2 Dividend Stocks to Purchase and Keep for a Decade

Historically, broader stock markets tend to provide positive returns over a span of ten years. This trend has held true for more than a century, with a few notable periods of economic turbulence. Beyond those exceptions, investors who choose to invest in stocks now have a solid chance of achieving competitive returns by 2036.

Focusing on dividend stocks can further enhance these returns, primarily through the effects of reinvesting dividends. Interestingly, these stocks often outperform those that do not pay dividends over the long haul. Let’s take a look at two dividend stocks that seem worth holding onto over the next decade: Bristol-Myers Squibb and Amgen.

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Bristol-Myers stock has remained fairly stagnant for the last year, trailing behind many other stocks as the company faces some challenges, particularly due to a recent and upcoming patent cliff. Still, history shows that the company can bounce back, and it’s likely to navigate these issues again. Its product range, especially in oncology but also in other therapeutic areas, remains robust.

Recent approvals, like a subcutaneous version of its key cancer treatment, Opdivo, will likely help stave off competition from generics and biosimilars.

Moreover, the company is working on several promising new treatments. One, BMS-986446, aims at Alzheimer’s disease, which is notoriously difficult to tackle. Most attempts in that space have not been successful, earning it a reputation as a challenging area for drug development.

However, this investigational drug has shown encouraging signs and received Fast Track designation from the FDA. It’s been recognized for its potential in addressing significant unmet needs.

Even if this drug doesn’t succeed, there are numerous other hopeful candidates in development, including treatments for HIV, multiple myeloma, and various cancers, linked to another company, BioNTech.

Since launching several products at the start of the decade, Bristol-Myers is poised to introduce more that can help increase revenues and profits, effectively navigating the patent cliff challenge.

This strategy should support its dividend payouts too. Currently, it offers a forward yield of 4.4% and has raised its dividend by 65.8% over the last decade, making it an attractive income stock for the foreseeable future, despite the current hurdles.

Amgen

Amgen performed well in 2025, but the impacts of a recent patent cliff might present challenges this year. On the bright side, the company is strategically positioned to endure these difficulties. Certain growth drivers remain strong, including their asthma treatment, Tezspire, which has seen label expansions recently contributing to sales.

Tepezza, which helps with thyroid eye disease, has also been successful, garnering approvals in multiple countries like Japan and Brazil.