Don't Be Fooled By This Dow Impostor

Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and Merck are part of the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index, and Merck has been the best health-care performer so far in 2012. Its year-to-date 18% share price appreciation beats out its rival drug makers, and even the Dow's collective 11% rise.

In the video below, healthcare bureau chief Brenton Flynn and analyst Max Macaluso discuss the driving force behind Merck's recent success, a few things that investors should be watching in upcoming quarters, and the German drugmaker that shares Merck's name, but operates as a separate company.

Merck has been on the upswing of late, but it didn't make the Motley Fool's list of the The 3 Dow Stocks Dividend Investors Need. This is a great resource for investors looking to boost their portfolios with long-term Blue Chip stocks. This report is absolutely free -- just click here and get your copy today.

The article Don't Be Fooled By This Dow Impostor originally appeared on Fool.com.

Brenton Flynn has no positions in the stocks mentioned above. Max Macaluso has no positions in the stocks mentioned above. The Motley Fool owns shares of Johnson & Johnson. Motley Fool newsletter services recommend Johnson & Johnson. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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