Intuitive Surgical vs Johnson & Johnson (ISRG vs JNJ)
Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) vs Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.
Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) compete in healthcare and pharma. Here are Intuitive Surgical and Johnson & Johnson side by side with their real figures as of November 4, 2026: what sets them apart, which fits each kind of investor and the most common questions, without telling you whether to buy Intuitive Surgical or Johnson & Johnson.
Intuitive Surgical vs Johnson & Johnson: the figures
| Figure | Intuitive Surgical | Johnson & Johnson |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $482.10 (November 4, 2026) | $276.32 (November 4, 2026) |
| Market cap | $170.3 billion | $665.2 billion |
| P/E (TTM) | 58.3x | 41.9x |
| Forward P/E | 38.7x | 23.8x |
| Revenue growth (quarter) | +21.7% | +5.9% |
| Net margin (TTM) | 25.5% | 16.2% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | Net cash | 0.8x |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 2.01% |
| Beta | 1.44 | 0.20 |
Intuitive Surgical and Johnson & Johnson figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that Intuitive Surgical or Johnson & Johnson figure is not available, and we never estimate it.
3 key differences between Intuitive Surgical and Johnson & Johnson
- Volatility: Intuitive Surgical stock moves more (beta 1.44) than Johnson & Johnson (beta 0.20); the higher the beta, the more it amplifies market swings.
- Growth: Intuitive Surgical grew sales +21.7% year on year in its latest quarter, against +5.9% for Johnson & Johnson.
- Valuation: Intuitive Surgical trades at 58.3x its annual earnings and Johnson & Johnson at 41.9x; the market pays more for each dollar of Intuitive Surgical profit, usually because it expects more growth.
Intuitive Surgical or Johnson & Johnson: which fits your profile
- If you want growth: Intuitive Surgical is growing faster today, so it fits better with investors who put business growth first, usually accepting a higher P/E and a bumpier ride.
- If you want income (dividends): Johnson & Johnson pays the higher dividend relative to its price.
- If you prefer caution: Intuitive Surgical has less debt relative to its profit, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
- If price is what matters most to you: Johnson & Johnson trades on the lower P/E; check first whether that is an opportunity or a sign of a business that grows less.
Neither Intuitive Surgical nor Johnson & Johnson wins on everything, and owning both is also an option: spreading money across several companies or an index fund reduces what rides on each one.
How Intuitive Surgical and Johnson & Johnson make money
Intuitive Surgical (ISRG)
Intuitive Surgical sells the da Vinci surgical robot and the Ion lung biopsy system to hospitals. Its biggest revenue source is instruments and accessories used up in each procedure, followed by system sales and leases and service contracts. The United States is its main market, with growing international sales. Full Intuitive Surgical analysis.
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Johnson & Johnson reports two segments. Innovative Medicine, the larger, sells drugs such as Darzalex, Stelara, Tremfya, Erleada and Carvykti across oncology, immunology and neuroscience. MedTech sells orthopedic devices through DePuy Synthes, surgical tools, cardiovascular products from Abiomed and Shockwave, and vision care. The U.S. is its largest market. Full Johnson & Johnson analysis.
Frequently asked questions: Intuitive Surgical vs Johnson & Johnson
Is Intuitive Surgical or Johnson & Johnson the better stock?
Choosing between Intuitive Surgical and Johnson & Johnson depends on what you are looking for. Intuitive Surgical is growing faster right now, and Johnson & Johnson trades on the lower P/E. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy Intuitive Surgical or Johnson & Johnson: it shows you the differences so you can decide.
Which pays a higher dividend, Intuitive Surgical or Johnson & Johnson?
As of November 4, 2026, Johnson & Johnson yields 2.01% and Intuitive Surgical pays none. Also check how much of their profit Intuitive Surgical and Johnson & Johnson pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.
Which is more expensive, Intuitive Surgical or Johnson & Johnson?
On P/E, Intuitive Surgical (58.3x) is more expensive than Johnson & Johnson (41.9x) as of November 4, 2026. A higher P/E can be justified if earnings grow faster, so compare it with each company's growth in the table.
Can I own both Intuitive Surgical and Johnson & Johnson?
Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as Intuitive Surgical and Johnson & Johnson, or use index funds so they do not depend on just one. If you are starting out, decide how much you want to invest and for how long before buying Intuitive Surgical or Johnson & Johnson.
More comparisons with Intuitive Surgical or Johnson & Johnson
- Intuitive Surgical vs Medtronic
- Intuitive Surgical vs Merck
- Intuitive Surgical vs Eli Lilly
- Johnson & Johnson vs Medtronic
More companies like Intuitive Surgical and Johnson & Johnson: healthcare and pharma stocks. Educational content about Intuitive Surgical and Johnson & Johnson, not investment advice.