8-KFinancial EventsOther Events

JOHNSON & JOHNSON 8-K Report, Material Impairment (Nov 29, 2007)

Filed November 29, 2007For Securities:JNJ

Summary

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) filed an 8-K report on November 29, 2007, disclosing two significant one-time events that will impact its fourth quarter 2007 financial results. The company announced it will record a substantial after-tax, non-cash charge of approximately $403 million related to the write-down of intangible assets for its heart failure treatment, NATRECORr. This impairment stems from revised future cash flow estimates, driven by a recent decline in sales trends for the product, despite management's belief in its clinical importance. In addition to the NATRECORr impairment, JNJ also announced a special tax gain of approximately $260 million resulting from the restructuring of certain international subsidiaries, which received government approval in the fourth quarter. It is important for investors to note that both of these "special items" are expected to be excluded from the company's earnings per share guidance, which typically excludes charges like in-process R&D, restructuring costs, and other special items. These disclosures provide insight into specific product performance challenges and corporate financial adjustments, while reinforcing the company's existing EPS guidance framework.

Key Highlights

  • 1Johnson & Johnson will record a significant after-tax, non-cash charge of approximately $403 million in Q4 2007 due to an impairment of intangible assets related to the heart failure drug NATRECORr.
  • 2The NATRECORr write-down is attributed to revised future cash flow estimates caused by a recent decline in the product's sales trends.
  • 3The company maintains that NATRECORr remains an important clinical option and will continue to be marketed by its subsidiary, Scios Inc.
  • 4JNJ will also record a special tax gain of approximately $260 million in Q4 2007 due to a restructuring of certain international subsidiaries.
  • 5Both the NATRECORr impairment charge and the international subsidiary tax gain are classified as "special items."
  • 6The company's earnings per share (EPS) guidance is expected to exclude the impact of these special items, along with IPR&D and restructuring charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary reason for the large charge is the write-down of intangible assets related to NATRECORr, a drug used to treat acutely decompensated heart failure. This write-down, estimated at $403 million after-tax and non-cash, is due to revised expectations of future cash flows from the product, driven by a recent downturn in its sales trends.

No, the company explicitly stated that these special items, including the NATRECORr impairment charge and the international subsidiary tax gain, will not impact its earnings per share guidance. This guidance typically excludes such "special items," in-process R&D charges, and restructuring charges.

The filing indicates that Johnson & Johnson does not plan to discontinue NATRECORr. Management believes the product is an important clinical option for patients with acutely decompensated heart failure and that it will continue to be marketed by Scios Inc., a subsidiary of the Company.

Johnson & Johnson will record a special tax gain of approximately $260 million. This gain is a result of the successful restructuring of certain international subsidiaries, which received approval from the relevant government authorities in the fourth quarter of 2007.