Recessions are difficult to predict. Even professional economists sometimes get it wrong. But they will happen occasionally and sometimes take the stock market down. That's why it's useful for investors to buy shares of companies that can perform relatively well even during downturns.

Which companies are worth investing in, then? Solid dividend stocks can be great picks. Their ability to maintain or even increase their payouts regardless of economic conditions speaks volumes about the strength of their underlying businesses.

With that in mind, let's consider two dividend stocks that can help investors get through the toughest recessions: (NYSE: ABBV) and Merck (NYSE: MRK).

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Source Fool.com