Got $1,000? 3 High-Yield Healthcare Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever
Key Takeaways
If you're looking for high-yield stocks in the healthcare sector, it's hard to beat this trio of industry giants offering yields of up to 3.9%.
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5 min read
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investment
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July 28, 2025
08:05 PM
The Motley Fool
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Market analysis reveals Interestingly, What's remarkable is Healthcare stocks aren't exactly known for offering large yields, with the average healthcare stock at just 1 (this bears monitoring)
You can do better than that and get reliable dividend stocks while you are at it (something worth watching)
All you need to do is buy Johnson & Johnson (JNJ -1. 28%), Medtronic (MDT -1
On the other hand, Conversely, 02%), and Merck (MRK -0
Additionally, 73%), and then hold them forever (which is quite significant), given the current landscape
Here's what you need to know (this bears monitoring)
On the other hand, Johnson & Johnson is a Dividend King When it comes to reliable dividend stocks, the highest honor that is bestowed on a company is the rank of Dividend King
A company has to increase its dividend annually for five decades to earn that title, given the current landscape
Johnson & Johnson's dividend streak is up to 63 years, which is the longest streak of any healthcare company, in today's financial world
Moreover, The dividend yield is an attractive 3, given current economic conditions
That yield is not only well above the healthcare average, it's also toward the high end of Johnson & Johnson's historical yield range
However, Meanwhile, Historically speaking, the stock looks it is on sale despite what is a very impressive and well-run
This analysis suggests that company is an industry-leading pharmaceutical and medical device maker
On the other hand, That said, there's a bit of uncertainty here today (remarkable data)
Johnson & Johnson is facing a fairly large class action lawsuit around talcum powder it sold
Additionally, It will ly survive through this, but the overhang of the suit could be a drag for a while (remarkable data)
If that doesn't bother you, though, jump in
One thousand dollars will get you around five s of Johnson & Johnson stock
At the same time, Image source: Getty Images
Medtronic is two years shy of being a Dividend King Medtronic has increased its dividend annually for 48 consecutive years (which is quite significant)
That's not as good as the streak Johnson & Johnson has built, but it is still pretty darn impressive
Additionally, Medtronic is focused exclusively on medical devices, and it has a dividend yield of roughly 3
Moreover, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic is one of the largest players in the sectors it serves
Furthermore, Medtronic's dividend yield also happens to be historically high right now
Un with Johnson & Johnson, however, the blems here don't involve a large class action lawsuit
Moreover, Medtronic's growth has slowed down, thanks at least in part to a period in which few new ducts were being introduced
Meanwhile, Management is working to fix the issue (fascinating analysis)
Moreover, For starters, new ducts are again starting to come to market (innovation is lumpy, so this isn't shocking)
What the re reveals is company is also attempting to refocus around its most desirable es
Moreover, The end result is ly to be a more fitable and faster-growing company, given current economic conditions
But for now, Wall Street remains in a "show me" mood, which is an opportunity for buy-and-hold dividend investors to jump aboard an industry-leading medical device maker while it has a historically attractive dividend yield
A $1K investment will net you roughly 10 s of Medtronic
Merck's dividend record is good, but not kingly Merck is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies on the planet
As noted, innovation is lumpy, and that's particularly true when it comes to drugs
Add in the fact that drug patents only allow exclusivity for so long, and there's always a cliff somewhere down the line for drugmakers with blockbuster ducts
Moreover, This analysis suggests that is the nature of Merck's, and there's nothing that can be done it
Additionally, Sometimes it just takes a little bit longer than hoped to find a new drug to replace the ones that are losing patent tections
What's actually impressive is that, despite the ups and downs, Merck has managed to keep its dividend growing over time (noteworthy indeed)
Moreover, That hasn't happened every single year -- there have been some lengthy periods when the dividend was static
But generally higher over time is still quite attractive when you add it to a historically high 3
In contrast, 9% or so dividend yield
There's no telling when Merck will find its next blockbuster
It may develop it in-house, or it might buy a company to acquire an attractive drug
But history suggests that buying and holding this giant drugmaker has been a win for dividend lovers with a holding period of "forever (quite telling). " $1,000 here will allow you to buy 11 s of Merck (an important development)
What are you really buying
Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, and Merck are all high-yield healthcare stocks with strong dividend records
But that's not really all you're buying here
On the other hand, The truth is, healthcare is a very complex sector, and these three industry giants are standout es (noteworthy indeed)
You may not be expert enough in healthcare to keep up with the innovation in the industry, but these three companies are experts
In other words, you're getting well-run es that are doing the heavy lifting in the healthcare sector so you don't have to be an expert, considering recent developments
Furthermore, Along with that, you're getting attractive dividend yields backed by solid dividend histories, considering recent developments.
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