JNJ vs. PFE

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

JNJ (Johnson & Johnson) and PFE (Pfizer Inc.) are both stocks. Both operate in the Drug Manufacturers - General industry within the Healthcare sector. Over the past 10 years, JNJ returned 9.93%/yr vs 1.86%/yr for PFE. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

JNJ vs. PFE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Pfizer Inc. (PFE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JNJ achieves a 11.58% return, which is significantly higher than PFE's 4.64% return. Over the past 10 years, JNJ has outperformed PFE with an annualized return of 9.93%, while PFE has yielded a comparatively lower 1.86% annualized return.

JNJ

• 1D: -2.48%
• 1M: 0.17%
• YTD: 11.58%
• 6M: 11.90%
• 1Y: 55.31%
• 3Y*: 14.93%
• 5Y*: 10.17%
• 10Y*: 9.93%

PFE

• 1D: -2.74%
• 1M: -2.25%
• YTD: 4.64%
• 6M: 3.44%
• 1Y: 12.95%
• 3Y*: -8.80%
• 5Y*: -3.44%
• 10Y*: 1.86%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

JNJ vs. PFE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JNJ Johnson & Johnson	11.58%	47.48%	-4.81%	-8.58%	5.97%	11.44%	10.82%	16.22%	-5.13%	24.43%
PFE Pfizer Inc.	4.64%	0.65%	-2.22%	-41.26%	-10.41%	66.70%	3.07%	-6.91%	24.82%	15.90%

Correlation

The correlation between JNJ and PFE is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 1, 1972	0.46

The correlation between JNJ and PFE shifts across timeframes, from 0.33 (1 year) to 0.48 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap JNJ : $558.46B PFE : $144.48B
EPS JNJ : $8.65 PFE : $1.31
PE Ratio JNJ : 26.41 PFE : 19.21
PEG Ratio JNJ : 0.88 PFE : 0.35
PS Ratio JNJ : 5.77 PFE : 2.27
PB Ratio JNJ : 6.88 PFE : 1.60
Total Revenue (TTM) JNJ : $96.36B PFE : $63.32B
Gross Profit (TTM) JNJ : $66.60B PFE : $43.91B
EBITDA (TTM) JNJ : $31.62B PFE : $16.94B

Return for Risk

JNJ vs. PFE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

JNJ

JNJ Risk / Return Rank: 95
JNJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
JNJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
JNJ Omega Ratio Rank: 96
JNJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
JNJ Martin Ratio Rank: 93

PFE

PFE Risk / Return Rank: 59
PFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
PFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
PFE Omega Ratio Rank: 53
PFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
PFE Martin Ratio Rank: 63

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

JNJ vs. PFE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Pfizer Inc. (PFE). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	JNJ	PFE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.25	0.54	+2.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.66	0.98	+3.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.12	+0.47
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.07	1.13	+3.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.87	2.25	+12.62

JNJ vs. PFE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JNJ Sharpe Ratio is 3.25, which is higher than the PFE Sharpe Ratio of 0.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JNJ and PFE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

JNJ vs. PFE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JNJ drawdown since its inception was -50.67%, smaller than the maximum PFE drawdown of -69.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JNJ and PFE.

Drawdown Indicators

	JNJ	PFE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.67%	-69.24%	+18.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.96%	-11.47%	+0.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.95%	-38.65%	+22.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.41%	-58.96%	+40.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.37%	-58.96%	+31.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.59%	-47.75%	+40.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.90%	-22.91%	+11.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.73%	5.76%	-2.03%

Volatility

JNJ vs. PFE - Volatility Comparison

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) has a higher volatility of 6.20% compared to Pfizer Inc. (PFE) at 5.42%. This indicates that JNJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PFE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JNJ	PFE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.20%	5.42%	+0.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.27%	14.33%	-2.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.13%	23.89%	-6.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.91%	25.50%	-8.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.50%	23.90%	-5.40%

Dividends

JNJ vs. PFE - Dividend Comparison

JNJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.29%, less than PFE's 6.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JNJ Johnson & Johnson	2.29%	2.48%	3.40%	3.00%	2.52%	2.45%	2.53%	2.57%	2.74%	2.38%	2.73%	2.87%
PFE Pfizer Inc.	6.82%	6.91%	6.33%	5.70%	3.12%	2.64%	3.92%	3.68%	3.12%	3.53%	3.69%	3.47%

Financials

JNJ vs. PFE - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer Inc. over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

JNJ - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Johnson & Johnson reported a gross profit of 17.20B and revenue of 24.06B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 71.5%.

PFE - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Pfizer Inc. reported a gross profit of 9.72B and revenue of 14.45B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 67.3%.

JNJ - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Johnson & Johnson reported an operating income of 6.40B and revenue of 24.06B, resulting in an operating margin of 26.6%.

PFE - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Pfizer Inc. reported an operating income of 4.03B and revenue of 14.45B, resulting in an operating margin of 27.9%.

JNJ - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Johnson & Johnson reported a net income of 5.24B and revenue of 24.06B, resulting in a net margin of 21.8%.

PFE - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Pfizer Inc. reported a net income of 2.69B and revenue of 14.45B, resulting in a net margin of 18.6%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JNJ and PFE in my portfolio?

JNJ and PFE have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JNJ or PFE?

JNJ has higher volatility (6.20%) compared to PFE (5.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JNJ dropped -50.67% vs PFE's -69.24%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JNJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.25 vs 0.54), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.