Merck (MRK)

Investors who are nervous about diving back into the stock market should just dip their toes in the water. Here are three reliable dividend stocks to consider.

Top 6 Stocks for December

By Sam Collins, InvestorPlace Chief Technical Analyst Nov 29, 2011

A focus on earnings strength and dividend increases place energy and retail at the top of this month’s list of stocks investors should be buying.

Merck CEO Pledges Drug Pipeline Will Yield Results in Both Short and Long Term

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer Nov 28, 2011

Merck CEO Kenneth Frazier acknowledges company's lagging stock, touts potential of numerous drugs in late development stages.

Pfizer Pushes to Keep Lipitor Profits Flowing

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer Nov 11, 2011

Efforts to preserve the lucrative cholesterol-drug's franchise have sparked an antitrust suit. But competition is inevitable.

10 Companies Increasing Dividends

By Jim Woods, Editor-in-Chief, Successful Investing, Intelligence Report, Bullseye Stock Trader Nov 11, 2011

Merck and ADP top the list of stocks increasing dividends this week. See eight other companies making shareholders smile.

Hepatitis C Drug Progress Puts Several Companies on Acquisition Watch

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer Nov 8, 2011

With their hepatitis C drugs showing promise in trials, these drug makers have become attractive targets for bigger pharma players.

9 Recession-Proof Biotech Stocks To Cure What Ails You

By Louis Navellier, Editor, Growth Investor Oct 26, 2011

Health care stocks stay firm during a down economy and investors should consider up-and-coming biotech stocks like Alexion, Alkermes, Biogen and Cepheid.

Top 10 Dow Dividend Stocks

By Jeff Reeves Oct 25, 2011

These 10 Dow Jones components are not just strong companies -- they are some of the best dividend-yielding stocks you can buy.

Should You Buy the Dow — Pfizer

By Lawrence Meyers, InvestorPlace Contributor Oct 24, 2011

Pfizer's financials are decent, as is its lineup of drugs and personal care products, but the stock is fully valued.

Big Pharma Might Already Have Sights on Abbott Spinoff

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer Oct 21, 2011

Abbott's Humira is a dollar-printing temptation for several companies, but Pfizer's tofacitinib could change the rheumatoid arthritis drug landscape.

Should You Buy the Dow — Merck

By Lawrence Meyers, InvestorPlace Contributor Oct 20, 2011

Merck is a strong, old company with a good dividend -- it suits retirement accounts fine, but regular traders might want to keep their distance.

Why Earnings ‘Expectations’ Are Nothing but Lies and BS

By Jeff Reeves Sep 30, 2011

Dozens of Wall Street "experts" put together earnings expectations, yet they collectively underestimate the companies a stunning 80% of the time. Here's why you shouldn't be surprised.

Give Bristol-Myers the Benefit Over Merck

By Peter Cohan, InvestorPlace Writer Sep 20, 2011

Bristol-Myers’ robust new drug portfolio could make it an acquisition target -- and an investing target for you -- but neither stock is a bargain.

Johnson & Johnson a Safe Play for Income

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer Sep 6, 2011

JNJ's financials are solid, and the company is making strides toward getting 11 new drugs approved by the end of 2015.

Vertex Scores Big With Hepatitis Drug

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer Aug 31, 2011

The company's new hepatitis C medication, Incivek, is outselling Merck's drug by 4-to-1. What's more, it's close to adding another drug to its arsenal.