Johnson & Johnson declared a quarterly dividend of $1.34 per share for the third quarter of 2026. The payment is scheduled for September 8, 2026, to shareholders of record on August 25, 2026. The declaration extends one of the longest active dividend growth streaks in the healthcare sector.
The setup
JNJ has raised its dividend annually for more than six decades. The $1.34 per share rate matches the company’s recent quarterly pattern and reflects management confidence in stable pharmaceutical and medical device cash flows. At recent prices near $180 per share, the stock yields approximately 2.5 to 3.0 percent.
The healthcare giant operates through two primary segments. Innovative Medicine produces pharmaceuticals for immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and infectious diseases. MedTech supplies surgical robotics, orthopedics, and vision care products. Both divisions generate free cash flow that supports the dividend and ongoing research investment.
The August 25, 2026 record date means investors must own shares before the ex-dividend date to receive the September payment. JNJ typically trades ex-dividend two business days before the record date, which would place the ex-date near August 21, 2026.
Key numbers
| Metric | Value |
| Quarterly dividend per share | $1.34 |
| Annualized dividend rate | $5.36 |
| Payment date | September 8, 2026 |
| Record date | August 25, 2026 |
| Estimated yield at $180 | ~2.98% |
| Consecutive years of dividend growth | 62+ years |
| Shares per $100K invested | ~556 |
| Annual income per $100K | ~$2,980 |
The annualized rate of $5.36 per share translates into meaningful income for retirees and conservative investors. A shareholder with $100,000 invested at approximately $180 per share would hold roughly 556 shares and collect about $2,980 annually in dividend income before taxes.
That income figure assumes the share price remains stable. In practice, JNJ shares have traded in a relatively narrow range compared to the broader market, which reduces the volatility of total return for income-focused holders.
What to watch
Investors should monitor several factors that could affect JNJ’s dividend trajectory over the next twelve to eighteen months. First, the company faces ongoing talc litigation liabilities that periodically create headline risk and settlement costs. Management has reserved for these matters, but unexpected verdicts could pressure cash flow.
Second, pharmaceutical patent expirations on key drugs create a revenue cliff that JNJ must backfill with new product launches. The Innovative Medicine pipeline includes candidates in multiple therapeutic areas, but regulatory approval timing remains uncertain.
Third, interest rate movements affect the relative attractiveness of dividend stocks versus fixed income alternatives. If Treasury yields remain elevated, some income investors may shift capital away from equities with sub-3 percent yields toward bonds with higher coupon rates.
Bottom line
Johnson & Johnson remains a benchmark dividend stock for conservative portfolios. The $1.34 quarterly payment, the 62-year growth streak, and the diversified healthcare business model all support its status as a Dividend King. Income investors who value stability over high yield will find JNJ’s predictable cash flows and moderate valuation appealing.
The September 2026 payment date gives existing shareholders a near-term income event to anticipate. New investors evaluating the stock should compare its total return profile against healthcare sector peers and broader market indices before building a position.
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