JNJ vs PFE: Johnson & Johnson vs Pfizer Inc. Stock Comparison [2026]

📊 Data as of June 24, 2026 · Refreshed weekly

A head-to-head, data-driven comparison of JNJ (Johnson & Johnson) and PFE (Pfizer Inc.) — covering valuation, growth, dividends, risk, and which one fits your portfolio. All metrics pulled from live market data.

If you're choosing between JNJ and PFE, the answer depends on what kind of investor you are. Both are watched closely in the Healthcare sector, but they look different on almost every metric that matters: P/E, growth rate, dividend, balance-sheet quality, and volatility.

Below we break down the head-to-head numbers, name a winner on each dimension, and give a clear recommendation by investor type. Want to run this comparison live with charts and 50+ metrics? Use the free interactive JNJ vs PFE comparison tool.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)

Healthcare · Drug Manufacturers - General · NYSE

Johnson & Johnson, together with its subsidiaries, researches and develops, manufactures, and sells various products in the healthcare field worldwide, but strategically separated its Consumer Health business into Kenvue Inc. in 2023 to focus on its higher-growth, innovation-driven segments; the former Consumer Health brands (including TYLENOL, LISTERINE, and BAND-AID) are now owned by Kenvue. The company's core focus is now split between its Innovative Medicine (formerly Pharmaceutical) segment, which offers prescription products for complex diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, various canc…

Pfizer Inc. (PFE)

Healthcare · Drug Manufacturers - General · NYSE

Pfizer Inc. discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic and women's health under the Premarin family and Eliquis brands; biologics, small molecules, immunotherapies, and biosimilars under the Ibrance, Xtandi, Sutent, Inlyta, Retacrit, Lorbrena, and Braftovi brands; and sterile injectable and anti-infective medicines, and oral COVID-19 treatment under the Sulperazon, Medrol, Zavicefta, Zithromax, Vfend, Panzyga, and Paxlovid brands. The c…

Quick Verdict

Better for Growth

JNJ

revenue 6.05% and EPS 88.87% YoY outpace the other name

Better for Value

Tie

both trade at similar earnings multiples

Better for Income

PFE

6.91% yield vs the other name's lower payout

Better for Safety

JNJ

beta 0.33 and D/E 0.00 make it the more defensive name

Editor's Take

By StockSignal24 Research · Reviewed May 17, 2026

Editor's Take: JNJ is a diversified pharma + consumer + medtech conglomerate. PFE is a focused pharma company with a post-COVID hangover.

Johnson & Johnson recently spun off its consumer health business (Kenvue) but still has pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and a strong consumer-facing brand. Its drug pipeline is solid but mature — no breakout blockbuster like an Ozempic. Pfizer is heavily focused on pharmaceuticals, with the lingering issue that COVID-era revenues are gone and the post-COVID pipeline hasn't fully materialized.

JNJ is the dividend-aristocrat archetype: 60+ consecutive years of dividend increases, AAA-rated balance sheet, low beta, steady earnings. The bear case is muted growth — JNJ rarely produces double-digit revenue growth. The bull case is that it doesn't have to; the dividend + buybacks + modest growth compound nicely.

Pfizer is the higher-risk pharma trade. After the COVID surge, the stock fell ~50% from its peak. The bull case is that the pipeline (especially in oncology and weight management acquisitions) eventually pays off and the stock re-rates. The bear case is that the post-COVID slump persists and dividend coverage gets stretched. JNJ for the income/durability investor; PFE for the contrarian pharma bet.

How to Read This JNJ vs PFE Comparison

Stock comparisons can be misleading if you focus on a single metric. A "cheaper" P/E doesn't automatically make a stock a better buy — slower-growing companies should trade at lower multiples. The right framework is to score each name on four independent dimensions and weight them according to your investing goal.

The Four-Dimension Framework

Growth — How fast is the business expanding? We look at year-over-year revenue and EPS growth. Faster growers earn premium multiples but carry execution risk.
Value — Are you paying a fair price? P/E, P/B, EV/EBITDA, and free cash flow yield tell you what the market is charging per dollar of business performance.
Income — Does the stock pay you to wait? Dividend yield, payout ratio, and dividend history matter for retirees, FIRE investors, and anyone funding ongoing expenses.
Safety — How much can you lose if things go wrong? Low beta, manageable debt-to-equity, and high ROE indicate a more durable business.

No single stock wins on all four. JNJ and PFE likely each lead on at least one dimension. The "right" answer is the one that matches your portfolio gap — if you already own a basket of high-growth tech, the cheaper, lower-volatility name probably adds more diversification value than another momentum bet.

Side-by-Side Metrics: JNJ vs PFE

Metric	JNJ	PFE
Price	$217.41	$25.61
Market Cap	$523.80B	$145.61B
P/E Ratio (lower is cheaper)	0.00	0.00
EPS	$0.00	$0.00
Dividend Yield	2.46%	6.91%
Beta (volatility vs market)	0.33	0.41
ROE (higher is better)	0.00%	0.00%
Debt/Equity (lower is safer)	0.00	0.00
Revenue Growth (YoY)	6.05%	-1.65%
EPS Growth (YoY)	88.87%	-4.23%
52-Week High	$220.11	$27.69
52-Week Low	$141.50	$20.92
Sector	Healthcare	Healthcare

Which Stock Has Better Growth?

JNJ grew revenue 6.05% and EPS 88.87% year-over-year. PFE grew revenue -1.65% and EPS -4.23%.

JNJ wins — revenue 6.05% and EPS 88.87% YoY outpace the other name.

Which Stock Is Cheaper on Valuation?

JNJ trades at a P/E of 0.00, while PFE trades at 0.00. ROE for JNJ is 0.00% versus 0.00% for PFE.

Roughly tied — both trade at similar earnings multiples.

Which Stock Pays More Income?

JNJ yields 2.46%; PFE yields 6.91%.

PFE wins — 6.91% yield vs the other name's lower payout.

Which Stock Is the Safer Bet?

JNJ has a beta of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.00. PFE sits at beta 0.41 and D/E 0.00.

JNJ wins — beta 0.33 and D/E 0.00 make it the more defensive name.

Where JNJ and PFE Sit in Their 52-Week Range

Price action over the last 12 months gives important context. A stock near its 52-week high has momentum on its side but limited room before profit-taking; one near its low may be a value opportunity or a structural problem.

JNJ currently trades at $217.41, near the upper end of its 52-week range — momentum is strong but the easy gains may be behind it (52-week range: $141.50–$220.11).
PFE currently trades at $25.61, in the upper half of its 52-week range — established uptrend with room to run if fundamentals continue (52-week range: $20.92–$27.69).

Key Risks for JNJ and PFE

Every stock has tail risks that the headline numbers don't capture. Here's what stands out from the available metrics:

JNJ: low beta of 0.33 dampens both upside and downside vs. the broader market.
PFE: low beta of 0.41 dampens both upside and downside vs. the broader market; yield of 6.91% above 6% deserves payout-ratio scrutiny; revenue declined 1.65% year-over-year — confirm whether this is cyclical or structural.

This is a quick heuristic risk scan, not a full risk assessment. Always read the "Risk Factors" section of each company's most recent 10-K filing before investing.

JNJ vs PFE — Best Pick by Investor Type

Long-term holder (10+ years): Lean toward JNJ; durability and balance-sheet strength matter more than the next-quarter print.
Income / dividend-focused: PFE — higher yield, but always check payout sustainability before chasing.
Aggressive growth: JNJ — faster top-line and EPS expansion at the cost of richer multiples.
Value-oriented: either name works — paying less per dollar of earnings, with the trade-off of slower growth.

The Bottom Line: JNJ vs PFE

On balance, JNJ wins on 2 of 4 dimensions, making it the slightly better all-around pick for a generalist investor.

If you're the kind of investor who hates picking, the easiest answer is to own both names in equal weight inside a sector basket and rebalance once a year. That way, you capture the winner without having to predict it, and you pay the lowest possible behavioral cost (no second-guessing, no FOMO).

If you must pick one, anchor on the dimension that fixes your biggest portfolio gap — not the one with the most exciting headline. Tilting toward defensive names when you already own three growth winners adds more risk-adjusted return than another momentum bet.

Metrics Glossary — What Each Number Means

If you're new to fundamental analysis, here's a plain-English reference for every metric in the table above:

P/E Ratio (Price-to-Earnings): Share price divided by earnings per share. Tells you how many years of current earnings the stock costs. Lower = cheaper, but slow growers should have lower P/Es.
EPS (Earnings Per Share): Net income divided by shares outstanding. The per-share slice of company profits.
Market Cap: Share price × shares outstanding. The market's total valuation of the company's equity.
Dividend Yield: Annual dividend per share ÷ current price, expressed as a percent. A 3% yield means you receive $3 per year for every $100 invested at today's price.
Beta: Volatility relative to the broader market (S&P 500 = 1.0). Beta of 1.5 means the stock historically moves 1.5× the market, both up and down.
ROE (Return on Equity): Net income ÷ shareholder equity. How efficiently the company turns equity capital into profit. Above 15% is generally considered high quality.
Debt-to-Equity: Total debt ÷ shareholder equity. Lower ratios mean less leverage and lower interest-rate risk.
Revenue Growth (YoY): Percentage change in revenue versus the year-ago period. The single best top-line health check.
EPS Growth (YoY): Same comparison but for earnings per share — captures both revenue growth and operating leverage.
52-Week High / Low: The trailing 12-month price range. Useful for context on current price (e.g. a stock near its 52-week high is in an uptrend; near the low is in a downtrend or value zone).

Run a Live JNJ vs PFE Comparison

The numbers above reflect the latest available data, but markets move every minute. For a real-time, interactive head-to-head with price charts (1D to YTD), all 50+ metrics, and AI-powered insights, use our free tool — it's free, no signup required, and shareable:

Compare JNJ vs PFE live →

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Frequently Asked Questions: Is JNJ

Is JNJ a better buy than PFE in 2026?

It depends on your investment goal. For growth investors, JNJ has the edge — JNJ grew revenue 6.05% versus -1.65% for PFE. For value investors, Both JNJ and PFE are roughly comparable on this dimension looks more attractive on earnings multiples (P/E 0.00 vs 0.00). For income, PFE pays a higher yield (2.46% vs 6.91%). For safety, JNJ has the more defensive profile (beta 0.33 vs 0.41).

What is the P/E ratio of JNJ vs PFE?

JNJ trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 0.00, while PFE trades at 0.00. A lower P/E means you pay less per dollar of current earnings — PFE is the cheaper name on this metric. However, a higher P/E often reflects faster expected growth, so don't pick on P/E alone.

Does JNJ or PFE pay a higher dividend?

JNJ currently yields 2.46% and PFE yields 6.91%. PFE pays the higher current yield. Always verify payout ratio and dividend history before treating yield as guaranteed income — a high yield can also be a warning sign of a falling share price.

Which stock is more volatile, JNJ or PFE?

JNJ has a beta of 0.33 and PFE has a beta of 0.41. A beta above 1.0 means the stock historically moves more than the broader market; below 1.0 means it moves less. PFE has been the more volatile name based on historical price action.

What is the market cap of JNJ vs PFE?

JNJ has a market capitalization of $523.80B and PFE is at $145.61B. Market cap is share price multiplied by shares outstanding and reflects the total equity value the market assigns to the company.

Should I buy JNJ or PFE for long-term investing?

For a long-term holder (10+ years), the safer-quality name usually wins because compounding requires durability. JNJ screens better on safety metrics here: lower beta, more conservative debt levels, and stronger return on equity. That said, JNJ is growing faster, so a long-term investor may want both — or split allocation 60/40 toward the safer name.

Which has higher growth, JNJ or PFE?

JNJ is the faster grower right now. JNJ grew revenue 6.05% year-over-year and EPS 88.87%; PFE grew revenue -1.65% and EPS -4.23%. PFE's slower growth often comes with a lower valuation — it's the classic growth-vs-value trade-off.

Is JNJ overvalued compared to PFE?

JNJ trades at a higher P/E than PFE, which can mean the market is pricing in faster expected growth. Whether that premium is justified depends on whether JNJ can actually deliver the implied earnings expansion. Cross-check P/E with PEG ratio (P/E ÷ growth rate) — a PEG under 1.5 is generally considered reasonable, over 2.0 starts to look stretched.

What sector are JNJ and PFE in?

JNJ (Johnson & Johnson) operates in the Healthcare sector, specifically the Drug Manufacturers - General industry. PFE (Pfizer Inc.) is in the Healthcare sector, specifically the Drug Manufacturers - General industry. Because both are in the same sector, this is a true head-to-head comparison.

How do I decide between JNJ and PFE?

Start with your goal. (1) If you need income, weight the higher-yield name. (2) If you want growth, weight the faster top-line and EPS grower. (3) If you want capital preservation, weight the lower-beta, lower-debt, higher-ROE name. (4) If you're unsure, the most common professional approach is to own both in a sector basket so you don't have to predict the winner — and rebalance annually.

Disclaimer: This comparison is generated from live market data for informational purposes only. It is not investment advice, a recommendation to buy or sell any security, or a substitute for the analysis of a licensed financial advisor. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always read the most recent 10-K and consult a qualified professional before making investment decisions. StockSignal24 is not responsible for losses incurred from trading decisions made based on this content.