12 Best Consistent Dividend Stocks to Buy

2. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 91

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is a New Jersey-based multinational pharmaceutical company. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the company delivered strong financial results, with revenue rising 7% year-over-year to $15.6 billion. The company has expanded its footprint in specialty pharmaceuticals and oncology, with Keytruda playing a pivotal role in its cancer treatment portfolio and serving as a key driver of revenue growth. Its solid market position has allowed Merck to maintain a steady cash flow, reinforcing its commitment to returning value to shareholders.

For the full year, Keytruda sales surged 18% from the prior year, reaching $29.5 billion. The drug is projected to generate over $35 billion in revenue by 2028 before its patent expires, further solidifying Merck’s dominance in the immunotherapy market.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.81 per share, offering a dividend yield of 3.48%, as of March 22. With 14 consecutive years of dividend growth, it remains one of the best dividend stocks on the list.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) continues to make significant investments in research and development, focusing on cardiovascular and rare diseases to drive long-term growth. In addition, the healthcare sector’s resilience during economic downturns makes Merck an attractive investment, as demand for essential medications remains stable regardless of broader market conditions.