India, Jan. 22 -- Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) released a profit for its fourth quarter that rose from last year.

The company's profit totaled $4.01 billion, or $1.50 per share. This compares with $3.04 billion, or $1.12 per share, in last year's fourth quarter.

Excluding items, Johnson & Johnson reported adjusted earnings of $5.03 billion or $1.88 per share for the period.

Analysts had expected the company to earn $1.87 per share, according to figures compiled by Thomson Reuters. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

The company's revenue for the quarter rose 1.8% to $20.75 billion from $20.39 billion last year.

Johnson & Johnson earnings at a glance:

-Earnings (Q4): $5.03 Bln. vs. $5.37 Bln. last year.-EPS (Q4): $1.88 vs. ...