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Published Wed, 16 Apr 2014 23:00 CET by DividendYields.org

The healthcare sector offers one of the best opportunities for investors. This is because health is not a luxury, and for some people it is a constant expense in their budgets.
Over the years, several companies have joined the market in different capacities and with various distinct target markets. While biotechnology companies are considered high reward speculative opportunities, large drug manufacturers like U.S.A’s Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) and U.K’s GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) offer stability and continuous payout in terms of dividends.
Over the last few years these two, along with Baxter International (NYSE: BAX), have shown resilience in their quest to grow dividends and maintain compelling yields. Now, these three form some of the most attractive dividend stocks in the healthcare sector.

Johnson & Johnson
The U.S-based drug manufacturer offers investors a 2.66% dividend yield, based on its current stock price of $99.20 per share. This is after cruising 22.39% over the last 12 months.
Johnson & Johnson enjoys a wide economic moat, is well diversified and offers several products related to human health and hygiene. This provides the stability needed for dividend stocks, to prevent earnings and dividends from falling massively when one business segment performs poorly.
The company’s payout ratio of 54% is within the recommended threshold of not more than 60%, which means there is enough margin of safety to maintain a healthy dividend.
Johnson & Johnson earnings are expected to grow by 7.72% over the next 12 months, and at a compound annual growth rate “CAGR” of 5.96% over the next five years. In this case, the company’s expected 7.49% dividend growth rate for the next five years implies that, at some point, it might have to increase the payout ratio.

GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline is probably the most attractive dividend stock in the healthcare sector. The company offers compelling dividend yield of 5.73% and almost unmatched earnings growth rates for the next five years at 9.30%. Based on these figures, the company’s dividend yield is expected to grow by 4.23%.
GlaxoSmithKline earnings per share are expected to grow by 9.26% for the next one year.
Now, based on the company’s projected dividend growth rate compared to earnings growth rate, it appears as though the payout ratio could be cut significantly. This is positive for the company as it currently pays out 66% of its earnings as dividend, which is slightly above the recommended maximum rate.
Unlike Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline’s price is only up about 5.95% over the last twelve months. However, its huge dividend yield has been a terrific example of how dividend stocks could differ from income stocks.

Baxter International
This is the smallest of the three healthcare giants. However, its market cap of more than $40 billion makes it a giant in its own respect. Therefore, it offers significant financial stability to investors.
When compared with is counterparts, Baxter International offers the best option for investors looking to reap more in term of dividends over the next five years. Its dividend is expected to grow by an average of 15.47% over the next five years. This means that the current quarterly dividend per share of $0.49 could rise to $0.56 next year.
The company’s payout ratio of 52% is also the best among the three companies. Baxter International operates in a slightly different industry from its two counterparts.
The medical instruments and supplies provider is also expected to enjoy significant earnings growth over the next five years at about 7.45% CAGR, which again is a clear signal for sustainable dividend payments.

Conclusion


While GlaxoSmithKline offers the best dividend yield at current prices, Baxter International appears to be a compelling candidate for that tag in the coming years.
On the other hand, Johnson & Johnson enjoys wide economic moat and the best 12-month returns for those who might consider offloading some holding for cash, compared to GlaxoSmithKline’s 5.95%, and Baxter’s 3.47%.
Overall, they all appear to be some excellent dividend stocks to consider in 2014.