JNJ vs. WST: Johnson & Johnson vs. West Pharmaceutical Services Stock Comparison
This page compares Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) with West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.
Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Performance at a Glance
| Metric | JNJ | WST |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Return | 57.60% | 46.68% |
Risk
Drawdown
Risk at a Glance
| Metric | JNJ | WST |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Volatility | 16.96% | 41.40% |
| Beta | 0.25 | 1.17 |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 7.68M | 852.79K |
Company Profile
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but JNJ is classified in Pharmaceuticals while WST is classified in Life Sciences Tools & Services.
| Profile Item | JNJ | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Johnson & Johnson | West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. |
| 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 | Pharmaceuticals | Life Sciences Tools & Services |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Life Sciences Tools & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 579.83 billion USD | 23.23 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 27.94 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 44.08 sits in the richer quartile — WST needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
27.94
- Max
- 77.14
- Q3
- 43.78
- JNJ
- 27.94
- Median
- 24.68
- Q1
- 15.27
- Min
- 1.70
WST
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
44.08
- Max
- 77.14
- WST
- 44.08
- Q3
- 43.78
- Median
- 24.68
- Q1
- 15.27
- Min
- 1.70
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
On P/S ratio, both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 6.02 and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 7.21 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
6.02
- Max
- 55.38
- Q3
- 24.42
- Median
- 6.98
- JNJ
- 6.02
- Q1
- 3.30
- Min
- 0.01
WST
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
7.21
- Max
- 55.38
- Q3
- 24.42
- WST
- 7.21
- Median
- 6.98
- Q1
- 3.30
- Min
- 0.01
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 7.14 and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 7.80 carry a premium to book value versus peers, sitting in the upper P/B ratio quartile of their industries.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
7.14
- Max
- 13.23
- JNJ
- 7.14
- Q3
- 6.38
- Median
- 3.46
- Q1
- 1.64
- Min
- -5.17
WST
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
7.80
- Max
- 13.23
- WST
- 7.80
- Q3
- 6.38
- Median
- 3.46
- Q1
- 1.64
- Min
- -5.17
Valuation at a Glance
| Metric | JNJ | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 27.94 | 44.08 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 6.02 | 7.21 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 7.14 | 7.80 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield | 2.16% | 1.19% |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 26.42% and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 19.13% sit in the top peer quartile for ROE, suggesting each generates more profit from shareholders’ equity than typical industry peers.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
26.42%
- Max
- 101.32%
- JNJ
- 26.42%
- Q3
- 2.92%
- Median
- -31.26%
- Q1
- -62.68%
- Min
- -158.89%
WST
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
19.13%
- Max
- 101.32%
- WST
- 19.13%
- Q3
- 2.92%
- Median
- -31.26%
- Q1
- -62.68%
- Min
- -158.89%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 21.83% and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 16.85% keep an unusually large share of revenue as bottom-line profit — each net margin clears its industry’s benchmark range.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
21.83%
- JNJ
- 21.83%
- Max
- 12.76%
- Q3
- 4.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -2.26%
- Min
- -11.53%
WST
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
16.85%
- WST
- 16.85%
- Max
- 12.76%
- Q3
- 4.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -2.26%
- Min
- -11.53%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 27.41% and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 21.70% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
27.41%
- Max
- 100.30%
- JNJ
- 27.41%
- Q3
- 4.40%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -131.52%
- Min
- -333.43%
WST
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
21.70%
- Max
- 100.30%
- WST
- 21.70%
- Q3
- 4.40%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -131.52%
- Min
- -333.43%
Profitability at a Glance
| Metric | JNJ | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 26.42% | 19.13% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.42% | 11.21% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.83% | 16.85% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 27.41% | 21.70% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 68.04% | 36.28% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Metric | JNJ | WST |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Revenue Growth | 6.05% | 6.25% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 5.60% | 2.12% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Metric | JNJ | WST |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year EPS Growth | 90.50% | 1.49% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 17.90% | -4.23% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 2.71 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 1.03 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for JNJ.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.03
- Max
- 24.81
- Q3
- 11.75
- Median
- 5.57
- Q1
- 2.69
- JNJ
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.23
WST
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.71
- Max
- 24.81
- Q3
- 11.75
- Median
- 5.57
- WST
- 2.71
- Q1
- 2.69
- Min
- 0.23
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 0.68 and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 0.11 fund their balance sheets with roughly industry-typical debt-to-equity mixes.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.68
- Max
- 1.60
- Q3
- 0.68
- JNJ
- 0.68
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
WST
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.11
- Max
- 1.60
- Q3
- 0.68
- Median
- 0.15
- WST
- 0.11
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Metric | JNJ | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.03 | 2.71 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.68 | 0.11 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 0.96 | -0.23 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 2.23% and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 0.27% yield above their industries’ entire benchmark ranges — high enough that dividend safety, not income, becomes the first question.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.23%
- JNJ
- 2.23%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WST
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.27%
- WST
- 0.27%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 60.25% and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 11.50% pay out more of their earnings than any of their industry peers — the thinnest cover in their groups, so dividend headroom deserves attention.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
60.25%
- JNJ
- 60.25%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WST
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
11.50%
- WST
- 11.50%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividends at a Glance
| Metric | JNJ | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.23% | 0.27% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 60.25% | 11.50% |