Medtronic Nears Dividend King Status as Merck Prepares for Keytruda Patent Cliff
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Medtronic is a diversified medical device company with products across many therapeutic areas. It aims to grow in high potential areas like diabetes care.
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Medtronic has increased its dividends for 46 straight years and should become a Dividend King soon.
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Merck's top-selling cancer drug Keytruda faces a patent cliff, but Merck is preparing with a robust pipeline.
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Merck expects approval of sotatercept as a new PAH treatment, though it won't fully replace Keytruda sales.
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Both Medtronic and Merck are strong dividend payers, so they are stocks that can be held long-term.