Kenvue stock drops 13% on UK talcum lawsuit, UBS maintains neutral rating

Published 17/10/2025, 15:16
Kenvue stock drops 13% on UK talcum lawsuit, UBS maintains neutral rating

Investing.com - Kenvue Inc (NYSE:KVUE) shares fell 13% following reports of a UK class action lawsuit alleging Johnson & Johnson’s talcum products cause cancer, with Kenvue named as a codefendant.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of 2,000 plaintiffs who were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, or other diseases they linked to baby powder usage between 1965 and 2023. Kenvue maintained liability for talc-related litigation outside the United States and Canada following its split from Johnson & Johnson.

UBS reiterated its Neutral rating on Kenvue stock with a price target of $17.00. The firm noted that while investors have been aware of this risk, the lawsuit adds another layer of complexity for a company already dealing with multiple internal and external challenges. InvestingPro analysis suggests the stock is currently undervalued, with 12 additional exclusive ProTips available to subscribers.

UBS described the market reaction as an apparent overreaction given the perceived size of the current liability. The firm suggested that fear of the unknown is likely contributing to the sell-off.

The UK legal action comes as Kenvue has also been dealing with recent headlines related to its Tylenol product line, further complicating the company’s situation.

In other recent news, Kenvue Inc . has been facing significant legal and operational challenges. Canaccord Genuity reiterated its Buy rating on Kenvue with a price target of $26.00, despite a UK talc lawsuit involving claims amounting to approximately $1.3 billion. The company clarified that fewer than 2,000 claimants are involved, contrary to media reports suggesting over 3,000. In another development, Moody’s changed Kenvue’s outlook to negative from stable, citing operational challenges that have pressured the company’s performance and led to a lowered full-year guidance. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump issued warnings against the use of Tylenol during pregnancy and childhood, although the European Medicines Agency found no evidence linking paracetamol (Tylenol) use during pregnancy to autism. Despite these concerns, Barclays maintained its Equalweight rating on Kenvue, with a price target of $20.00. The FDA has begun the process of changing Tylenol’s safety label following the administration’s briefing on potential links to autism. These developments highlight the ongoing scrutiny and challenges Kenvue is navigating.

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