The Motley Foolยท2025-09-14 11:15Core Viewpoint - The healthcare sector, particularly dividend-paying stocks like Amgen and Merck, presents solid investment opportunities due to their non-cyclical nature and consistent revenue generation even in challenging economic conditions [1][2]. Group 1: Amgen - Amgen is a leading biotech company with a diverse portfolio of over two dozen products, many of which are blockbuster drugs generating over $1 billion in annual sales [4]. - The company reported a 9% year-over-year revenue growth in Q2, reaching $9.2 billion, with non-GAAP earnings per share at $6.02, a 21% increase from the previous year [6]. - Amgen faces patent cliffs and biosimilar competition but has strong growth drivers, including Tezspire for asthma, which saw a 46% year-over-year sales increase to $342 million [7][8]. - The company has a robust dividend profile with a forward yield of 3.4%, having increased its payouts annually since 2011 [9]. Group 2: Merck - Merck is experiencing increased competition for its cancer drug Keytruda, with patent exclusivity expiring in 2028, and has faced declining sales in its vaccine franchise due to paused shipments in China [10][11]. - In Q2, Merck's revenue declined by 2% year-over-year to $15.8 billion [11]. - The company is developing a subcutaneous version of Keytruda to extend its patent life and has received approval for new products like Winrevair for pulmonary arterial hypertension [12][13]. - Merck's forward yield is currently at 3.9%, with an 88.8% increase in dividends over the past decade, making it an attractive option for dividend investors despite current challenges [15].