Why You Should Buy and Hold This High-Yield Dividend Stock

Even with the S&P 500 down 9% year to date, the index only yields 1.4%. That's much lower than the 4.3% average historical yield over the course of its history. With such a low dividend yield, income investors may not be able to rely on owning index funds that track the S&P 500.

Fortunately, some stocks pay higher dividends that are relatively safe. Pharma stock Merck (NYSE: MRK) appears to be one of those stocks. Let's explore several factors that could make Merck an attractive option for income investors also looking for growth prospects.

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Source Fool.com