DHR vs. JNJ: Danaher vs. Johnson & Johnson Stock Comparison

November 11, 2026

How do Danaher (DHR) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Danaher (DHR) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but DHR is classified in Life Sciences Tools & Services while JNJ is classified in Pharmaceuticals.

Company profile comparison for Danaher (DHR) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Profile Item	DHR	JNJ
Name	Danaher Corp.	Johnson & Johnson
Country/Region	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Health Care	Health Care
GICS Industry Group	Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences	Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS Industry	Life Sciences Tools & Services	Pharmaceuticals
GICS Sub-Industry	Life Sciences Tools & Services	Pharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization	161.86 billion USD	664.95 billion USD
Currency	USD	USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	December 29, 1978	January 2, 1962
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

DHR

JNJ

GSPC

Danaher (DHR) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Danaher (DHR) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Danaher (DHR) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Danaher (DHR) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Metric	DHR	JNJ
Total Return (1Y)	11.88%	53.82%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	6.67%	27.51%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	-2.05%	14.71%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

DHR

JNJ

GSPC

Danaher (DHR) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Danaher (DHR) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Danaher (DHR) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Metric	DHR	JNJ
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	30.61%	21.23%
Beta (5Y)	0.76	0.21
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-43.31%	-18.41%
Avg. Volume (3M)	3.94M	6.93M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

DHR and JNJ are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Danaher (DHR) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Metric	DHR	JNJ
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	0.25	2.33
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	0.35	3.66

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both Danaher (DHR) at 8.19% and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 20.02% sit in the top peer quartile for ROE, suggesting each generates more profit from shareholders’ equity than typical industry peers.

DHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

8.19%

Max: 109.18%
DHR: 8.19%
Q3: 6.23%
Median: -26.66%
Q1: -64.05%
Min: -167.77%

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

20.02%

Max: 109.18%
JNJ: 20.02%
Q3: 6.23%
Median: -26.66%
Q1: -64.05%
Min: -167.77%

Danaher (DHR) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

For every dollar of sales, both Danaher (DHR) at 16.91% and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 16.20% retain more as net profit than most peers, landing in the top net margin quartile of their industries.

DHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

16.91%

Max: 18.05%
DHR: 16.91%
Q3: 4.78%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -4.14%
Min: -17.05%

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

16.20%

Max: 18.05%
JNJ: 16.20%
Q3: 4.78%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -4.14%
Min: -17.05%

Danaher (DHR) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Danaher (DHR) at 21.13% and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 25.74% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.

DHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

21.13%

Max: 83.12%
DHR: 21.13%
Q3: 14.77%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -78.82%
Min: -207.40%

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

25.74%

Max: 83.12%
JNJ: 25.74%
Q3: 14.77%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -78.82%
Min: -207.40%

Danaher (DHR) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Danaher (DHR) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Metric	DHR	JNJ
ROE (TTM)	8.19%	20.02%
ROA (TTM)	4.06%	8.46%
Net Margin (TTM)	16.91%	16.20%
Operating Margin (TTM)	21.13%	25.74%
Gross Margin (TTM)	59.36%	67.78%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Danaher (DHR) at 2.90% and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 6.05% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

Danaher (DHR) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 90.50% sits in the top EPS growth quartile, while Danaher (DHR) at -4.54% is closer to the peer norm — faster per-share earnings growth for JNJ.

Danaher (DHR) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Danaher (DHR) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Metric	DHR	JNJ
Revenue Growth (YoY)	2.90%	6.05%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	-2.67%	5.60%
EPS Growth (YoY)	-4.54%	90.50%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	-19.44%	17.90%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Danaher (DHR) at 1.63 and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 1.02 run current ratio in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.

DHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.63

Max: 25.13
Q3: 12.13
Median: 5.52
Q1: 2.47
DHR: 1.63
Min: 0.10

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.02

Max: 25.13
Q3: 12.13
Median: 5.52
Q1: 2.47
JNJ: 1.02
Min: 0.10

Danaher (DHR) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Both Danaher (DHR) at 0.52 and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 0.55 fund their balance sheets with roughly industry-typical debt-to-equity mixes.

DHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.52

Max: 1.42
Q3: 0.65
DHR: 0.52
Median: 0.15
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.55

Max: 1.42
Q3: 0.65
JNJ: 0.55
Median: 0.15
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00

Danaher (DHR) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Danaher (DHR) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Metric	DHR	JNJ
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.63	1.02
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	0.52	0.55
Net Debt / EBITDA	2.68	0.79

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both Danaher (DHR) at 0.67% and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 1.94% yield above their industries’ entire benchmark ranges — high enough that dividend safety, not income, becomes the first question.

DHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.67%

DHR: 0.67%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.94%

JNJ: 1.94%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Danaher (DHR) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Both Danaher (DHR) at 25.17% and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 80.12% pay out more of their earnings than any of their industry peers — the thinnest cover in their groups, so dividend headroom deserves attention.

DHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

25.17%

DHR: 25.17%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

80.12%

JNJ: 80.12%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Danaher (DHR) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Danaher (DHR) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Metric	DHR	JNJ
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.67%	1.94%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	25.17%	80.12%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Both Danaher (DHR) at 38.12 and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 41.92 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.

DHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

38.12

Max: 85.34
Q3: 43.46
DHR: 38.12
Median: 26.69
Q1: 13.30
Min: 0.07

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

41.92

Max: 85.34
Q3: 43.46
JNJ: 41.92
Median: 26.69
Q1: 13.30
Min: 0.07

Danaher (DHR) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

On P/S ratio, both Danaher (DHR) at 6.32 and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 6.69 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.

DHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

6.32

Max: 58.18
Q3: 25.77
Median: 7.30
DHR: 6.32
Q1: 3.01
Min: 0.01

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

6.69

Max: 58.18
Q3: 25.77
Median: 7.30
JNJ: 6.69
Q1: 3.01
Min: 0.01

Danaher (DHR) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Danaher (DHR) at 3.02 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 8.16 carries an above-peer premium to book — JNJ is pricier on assets.

DHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

3.02

Max: 13.53
Q3: 6.54
Median: 3.25
DHR: 3.02
Q1: 1.69
Min: -5.59

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

8.16

Max: 13.53
JNJ: 8.16
Q3: 6.54
Median: 3.25
Q1: 1.69
Min: -5.59

Danaher (DHR) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Danaher (DHR) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Metric	DHR	JNJ
P/E Ratio (TTM)	38.12	41.92
P/S Ratio (TTM)	6.32	6.69
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	3.02	8.16
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	2.93%	2.78%