All three major indexes have started the year off on the right foot. After touching bear territory last year, they're now posting gains for 2023 so far. Will the next step be a bull market? It's possible -- but it's too early to say whether the market is truly ready to fully recover and thrive.

And this means now is the perfect time to consider companies that may boost your portfolio no matter the market conditions. The winning choice? Dividend stocks. They'll offer you annual income regardless of market movement. And certain players also offer excellent earnings prospects over time. Let's check out three top players.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) has climbed about 23% over the past five years. But if you look at the stock's total return, which includes dividend payments, the performance is even stronger. In fact, your gains nearly double.

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Source Fool.com