Tech Stock Adds 12% to Dividend

Hello and welcome to Dividend Brief, the 2 times weekly newsletter focused on dividend investing.

Today, we will look into Medtronic, Merck, and Texas Instruments, highlight a few dividend stocks worth watching, as well as share companies that are about to pay a dividend in the next few days.

Healthcare

Surgeon Accuses Medtronic of Patent Misuse in Hernia Mesh Dispute

A prominent surgeon has initiated legal action against Medtronic, accusing the company of using a patented hernia mesh design without authorization. The surgeon, with extensive experience in treating hernia patients, noticed that existing mesh products often catered to male anatomy, prompting the development of a new design aimed at improving outcomes for women.

The lawsuit, filed in a federal court, claims the surgeon shared the design with Medtronic during discussions about a potential collaboration. The surgeon alleges that despite a confidentiality agreement, Medtronic later filed its own patent for a similar product. The disputed device was launched in 2020, prompting the current legal challenge.

This case adds to a series of recent patent disputes involving Medtronic, a major player in the medical device industry. The company has previously faced allegations of patent infringement and settled multiple claims over similar issues. Medtronic has stated it is reviewing the current complaint and maintains that it respects the intellectual property rights of other innovators.

The surgeon is seeking compensation, arguing that attempts to resolve the matter directly with Medtronic were unsuccessful, including rejecting an offer for a senior role at the company’s hernia division.

MDT currently trades at $88 and pays a dividend of 70 cents per share, a yield of 3.18%.

Be the First to Know

Spot the Next Breakout Stock Before It Soars

Imagine recognizing the potential of Tesla, Amazon, or Apple before the rest of the world caught on.

The early investors who saw their potential before anyone else are now enjoying life-changing returns. The question is: how can you spot the next breakout stock before it becomes the next big thing?

(By clicking the link above, you’ll gain free access to the report and receive a complimentary subscription to Trade Stocks’ daily newsletter. You also agree to the advertiser's privacy policy. Unsubscribe anytime.)

Now, there’s a way to gain that critical edge. A newly launched weekly report highlights one traded company with exceptional growth potential—hidden gems that most traders miss.

Right now, you can get FREE access to these exclusive stock reports. Picture being early on a rising star, growing your portfolio, and having that “I knew it before anyone else” moment.

Click here to claim your free report and start uncovering tomorrow’s market movers today.

(By clicking the link above, you’ll gain free access to the report and receive a complimentary subscription to Trade Stocks’ daily newsletter. You also agree to the advertiser's privacy policy. Unsubscribe anytime.)

Healthcare

Merck Expands Cancer Pipeline with $3.3 Billion Deal for Promising Therapy

Merck has secured a licensing agreement for an early-stage cancer drug from China's LaNova Medicines, in a deal valued at up to $3.3 billion. This move comes shortly after a similar cancer therapy developed by Summit Therapeutics demonstrated superior performance compared to Merck's own Keytruda in late-stage trials in China.

The agreement gives Merck control over the development of LaNova's drug candidate, LM-299. The treatment focuses on blocking the PD-1 protein, which typically hinders the immune system's ability to fight cancer cells, while also targeting VEGF, a protein linked to tumor growth.

As part of the deal, Merck will pay an upfront amount, with potential milestone payments reaching up to $2.7 billion. This strategic acquisition aligns with a growing interest in therapies that target both PD-1 and VEGF, as shown by other recent industry moves, such as BioNTech's acquisition of Biotheus.

Merck's decision to license LM-299 is seen as a step to diversify its oncology pipeline, particularly as Keytruda faces patent expiration in the coming years. Despite this, Keytruda remains a market leader with strong clinical backing, but Merck is clearly positioning itself for the future with additional promising treatments like LM-299 in its portfolio.

MRK currently trades at $98 and pays a dividend of 77 cents per share, a yield of 3.13%.

Tech

Texas Instruments Unveils Advanced Real-Time Microcontrollers

Texas Instruments has unveiled two new lines of microcontrollers aimed at boosting performance and security for automotive and industrial uses. The latest microcontrollers feature advancements in real-time processing, helping engineers design systems with improved efficiency and safety. One of the new series includes an integrated AI accelerator that enhances fault detection, providing rapid decision-making capabilities. The other series boasts a next-generation core, delivering significant improvements in real-time control performance and meeting industry safety standards.

These updates cater to the growing demand for smarter, more efficient applications, particularly as industries move towards integrated solutions in areas like vehicle powertrain systems and industrial automation. By enhancing capabilities such as predictive maintenance and fault detection, the microcontrollers aim to provide reliable, adaptive processing while ensuring data protection through advanced security measures.

Texas Instruments plans to showcase these innovations at an upcoming tech event, highlighting their commitment to addressing the evolving needs of engineers in developing intelligent, secure systems for a range of applications. The new products are set to offer a scalable solution, meeting the increasing requirements for both high-performance processing and stringent safety compliance across industries.

TXN currently trades at $205 and pays a dividend of $1.36 per share, a yield of 2.64%.

Ad

Need stock picks?

Join the best stock pick newsletter.

Click here to sign up!

TSM increased its dividend payout to 55 cents per share, an increase of 12%. Its new forward yield is 1.0%

DAC upped its dividend payout to 85 cents per share, an increase of 6%. The new forward yield of HQH is 4.0%

ALV boosted its dividend payout to 70 cents per share, an increase of 3%. The company’s new forward yield is 2.78%

DHT lowered its dividend payout to 22 cents per share, a cut of 18%. Its new forward yield is 9.4%

BAX decreased its dividend payout to 17 cents per share, a cut of 41%. The new forward yield of BAX is 1.99%

ECO slashed its dividend payout to 45 cents per share, a cut of 59%. Its new forward yield is 7.7%