Johnson & Johnson today reported sales of $20.4 billion for the fourth quarter of 2018, an increase of 1.0% as compared to the fourth quarter of 2017. Operational sales results increased 3.3% and the negative impact of currency was 2.3%. Domestic sales increased 1.5%. International sales increased 0.4%, reflecting operational growth of 5.1% and a negative currency impact of 4.7%. Excluding the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures, on an operational basis, worldwide sales for the fourth quarter of 2018 increased 5.3%, domestic sales increased 2.6% and international sales increased 8.3%.

Worldwide sales for the full-year 2018 were $81.6 billion, an increase of 6.7% versus 2017.

Net earnings and diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2018 were $3.0 billion and $1.12, respectively. Net earnings and diluted earnings per share for the full-year 2018 were $15.3 billion and $5.61, respectively.  

"Johnson & Johnson delivered another year of strong operational sales growth of 6.3% and achieved our 35th consecutive year of adjusted operational earnings growth at 9.8% in 2018. This can be attributed to accelerated underlying sales performance across each of our businesses, where we also leveraged our scale across the enterprise to improve margins," said Alex Gorsky, chairman and CEO. "Looking ahead, the strength of our broad-based business and disciplined approach to portfolio management positions us to continue to fuel investments in innovation that enable us to capitalize on strategic opportunities and deliver strong performance over the long-term." 

Worldwide consumer sales of $13.9 billion for the full-year 2018 represented an increase of 1.8% versus the prior year, consisting of an operational increase of 2.2% and a negative impact from currency of 0.4%. Domestic sales increased 3.5%; international sales increased 0.7%, which reflected an operational increase of 1.4% and a negative currency impact of 0.7, according to J&J. Excluding the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures, on an operational basis, worldwide sales increased 3.2%, domestic sales increased 3.1% and international sales increased 3.3%

Worldwide operational results, excluding the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures, were driven by growth in over-the-counter products, including its analgesics and digestive health products; as well as Neutrogena and OGX beauty products and Listerine oral care products. 

J&J announced its 2019 full-year guidance for sales of $80.4 billion to $81.2 billion reflecting expected operational growth in the range of 0.0% to 1.0% and expected adjusted operational growth in the range of 2.0% to 3.0%.