Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs Eli Lilly and Company (LLY)

LLY leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics, though JNJ is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Johnson & Johnson and Eli Lilly and Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — JNJ vs LLY

growth of $100 · last 30y
JNJ +885.6%LLY +3454.0%LLY compounded faster
01k2k3kStart $100200120062011201620212026$986$3,554
JNJ LLY

JNJ vs LLY: by the numbers

  • LLY is the larger company ($1.07T vs $579.83B market cap).
  • JNJ trades at the lower earnings multiple (27.85 vs 40.25 P/E).
  • LLY converts more revenue to profit (34.98% vs 21.83% net margin).
  • LLY grew revenue faster over the past five years (23.17% vs 2.99% CAGR).
  • JNJ pays the higher dividend yield (2.18% vs 0.57%).

Which is better, JNJ or LLY?

Metric tally: JNJ 8 · LLY 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueJNJ(lower P/E)
GrowthLLY(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeJNJ(higher dividend yield)
QualityLLY(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricJNJLLY
P/E ratio27.8540.25
Forward P/E18.8725.41
P/S ratio6.1114.05
P/B ratio7.2532.54
PEG ratio0.210.49
EV / EBITDA18.7131.47
FCF yield3.02%1.34%

Profitability

MetricJNJLLY
Gross margin69.12%83.51%
Operating margin26.87%45.87%
Net margin21.83%34.98%
ROE25.92%81.01%
ROIC13.71%30.20%

Dividends

MetricJNJLLY
Dividend yield2.18%0.57%
Payout ratio47.51%28.09%

Growth (annualized)

MetricJNJLLY
Revenue CAGR (5Y)2.99%23.17%
EPS CAGR (5Y)11.51%28.88%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-2.38%19.54%
Total return CAGR (5Y)10.93%39.57%

Frequently asked

Which is better, JNJ or LLY?
It depends on your goal. value: JNJ (lower P/E); growth: LLY (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: JNJ (higher dividend yield); quality: LLY (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, LLY leads 9 to 8.
Is JNJ or LLY cheaper?
On trailing earnings, JNJ is cheaper: JNJ trades at a 27.85 P/E and LLY at 40.25.
Which has grown faster, JNJ or LLY?
Over the past five years, LLY grew revenue faster — JNJ at a 2.99% CAGR versus LLY at 23.17%.
Does JNJ or LLY pay a bigger dividend?
JNJ yields 2.18% and LLY yields 0.57% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is JNJ or LLY more profitable?
LLY runs the higher net margin — JNJ at 21.83% versus LLY at 34.98%.
Which has been the better investment, JNJ or LLY?
Over the past 10-year, LLY delivered the higher annualized total return — JNJ at 10.46% versus LLY at 33.50%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 13, 2026.