-524-2524, all of Johnson & Johnson
Web site: http://www.jnj.com/
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