In this article, we will take a look at some of the best dividend stocks from the healthcare sector.
The US healthcare sector has been at the forefront since the emergence of COVID-19 in 2020, leading to a significant transformation in the industry. The rise of telehealth, virtual consultations, and technological advancements has reshaped the way healthcare services are delivered.
Over the past two decades, the healthcare sector has expanded considerably in relation to the broader economy, as reflected in its growing share of gross domestic product (GDP). According to a report by CNBC, in 2003, healthcare spending made up 15.7% of US GDP, increasing by approximately 1.7 percentage points over the next decade to reach 17.4% in 2013. Today, it is estimated at around 18.4% of GDP, and projections from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services suggest it could rise to 20% by 2030. This steady increase is driven by several factors, including rising demand for healthcare services, advancements in medical technology, and escalating costs. The aging population, particularly as baby boomers retire, has significantly increased the need for medical care, while longer life expectancies have resulted in prolonged healthcare utilization. In addition, the prevalence of chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity has contributed to rising costs. The latest breakthroughs in diagnostics, treatments, and pharmaceuticals—though beneficial—often come with higher expenses, further fueling the sector’s expansion.
The healthcare industry’s share of the overall economy has expanded, with healthcare companies experiencing faster revenue growth than the broader market in the past five years. During this period, healthcare sector revenues have increased by nearly 61%, compared to just over 38% growth for the broader market as a whole, as reported by CNBC. However, despite this strong revenue performance, the healthcare sector has lagged behind the broader market index, which has been driven by the rapid expansion of the technology sector.
The healthcare sector faced a turbulent year in 2024. During the first half, investors gravitated toward industries such as technology and communication services, particularly those linked to the growing influence of AI, leaving healthcare stocks trailing behind. However, as the market rally broadened in the second half of the year, healthcare stocks saw some recovery, though certain segments continued to struggle with lingering supply-and-demand imbalances from the pandemic. Beyond these challenges, fundamental issues and policy uncertainties created additional obstacles for parts of the sector. While some regulatory pressures may ease with the incoming administration, others—such as drug pricing concerns—are expected to remain a persistent issue.
On a positive note, innovation remained robust throughout the year. Biotech companies delivered a series of encouraging clinical updates while growing enthusiasm for new treatments targeting obesity and diabetes contributed to an increase in pharmaceutical firms’ market valuations. A Fidelity report suggested that the healthcare sector is well-positioned for growth in 2025. The industry benefits from strengthening business fundamentals, such as rising cash flows, and encompasses a diverse range of segments that offer a blend of defensive stability and growth potential, making it appealing across different market conditions.
The healthcare sector is also attracting attention due to its rising dividend payouts. In the third quarter of 2024, total dividends distributed by the global healthcare industry reached $25.7 billion, up from $18.7 billion in Q3 2018, reflecting steady growth in shareholder returns, according to a report by Janus Henderson. Given this, we will take a look at some of the best dividend stocks in the healthcare sector.
Our Methodology
For this list, we scanned Insider Monkey’s database of Q4 2024 and picked healthcare dividend companies. From that list, we chose healthcare stocks with a strong track record of paying dividends to shareholders, which makes them resilient in the current environment. The stocks are ranked in ascending order of the hedge fund investors owning stakes in them, according to Insider Monkey’s database of Q4 2024.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
13. Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 72
Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) is an American multinational biopharmaceutical company, headquartered in California. The company’s portfolio includes notable treatments such as Tezspire, designed for asthma, and Tepezza, a medication for thyroid eye disease (TED). Tezspire is still undergoing multiple clinical trials, with the potential for expanded indications. Meanwhile, Tepezza remains the only FDA-approved treatment for TED in the US, and Amgen has been working to introduce it in additional markets.
These two drugs represent just a portion of Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN)’s extensive lineup of approved therapies, which positions the company for continued revenue and earnings growth in the coming years. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the company reported $9.1 billion in revenue, marking an 11% increase from the prior year period and surpassing analysts’ expectations by $216.5 million. Product sales also climbed 11%, primarily driven by a 14% increase in volume. Excluding contributions from the Horizon Therapeutics acquisition, sales grew by 10%, with volume expanding by 15%.
Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) is also popular among investors because of its strong dividend policy. The company offers a quarterly dividend of $2.38 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.03%, as of March 20. It maintained a steady cash position in the latest quarter. The company generated $4.4 billion in free cash flow, a significant increase from $300 million in the same period the previous year. Operating cash flow also saw a sharp rise, reaching $4.8 billion compared to $500 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. In addition, Amgen distributed $1.2 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends during the quarter. AMGN is one of the best dividend stocks on our list as the company has raised its payouts for 13 consecutive years.
12. Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 73
Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) is an American health insurance company that offers a wide range of related services to its consumers. Formerly known as Anthem, the company manages Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans across 14 states while holding a license to offer health insurance nationwide. In addition to its insurance operations, Elevance Health runs CarelonRx, a pharmacy benefits manager, and Carelon Services, which provides a range of healthcare solutions, including behavioral health, wellness programs, integrated care delivery, palliative care, and utilization management.
Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV)’s health benefits division—which includes individual and employer group plans, BlueCard, Medicare, Medicaid, and federal health programs—accounts for approximately 88% of its total revenue. However, its fastest-growing segment is Carelon Services. Since the start of 2025, the stock has surged by nearly 18.5%.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) reported revenue of $45 billion, which showed a 6% growth from the same period last year. This revenue growth was primarily fueled by higher premium rates in the Health Benefits segment, contributions from acquisitions completed in 2024, and an increase in CarelonRx product sales. However, these gains were partially offset by a decline in Medicaid membership. The revenue also beat analysts’ estimates by $271.8 million.
Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV)’s cash position also came in strong. The company generated an operating cash flow of $5.8 billion in 2024. Its cash and investments came in at $2.4 billion. Due to this cash generation, the company was able to distribute dividends worth $373 million in Q4. On January 23, it declared a 4.9% hike in its quarterly dividend to $1.71 per share. Through this increase, the company stretched its dividend growth streak to 13 years, which makes ELV one of the best dividend stocks on our list. As of March 20, the stock has a dividend yield of 1.59%.
11. CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 74
CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) is an American healthcare company that offers advanced health care from pharmacy services and health plans to health and wellness. The stock is outperforming the broader market with a wide margin, surging by over 54% since the start of 2025, whereas the market has entered into negative territory. The news may have been a welcome surprise, given the company’s struggles last year, when it consistently fell short of expectations. These challenges ultimately resulted in a leadership change, with David Joyner replacing Karen Lynch as CEO. This past quarter marked his first full period in charge. With new leadership in place, investor sentiment may be improving, potentially leading to more stable quarterly results.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) reported $97.7 billion in revenues, up 4.2% from the same period last year. GAAP diluted EPS dropped to $1.30 from $1.58 in the previous year, while adjusted EPS declined to $1.19 from $2.12. The decrease was largely driven by weaker performance in the Health Care Benefits segment, which was impacted by ongoing utilization pressure and the negative effects of the company’s Medicare Advantage star ratings for the 2024 payment year.
CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) is one of the best dividend stocks on our list with a solid cash position. The company ended the year with nearly $8.6 billion in cash and cash equivalents. Its operating cash flow for FY24 came in at over $9.1 billion. The company has been making regular dividends to shareholders since 1997. Currently, it offers a quarterly dividend of $0.665 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.90%, as of March 20.
