5 Best Defensive Dividend Stocks for 2026

3. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 104

On March 3, BofA analyst Jason Gerberry raised the firm’s price recommendation on Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) to $253 from $227. It reiterated a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm said it updated its long-term revenue estimates to reflect new expectations for several pipeline assets nearing the market. Gerberry pointed in particular to Tecvayli and Inlexzo. He also noted that strong data from Tecvayli could have a knock-on effect on Darzalex by extending the duration of treatment.

A few days later, on March 5, Reuters reported that Johnson & Johnson had launched a website that allows some patients in the US to purchase certain drugs directly. The platform is designed for people who do not have insurance or who pay for medications out of pocket. The website, called J&J Direct, currently lists three drugs. These include diabetes treatments Invokana and Invokamet, along with the blood thinner Xarelto.

The initiative is tied to a broader commitment the company made earlier this year. In January, Johnson & Johnson agreed to improve direct access to its medications as part of a deal with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. The agreement included plans to lower prices in exchange for exemptions from tariffs. The company has also pledged to invest $55 billion in the United States over a four-year period.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) operates across several areas of healthcare. Through its subsidiaries, the company focuses on the research and development, manufacturing, and sale of healthcare products. Its operations are organized into two segments: Innovative Medicine and MedTech.