J&J Leads the Charge to Higher Prices

No surprise to my site's regular (but few) readers that the market trades from strength to strength, and leadership gathers no moss as it, too, improves.

I mentioned health care as a leading sector, and several groups within that sector act as the market's engine to higher prices. Among the companies from the health care sector that lead the charge to higher prices is Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), one of my Core Opportunities. BRIEFING.COM reports...

Johnson & Johnson (60.04, +1.26) provides leadership to the health care sector and the broader S&P 500.

Aside from some selling pressure in the prior session, shares of JNJ have been on an upward trend since the start of the week. The stock is up roughly 4.8% since.

Health care is now up 2.3%, which is more than any other sector. The advance is helping provide leadership to the broader market since health care is the second largest sector in the S&P 500. Health care accounts for nearly 15% of the S&P 500's total weight.

And in a possible second surprise, Johnson & Johnson is not alone.

Full Disclosure: Long Johnson & Johnson.

Comments

[Old Trader:]

JNJ has been a core position in my portfolio for a couple of years, and its held up suprising well during the current year's market swoon (or "crash" might be more appropo). Had exited MRK, and replaced it with JNJ because of its diversified exposure to healthcare, and its international exposure.

2008 Dec 19 10:41 PM