In this article, we discuss 5 best healthcare dividend stocks to buy now. If you want to read our detailed analysis of the healthcare sector and the past performance of dividend stocks, go directly to read 12 Best Healthcare Dividend Stocks To Buy Now.
5. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 84
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is a diversified global healthcare company known for its presence across various sectors within the healthcare industry. The company pays a quarterly dividend of $1.19 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.00%, as of December 5. The company holds one of the longest dividend growth streaks in the market, spanning over 61 consecutive years. JNJ is one of the best dividend stocks on our list from the healthcare sector.
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) was a part of 84 hedge fund portfolios in the third quarter of 2023, down from 88 in the previous quarter, as per Insider Monkey’s database. The collective value of these stakes is over $4.15 billion.
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4. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 85
Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is an American pharmaceutical company renowned for its contributions to healthcare and research. The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.77 per share on November 28, having raised it by 5.5%. Through this increase, the company took its dividend growth streak to 12 years, which makes MRK one of the best dividend stocks on our list. As of December 5, the stock has a dividend yield of 2.93%.
The number of hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey reported having stakes in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) grew to 85 in Q3 2023, from 78 in the previous quarter. The collective value of these stakes is over $5.06 billion. Among these hedge funds, Fisher Asset Management was the company’s leading stakeholder in Q3.
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Follow Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK)
3. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 102
An American pharmaceutical company, Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) is next on our list of the best dividend stocks from the healthcare sector. The company currently offers a quarterly dividend of $1.13 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.77%, as of December 5. It is one of the best dividend stocks on our list as the company has been raising its dividends for the past 138 years.
As of the close of Q3 2023, 102 hedge funds in Insider Monkey’s database owned stakes in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY), growing from 87 in the preceding quarter. The consolidated value of these stakes is over $9 billion.
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Follow Eli Lilly & Co (NYSE:LLY)
2. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 104
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) is a diversified healthcare company that operates across several segments within the healthcare industry. The company has been growing its dividends consistently for the past 13 years and currently offers a quarterly dividend of $1.88 per share. The stock’s dividend yield on December 5 came in at 1.37%.
As of the end of the September quarter of 2023, 104 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey owned stakes in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH), down from 111 in the previous quarter. The collective value of these stakes is roughly $10.9 billion.
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1. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 109
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO) tops our list of the best dividend stocks from the healthcare sector. The company operates in the fields of scientific research, laboratory equipment, analytical instruments, and healthcare services. It currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.35 per share, having raised its payout by 17% in February this year. This marked the company’s sixth consecutive year of dividend growth. The stock’s dividend yield on December 5 came in at 0.28%.
The number of hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey owning stakes in Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO) jumped to 109 at the end of Q3 2023, from 103 in the previous quarter. The consolidated value of these stakes is roughly $9 billion.
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Follow Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO)
You can also take a look at 12 Best Virtual Reality Stocks To Buy Heading into 2024 and Bill Gates’ 10 Stock Picks with Huge Upside Potential
