25 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy According to Billionaires

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

Number of Billionaire Investors: 16

Dividend Yield as of March 3: 3.50%

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is a New Jersey-based multinational pharmaceutical company that offers innovative health solutions to its consumers. The company reported revenue of $15.6 billion, marking a 7% increase from the same period a year earlier. The company has solidified its position in specialty pharmaceuticals and oncology, with its leading cancer treatment, Keytruda, playing a pivotal role in advancing cancer care while driving significant revenue growth. Its strong market presence has enabled Merck to generate robust cash flow, supporting shareholder returns. For fiscal 2024, Keytruda sales surged 18% year-over-year, reaching $29.5 billion.

On January 28, Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) announced a quarterly dividend of $0.81 per share, maintaining its previous payout. The company has consistently increased its dividends for 14 consecutive years, which makes it one of the best dividend stocks on our list. As of March 3, the stock has a dividend yield of 3.50%.

Since the start of 2025, Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) has declined by over 6% and in the past 12 months, it fell by nearly 25%. The recent decline in the stock price is largely due to the company’s revenue forecast for 2025, which came in below market expectations. It projected revenue between $64.1 billion and $65.6 billion, missing analysts’ estimates of $67.31 billion. In addition, the company’s outlook has been affected by the temporary halt in Gardasil shipments to China, though deliveries are anticipated to resume by mid-2025.