Meet the Dividend King With a Higher Credit Rating Than the U.S. Government

2026-05-19 07:50:00 ET

We live in pretty volatile times marked by macroeconomic conflicts and worsening inflation, among other things. Equity markets have fared well this year despite these challenges, but it's always a good idea to prepare for market downturns by investing in robust companies that can navigate any environment. One top stock to consider investing in right now to stabilize a well-diversified portfolio is Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) , a leading healthcare player. Let's get into why the drugmaker is such an attractive pick in the current landscape.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

Several aspects of Johnson & Johnson's business make it an outstanding stock to own during a market crash, an economic downturn, or both. Let's consider three of them. First, Johnson & Johnson sells essential products that people depend on regardless of economic conditions, including pharmaceutical drugs and medical devices. No one wants to stop taking lifesaving medicines when the going gets rough. And because third-party payers help foot much of the bill for patients, many can still afford to take their meds when the purse strings tighten. Demand for the procedures that Johnson & Johnson helps physicians perform with its devices also tends to remain high across the economic cycle.

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