Dow Review: Merck

The following video is part of our "Motley Fool Conversations" series, in which analyst John Reeves and advisor David Meier discuss topics across the investing world.

Over the next couple of weeks, John and David will be revisiting some calls they made on individual stocks of the Dow. Today, they take a closer look at Merck. This company is up a healthy 14% so far in 2012 compared with just a 3% or so gain for the Dow average as a whole. And this one pays a pretty hefty dividend, too. David made an underperform call on Merck earlier this year, so his prediction hasn't panned out so far. David still believes the blockbuster drug model is a tough one for companies like Merck. And the company is also under pressure from the generic-drug producers. For those reasons, David still stands by his underperform call on Merck over the long term.

Merck has shined lately, and it offers one of the highest yields in the Dow, too. If you'd like to learn about additional companies that pay outstanding dividend yields, The Motley Fool has compiled a special free report outlining our top nine dependable, dividend-paying stocks. It's called "Secure Your Future With 9 Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks." You can access your copy today at no cost! Just click here to discover the winners we've picked.

The article Dow Review: Merck originally appeared on Fool.com.

David Meierhas no positions in the stocks mentioned above.John Reeveshas no positions in the stocks mentioned above. The Motley Fool has no positions in the stocks mentioned above.Motley Fool newsletter services recommendPfizer and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries. Try any of our Foolish newsletter servicesfree for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe thatconsidering a diverse range of insightsmakes us better investors. The Motley Fool has adisclosure policy.

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