4 Healthcare Stocks Keep Raising Dividends Through Every Recession

Four healthcare companies have managed to raise their dividends through both recessions in the past two decades, making them attractive options for income investors. According to 24/7 Wall St, these companies are Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Abbott Laboratories (ABT), Medtronic (MDT), and Becton, Dickinson (BDX). Their ability to maintain their dividend payments despite the economic downturns is a testament to their resilience and strength in the industry.

Johnson & Johnson has been paying uninterrupted quarterly dividends since 1999 and has raised its dividend for 64 consecutive years. The company's $21 billion in cash and marketable securities, as well as its free cash flow of $8.7 billion, provide a solid foundation for its dividend payments.

Abbott Laboratories is another Dividend Aristocrat with a 54-year streak of uninterrupted quarterly dividends. The company's low beta of 0.581 makes it an attractive option for defensive investors, and its 4.8% comparable sales growth in Q2 is a positive sign.

MEDtronic has been raising its dividend for 49 consecutive years, and its free cash flow was $5.4 billion in fiscal 2026, the strongest it has been since 2022. The company's forward P/E of 15 is lower than its peers, making it a more attractive option for income investors.

Becton, Dickinson rounds out this group with a 45% increase in year-to-date free cash flow and a $1.7 billion return to shareholders via dividends and buybacks.