NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.—Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) posted solid results for the period ending June 30, 2019. The health care giant reported net earnings of $5,607 million for the second quarter versus $3,954 million in the year-ago period, a 41.8 percent increase. Sales totaled $20,562 million compared with $20,830 year ago, a 1.3 percent dip. However, adjusted operational sales, excluding the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures, rose 3.7 percent. "We delivered solid second-quarter underlying sales growth and strong earnings growth that enables us to make investments in innovation to accelerate performance in each of our businesses," said Alex Gorsky, chairman and CEO.

"Our pipelines continue to progress with the launch of new products and several regulatory submissions and approvals, which positions us well to deliver the next wave of transformational products and solutions.”

U.S. sales slipped from $10,403 million compared with $10,640 year ago. International sales decreased 0.3 percent, to $10,159 million.

Worldwide operational sales for Johnson & Johnson’s medical devices unit, excluding the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures grew 3.2 percent, to $6.489 million. J&J’s worldwide vision business decreased 1.0 percent from year ago, to $1,161 million. In the U.S., sales of vision products rose 0.4 percent, to $461 million, while international vision sales dropped 2.0 percent to $701 million.

Contact lens sales totaled $842 million worldwide, down 0.3 percent from year ago. In the U.S., contact lens sales climbed 3.9 percent, to $333 million. Internationally, contact lens sales decreased 2.0 percent from year ago, to $509 million.