Leisure Products

Hasbro Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a play and entertainment company. Its operating segments include the U.S. and Canada, International, and Entertainment and Licensing. From toys and games to content development, including television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a consumer products licensing program, Hasbro fulfills the fundamental need for play and connection for children and families around the world.

Investors receive a 2.99% dividend. The consensus price objective is posted at $105.71. The stock closed most recently at $84.22. Shares have traded hands between $84.51 and $116.20 in the past year.

Pharmaceuticals

Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MRK) offers therapeutic and preventive agents to treat cardiovascular, type 2 diabetes, asthma, nasal allergy symptoms, allergic rhinitis, chronic hepatitis C virus, HIV-1 infection, fungal infections, intra-abdominal infections, hypertension, arthritis and pain, inflammatory, osteoporosis, male pattern hair loss and fertility diseases. It also provides neuromuscular blocking agents for use in surgery; antibacterial products for skin and skin structure infections; and cholesterol modifying medicines.

Merck shareholders receive a 3.59% dividend. The $66.60 consensus price target compares with the most recent close at $54.41 and a 52-week range of $53.12 to $66.41.

Food and Staples Retail

Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) is the world’s largest retailer, operating retail stores under the formats of Walmart stores and supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and Sam’s Club locations in the United States, as well as a growing e-commerce business (including Jet.com). Internationally Walmart also operates locations in several countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, Mexico and the United Kingdom.

Shareholders receive a 2.44% dividend. The posted consensus target is $105.32, and shares closed Friday at $85.42. The 52-week trading range is $69.33 to $109.88.

Telecommunication Services

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) is a global leader in delivering the digital world. Verizon Wireless operates America’s self-described most reliable wireless network, with 109.5 million retail connections nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America’s most advanced fiber-optic network, and it delivers integrated business solutions to customers worldwide.

Verizon investors receive a 5.1% dividend. The consensus price target was last seen at $55.96. The stock closed Friday at $46.29, in a 52-week range of $42.80 to $54.77.

Health Care Equipment and Supplies

Medtronic PLC (NYSE: MDT) is a medical devices giant, and many on Wall Street saw its historical merger with Covidien, probably one of the largest in the medtech industry, as a momentous event, leading to the creation of a unique company that combines the extensive and innovative abilities of both companies. The combined company has over 85,000 employees present in more than 160 countries.

Medtronic investors receive a 2.35% dividend. The $91.40 consensus price target compares with the close on Friday at $76.55. The 52-week trading range is $76.52 to $89.72.

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These 10 top companies that all pay dividends, their shares are down or flat in 2018, and they should perform well in the event of a bear market. While there is no guarantee they would trade higher, history suggests they will hold their own in bad times.