Johnson & Johnson posts strong Q1 financial results

Johnson & Johnson has posted its financial results for the first quarter of 2015.

These were above initial expectations, but its full-year estimates have now been lowered due to fluctuations relating to the value of the US dollar.

Johnson & Johnson predicted that its sales for the January to March period would come in at $17.32 billion (11.75 billion pounds), but revenue of $17.4 billion was recorded for the quarter, exceeding expectations. However, this marked a fall of 4.1 percent in comparison to the same three month-period of 2014.

Domestic sales increased by 5.9 percent during the quarter, while international sales suffered, dropping by 12.4 percent.

More specifically, the company's new cancer drug Imbruvica, its diabetes treatment Invokana and its biologics Stelara and Simponi performed particularly well in terms of sales, helping to boost the firm's profits.

What's more, Johnson & Johnson's share prices reached $1.56 in value during the first quarter of the year, up from the initial estimate of $1.53.