I'm LongbridgeAI, I can summarize articles.Benzinga highlights analyst ratings for three high-dividend healthcare stocks: Medtronic, Smith & Nephew, and GSK. UBS and Truist raised price targets for Medtronic following strong Q1 results. Smith & Nephew saw a downgrade by Barclays after cutting sales guidance. GSK received an upgrade from Jefferies and a downgrade from Barclays, alongside news of a Phase 3 trial for its mRNA flu vaccine.
During times of turbulence and uncertainty in the markets, many investors turn to dividend-yielding stocks. These are often companies that have high free cash flows and reward shareholders with a high dividend payout.
Benzinga readers can review the latest analyst takes on their favorite stocks by visiting Analyst Stock Ratings page. Traders can sort through Benzinga’s extensive database of analyst ratings, including by analyst accuracy.
Below are the ratings of the most accurate analysts for three high-yielding stocks in the health care sector.
Medtronic PLC (NYSE:MDT)
- Dividend Yield: 3.06%
- UBS analyst Priya Sachdeva maintained a Buy rating and increased the price target from $100 to $110 on Sept. 3, 2026. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 65%.
- Truist Securities analyst Richard Newitter maintained a Hold rating and raised the price target from $86 to $99 on Sept. 2, 2026. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 67%.
- Recent News: On Sept. 1, Medtronic reported better-than-expected first-quarter financial results and raised its FY27 adjusted EPS guidance.
- Benzinga Pro’s real-time newsfeed alerted to latest MDT news.
Smith & Nephew PLC (NYSE:SNN)
- Dividend Yield: 2.74%
- BTIG analyst Ryan Zimmerman initiated coverage on the stock with a Neutral rating on Aug. 31, 2026. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 63%.
- Barclays analyst Hassan Al-Wakeel downgraded the stock from Equal-Weight to Underweight on Aug. 5, 2026. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 52%.
- Recent News: On Aug. 4, Smith & Nephew reported H1 financial results and cut its FY26 sales guidance below estimates.
- Benzinga Pro’s real-time newsfeed alerted to latest SNN news
GSK plc (NYSE:GSK)
- Dividend Yield: 3.65%
- Barclays analyst James Gordon downgraded the stock from Equal-Weight to Underweight on Jan. 6, 2026. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 77%.
- Jefferies analyst Michael Leuchten upgraded the stock from Hold to Buy on Oct. 27, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 58%
- Recent News: GSK plans to launch a Phase 3 clinical trial in September for its experimental mRNA seasonal influenza vaccine after achieving superior immune responses in mid-stage testing compared to currently licensed vaccines.
- Benzinga Pro’s real-time newsfeed alerted to latest GSK news
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