What is Considered a Good Stock Dividend? 2 Healthcare Stocks That Fit the Bill.

Core Insights - The article discusses the characteristics of good dividend stocks, emphasizing the balance between dividend yield and growth track record [1][2] Dividend Performance - Over the last 50 years, S&P 500 companies that increased their dividends delivered a 10.2% average annual return, while those with no change returned 6.8% annually [2] - Companies with higher dividend payout ratios outperformed the market more often than those with lower ratios [2] Company Profiles Johnson & Johnson - Johnson & Johnson has a dividend yield of 2.2%, nearly double the S&P 500's yield of 1.2% [5] - The company has a record of increasing its dividend for 63 consecutive years, qualifying it as a Dividend King [5] - Johnson & Johnson generated $20 billion in free cash flow last year, covering its $12.4 billion in dividends [6] - The company invested $14.7 billion in R&D last year and completed a $14.6 billion acquisition of Intra-Cellular Therapies [8] Medtronic - Medtronic has a dividend yield of 2.8% and delivered its 48th consecutive annual dividend increase last year [9] - The company generated $5.2 billion in free cash flow during its 2025 fiscal year, covering the $3.6 billion in dividends paid out [11] - Medtronic invested $2.7 billion in R&D and agreed to acquire Cathworks for $585 million to enhance its growth profile [12] Investment Consideration - Both Johnson & Johnson and Medtronic are highlighted as strong dividend stocks due to their high-yielding and steadily growing dividends, making them suitable for income portfolios [13]