Johnson&Johnson 4th Qtr 2008 Earnings

2008 Full-Year Sales of $63.7 Billion increased 4.3%;
Full-Year EPS was $4.57 2008 Fourth-Quarter Sales of $15.2 Billion decreased 4.9%;
EPS was $0.97 Excluding Special Items,
2008 Full-Year EPS was $4.55, an increase of 9.6% and
Fourth-Quarter EPS was $0.94, an increase of 6.8%*

New Brunswick, NJ (January 20, 2009) – Johnson & Johnson today announced sales for the year 2008 of $63.7 billion, an increase of 4.3% over 2007. Operational growth was 1.9% with currency contributing 2.4%. Domestic sales decreased 0.4%, while international sales increased 9.7%, reflecting operational growth of 4.6% and a positive currency impact of 5.1%. Worldwide sales in the fourth quarter of 2008 were $15.2 billion, a decrease of 4.9% as compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. Operational results declined 1.0% and the negative impact of currency was 3.9%. Domestic sales decreased 6.9%, while international sales decreased 2.7%, reflecting operational growth of 5.4% and a negative currency impact of 8.1%.

Net earnings and diluted earnings per share for the year 2008 were $12.9 billion and $4.57. Full-year 2008 net earnings included special items related to in-process research and development charges of $181 million with no tax benefit and an after-tax gain of $229 million representing the net impact of litigation settlements in the fourth quarter. Full-year 2007 net earnings included special items related to an in-process research and development charge of $807 million with no tax benefit, an after-tax charge of $528 million for restructuring, an after-tax non-cash charge of $441 million for the NATRECOR® intangible asset write-down, and a tax gain of $267 million associated with the restructuring of certain international subsidiaries. Excluding these special items, net earnings for 2008 were $12.9 billion and earnings per share were $4.55, representing increases of 6.8% and 9.6%, respectively, as compared with the same period in 2007.*

Net earnings and diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2008 were $2.7 billion and $0.97, respectively. Fourth quarter 2008 net earnings included special items related to in-process research and development charges of $141 million with no tax benefit and an after-tax gain of $229 million representing the net impact of litigation settlements. Fourth quarter 2007 net earnings included special items related to an after-tax non-cash charge of $441 million for the NATRECOR® asset write-down and a tax gain of $267 million associated with the restructuring of certain international subsidiaries. Excluding these special items, net earnings for the current quarter were $2.6 billion and diluted earnings per share were $0.94, representing increases of 3.1% and 6.8%, respectively, as compared to the same period in 2007.*

The Company announced earnings guidance for full-year 2009 of $4.45 to $4.55 per share, which excludes the impact of special items. This guidance includes anticipated dilution of $.03 to $.05 from the acquisition of Mentor Corporation, which is expected to close in January 2009.