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Safer Dividend King to Buy Now: AbbVie or Johnson & Johnson?

This article compares AbbVie (ABBV) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), two healthcare giants with a combined 118-year history of consecutive dividend increases, to help investors decide which is the safer choice for income.

May 6, 2026
2 min read
Source: Motley Fool
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Key Numbers

dividend increase years combined
118

AbbVie (ABBV) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) are two of the most prominent dividend stocks in the healthcare sector, boasting a combined 118 years of consecutive dividend increases. This analysis compares the two to help investors determine which is the safer bet.

Key Comparison

MetricAbbVie (ABBV)Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Dividend Growth Streak52 consecutive years66 consecutive years
SectorHealthcare (Biopharma)Healthcare (Diversified)
Current Dividend Yield~4.5%~3%

Strengths

AbbVie

  • Higher Yield: Offers a higher dividend yield compared to JNJ.
  • Strong Growth: Benefits from a robust drug portfolio including Humira, Skyrizi, and Rinvoq.
  • Clear Focus: Concentrated on biopharmaceuticals, which can drive faster growth.

Johnson & Johnson

  • Greater Diversification: Operates across pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer health, reducing risk.
  • Longer History: 66 years of consecutive dividend increases, signaling stability.
  • Financial Strength: High credit rating and ability to weather economic downturns.

Risks

  • AbbVie: Heavy reliance on Humira, which faces biosimilar competition.
  • Johnson & Johnson: Ongoing litigation related to talc products, which could impact cash flows.

What This Means for Investors

The choice depends on individual goals. For higher yield and tolerance for risk, AbbVie may be suitable. For stability and diversification with a long dividend history, Johnson & Johnson is a solid option.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference is that AbbVie focuses on biopharmaceuticals with a higher dividend yield, while Johnson & Johnson is more diversified across healthcare sectors and has a longer dividend growth streak.

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This article was rewritten in Wrqti's editorial style based on information from the original source above. Content is informational only — not investment advice.