Healthcare Sector Struggles, Yet These Yields Reaching 7% Might Still Be Viable
Healthcare Stocks Overview
- Market Performance: Healthcare stocks have remained stagnant since April, contrasting sharply with the S&P 500, which has surged by 27%. This stagnation has drawn the attention of contrarian investors looking for potential bargains or yield traps in the sector.
Key Healthcare Stocks
Omega Healthcare Investors (OHI): Offers a 6.4% yield and operates skilled nursing and assisted living facilities with a portfolio of 93,961 beds across over 1,000 properties. The company has shown recovery post-COVID, beating estimates for adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) and raising its full-year guidance. However, shares are trading at over 13 times next year's AFFO estimates, indicating a moderate valuation.
LTC Properties (LTC): With a 6.3% yield, LTC is transitioning some contracts to RIDEA-structured agreements, which could enhance growth potential. Currently, 7% of its enterprise value comes from this segment, with plans to double it by year-end.
Healthpeak Properties (DOC): This REIT has a 7.0% yield and a diverse portfolio including outpatient medical facilities and laboratories. The dividend was recently raised and converted to a monthly payout, but growth may be limited due to challenges in its life sciences segment.
Sila Realty Trust (SILA): A newer entrant with a 6.4% yield, SILA has delivered nearly 20% total returns since its IPO in June 2024. It has a solid financial position with long lease terms and a well-covered payout, although it reverted from a monthly to a quarterly dividend.
Pharmaceutical Sector Insights
Siga Technologies (SIGA): Offers a high yield of 7.1%, but is considered too concentrated as a single-drug company. Its future growth depends on diversification.
Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY): A blue-chip pharmaceutical company with a market cap of nearly $100 billion and a 5.3% yield. Despite its diversified product line, BMY has underperformed, with a 25% decline in share price over five years. However, it recently beat earnings estimates and is forming strategic partnerships.
Pfizer (PFE): Currently yielding 6.9%, Pfizer has faced challenges, including the cancellation of a weight-loss drug trial and declining COVID-related sales. The company is targeting $7 billion in cost savings by 2027, but its dividend remains secure for now with a 55% payout ratio.
Investment Strategy
- Retirement Income Strategy: The article emphasizes the importance of generating income through dividends to avoid depleting capital in retirement. A proposed "No Withdrawal" portfolio could yield $40,000 annually from a $500,000 investment, highlighting the potential for high-yield investments to support retirement without touching the principal.
This analysis suggests that while healthcare stocks have been overlooked, there are opportunities for income-focused investors, particularly in REITs and select pharmaceutical companies.
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Analyst Views on SILA
About SILA
About the author

- Earnings Release Schedule: Sila Realty Trust will issue its Q4 and full-year 2025 financial results after market close on February 24, 2026, highlighting the company's performance in the healthcare investment sector.
- Analyst Conference Call: A conference call will be held on February 25, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss the financial results and answer analyst questions, enhancing transparency and investor confidence.
- Portfolio Overview: As of September 30, 2025, Sila owned 140 real estate properties and three undeveloped land parcels across 67 U.S. markets, demonstrating its extensive footprint and market penetration in the healthcare sector.
- Strategic Focus: Sila's investment strategy centers on high-quality healthcare facilities aimed at generating predictable, durable, and growing income streams, reflecting the company's strategic advantage in the dynamic delivery of healthcare services.
- Stable Cash Flows: Sila Realty Trust operates under a net lease model focusing on healthcare properties, with an average lease duration of 10 years and 2% annual rent escalations, ensuring predictable cash flows that bolster investor confidence.
- Strong Financial Health: The company's debt to EBITDA ratio stands at approximately 3.6x, allowing it to retain about 25% of cash flow for strategic acquisitions while maintaining robust financial health.
- Market Opportunity: With the Federal Reserve implementing multiple rate cuts in 2024 and 2025, the diminishing attractiveness of fixed income is expected to trigger a capital rotation into high-yield equity sectors, positioning SILA to benefit as a quality REIT.
- Growth Potential: Projected FFO per share growth of 4-6% annually, combined with a 7% dividend yield, positions SILA for significant total return potential as the market reprices high-quality REITs.
- Index Component Changes: The KBW Nasdaq Insurance Index adds four companies, including Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and Chubb Limited, while dropping four others, reflecting market dynamics.
- Regional Banking Index Update: The KBW Nasdaq Regional Banking Index adds Axos Financial, Inc. and removes Synovus Financial Corp., indicating a focus on emerging fintech companies.
- Dividend Yield Index Adjustments: The KBW Nasdaq Financial Sector Dividend Yield Index adds eight companies and drops eight, demonstrating ongoing investor interest in high-yield investments.
- REIT Index Expansion: The KBW Nasdaq Premium Yield Equity REIT Index adds twelve companies while removing nine, reflecting the vibrancy of the real estate market and investor confidence.
Dividend Predictability: Dividend amounts are generally unpredictable and fluctuate based on a company's profitability.
Sila Realty Trust Inc: Analyzing the historical dividend chart for Sila Realty Trust Inc can provide insights into the likelihood of maintaining a 7% annual yield.
Investment Opportunities: There is a mention of other dividend stocks that have recently become available for purchase.
Author's Perspective: The opinions expressed in the article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent Nasdaq, Inc.

Upcoming Ex-Dividend Dates: Wheaton Precious Metals Corp, Sila Realty Trust Inc, and LKQ Corp will trade ex-dividend on 11/20/25, with respective dividends of $0.165, $0.40, and $0.30 payable on 12/4/25.
Expected Price Adjustments: Following the ex-dividend date, Wheaton Precious Metals Corp shares are expected to drop by 0.16%, Sila Realty Trust Inc by 1.70%, and LKQ Corp by 1.00% based on their recent stock prices.
Dividend Yield Estimates: The estimated annualized yields for the companies are 0.65% for Wheaton Precious Metals Corp, 6.81% for Sila Realty Trust Inc, and 4.01% for LKQ Corp, indicating varying levels of dividend stability.
Current Trading Performance: As of Tuesday trading, Wheaton Precious Metals Corp shares are down about 1.8%, Sila Realty Trust Inc shares are flat, and LKQ Corp shares have decreased by approximately 2.2%.
Dividend Stocks at 52-Week Lows: Several dividend stocks are currently trading near their 52-week lows, presenting potential buying opportunities for investors.
Ex-Dividend Dates: A list of ten stocks is highlighted that are approaching their ex-dividend dates this week, meaning investors must purchase them before these dates to qualify for the next dividend payout.










