Market Overview - The market is attempting to recover from recent losses, particularly in tech and crypto sectors, as investors await upcoming U.S. data before the Thanksgiving holiday [1] - Historically, Thanksgiving week has been positive for stocks, with the S&P 500 showing a median gain of 0.76% since 1945 [2] - Money markets indicate a 75% chance of the Federal Reserve cutting rates in December, influenced by dovish comments from policymakers [2] Investment Strategy - Lower interest rates typically reduce borrowing costs, encouraging business expansion and consumer spending, which is favorable for medium-term investments [3] - Investors should consider several factors when selecting companies, including stock performance, profitability, sales trends, debt levels, price-to-earnings ratio, and dividend payments [4] Methodology for Stock Selection - A Finviz screener was used to identify dividend stocks with over 10% average revenue growth over the past five years, focusing on companies with consistent sales growth [6] - Stocks with a five-year average payout ratio under 60% were selected, indicating a strong cash position [6] Company Highlights Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) - Merck has a 5-year average annual revenue growth rate of 10.5% and reported Q3 2025 revenue of $17.3 billion, up 4% year-over-year [9][11] - KEYTRUDA sales grew 10% to $8.1 billion, and the company expects worldwide revenue to reach between $64.5 billion and $65 billion [11] - New product approvals and a robust pipeline with over 80 active clinical trials support growth, with notable sales from Winrevair and Capvaxive [12][13] Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG) - Arthur J. Gallagher has a 5-year average annual revenue growth rate of 10.54% and reported Q3 2025 revenue of $3.3 billion, up nearly 20% year-over-year [14][15] - The company has completed significant acquisitions, including Tompkins Insurance Agencies and AssuredPartners for approximately $13.8 billion [16][17] JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) - JPMorgan Chase has a 5-year average annual revenue growth rate of 10.65% and reported Q3 2025 revenue of $47.1 billion, up 10.4% year-over-year [18][19] - The company achieved a 20% return on tangible common equity (ROTCE), indicating strong profitability [19] - Recent agreements with fintech companies will enhance its data access capabilities [20][21]