10 Worst Performing Dow Stocks Year-to-Date

6. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 80

Share Price Performance Year-to-Date: 1.79%

One of the worst performing Dow stocks, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is an American multinational in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical technologies company. The company has made significant contributions to healthcare, pioneering sterile surgical products and the first commercial first aid kit. It has a history of innovation, including the invention of the Band-Aid in 1920 and several surgical technologies.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is dealing with over 62,000 lawsuits alleging that its talc products, including baby powder, is contaminated with asbestos and cause health issues like ovarian cancer. To handle these legal challenges, its subsidiary, Red River Talc, filed for bankruptcy as part of a strategy to address the claims.

The company, maintaining that its products are safe, has proposed a nearly $10 billion settlement. However, opponents of the plan are challenging the bankruptcy, potentially moving the case to New Jersey.

The company continues to face uncertainty over ongoing talc litigation, which has weighed on its stock performance. The company’s latest effort to resolve these liabilities involves a third attempt to place its talc-related subsidiary into bankruptcy, this time in Texas, with support from 83% of plaintiffs. If successful, this move could ease investor concerns.

On a positive note, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) reported strong third-quarter earnings, with sales of $22.5 billion, a 5.2% increase from the previous year, and adjusted earnings of $2.42 per share, exceeding analysts’ estimates by $0.21.

The acquisitions of Shockwave, V-Wave, and others have strengthened the MedTech and Innovative Medicine segments. Key medicines like DARZALEX, which surpassed $3 billion in sales and became the company’s first product to do so in a single quarter. The launch of new therapies such as RYBREVANT and TREMFYA, contributed significantly to this growth.

For 2025, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is confident in continued growth for its Innovative Medicine segment, despite losses from STELARA biosimilar entries. Product contributions are expected from TREMFYA and RYBREVANT, with new approvals and pipeline progress across priority platforms.