J&J: A Rock-Solid Dividend Play with 64 Years of Uninterrupted Growth

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) has been named as one of the top dividend stocks to buy right now. The company's commitment to raising its dividend annually for 64 consecutive years is a testament to its stability and reliability.

The quarterly per-share dividend was recently increased from $1.30 to $1.34, representing a 3.1% increase. This brings the annual dividend to around $5.36 per share, with a yield near 2% at current prices.

Johnson & Johnson's business is diversified across two main areas: Innovative Medicine and MedTech. The pharma side focuses on oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and cardiopulmonary diseases, while the MedTech side produces devices and surgical tools used in cardiovascular care, orthopedics, and vision care.

The company's breadth and diversification are key advantages for a dividend investor. J&J does not rely on one blockbuster drug or device category to fund its payout, instead spreading risk across many therapies and technologies.