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J&J, Flush With Cash, Has Flexibility To Be ‘Bolder’ On M&A, CEO Duato Says

 
• By Jessica Merrill

The company kicked off the new year with a new CEO, plans to break out consumer health, and a strong financial position, including $32bn in cash and lowest level of net debt in more than four years.

burning money
J&J said it has money to burn and is interested in spending on deals this year • Source: Alamy

Johnson & Johnson is starting 2022 in a strong financial position with flexibility to act boldly on business development to build out the pharmaceutical portfolio, CEO Joaquin Duato said during the company's fourth quarter sales and earnings call on 25 January. The quarterly call was the first for Duato as chief executive after taking over the role from Alex Gorsky at the start of the year.

"We are about to turn from a net debt to a net cash position for the first time in over four years, so we have the flexibility to continue to grow our dividend, be bolder in strategic acquisitions and

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