The Motley Fool·2025-11-30 09:05Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the potential rewards for investors who remain committed to dividend-paying healthcare stocks, specifically highlighting Bristol Myers Squibb and Johnson & Johnson as strong candidates for income investing. Group 1: Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY) - Bristol Myers Squibb has faced challenges due to patent expirations, particularly for its cancer drug Opdivo and anticoagulant Eliquis, which will lose exclusivity by the end of the decade [3][4] - The company has launched new products, including a subcutaneous version of Opdivo and Reblozyl for anemia, which are expected to drive sales growth [4][6] - In Q3, total revenue increased by 3% year-over-year to $12.2 billion, with the growth portfolio reporting an 18% increase in sales to $6.9 billion [6] - Bristol Myers Squibb has a strong pipeline with numerous products in development, particularly in oncology, including BNT327 in collaboration with BioNTech [7] - The stock offers a forward dividend yield of 5.1%, and the company has increased its payouts by 63.2% over the past decade, making it attractive for income-seeking investors [8] Group 2: Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) - Johnson & Johnson has encountered patent cliffs, legal challenges, and government drug-price negotiations but has still performed well, with Q3 sales rising by 6.8% year-over-year to $24 billion [9] - The company is focused on innovation to navigate challenges, recently launching Imaavy for myasthenia gravis and the AI-powered Virtuguide System for medtech applications [10][12] - Johnson & Johnson boasts a strong balance sheet with the highest credit rating available, indicating its ability to manage obligations and legal issues [13] - The company is recognized as a Dividend King, having raised its payouts for 63 consecutive years, making it a reliable income stock [14][15]