13 Cheap High Dividend Stocks To Invest In Now

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

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 86

Dividend Yield as of February 17: 3.90%

P/E Ratio: 12.53

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is a New Jersey-based global healthcare company that develops treatments for oncology, immunology, neuroscience, virology, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. The company also has an animal health division focused on veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and health management solutions. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is one of the best dividend stocks to invest in.

Merck’s cancer drug Keytruda is still a powerhouse, raking in $7.8 billion in Q4 2024, up 21% from last year. Meanwhile, the company’s new pulmonary arterial hypertension drug, Winrevair, is off to a strong start with $200 million in sales. Looking ahead, Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is banking on a pipeline of 20 potential blockbuster drugs for oncology, ophthalmology, and HIV, which they believe could bring in over $50 billion in revenue.

Merck remains committed to growing its dividend over time and prioritizing business development through value-driven deals. The company recently increased its share repurchase authorization by $10 billion, bringing the total to $12 billion. On January 28, Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) declared a $0.81 per share quarterly dividend, payable on April 7, to shareholders on record as of March 17.

According to Insider Monkey’s Q3 database, 86 hedge funds held stakes in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK), compared to 96 funds in the last quarter. Ken Fisher’s Fisher Asset Management was the biggest position holder in the company, with a stake worth $1.6 billion.