JNJ sheds light on why its settling some opioid cases instead of fighting in court

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) is feeling the heat on all sides, as it fends off lawsuits related to its involvement in the opioid crisis and ongoing controversies over its iconic baby powder.

On Friday, the stock tumbled after the company issued a partial voluntary recall, after traces of asbestos were found in a “single lot” of baby powder. The news momentarily stole the shine from a third quarter earnings report that defied expectations, even as mega-sized opioid settlements proliferate around the country.