J&J’s Looming Talc Suits Overshadow Upbeat 2026 Sales Guidance

Johnson & Johnson lost a key battle to block experts linking the company’s withdrawn baby powder products to cancer from testifying in court, sending shares lower.

The legal development overshadowed an upbeat fourth-quarter sales update, in which the company surpassed expectations on strong growth for several newer cancer treatments. It also issued higher-than-expected 2026 guidance.

Shares slid as much as 3.5% on Wednesday in New York.

A special court master on Tuesday recommended the experts be allowed to testify in upcoming trials of users’ lawsuits in federal court in New Jersey. J&J officials said in the past they hoped the ...