2 Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever

If you have contemplated selling shares of some of the companies you own this year, you likely aren't alone. Considering how volatile the market has been, many investors find it hard to look beyond the current headwinds and focus on the long game. But no matter how tempting panic selling is, it is rarely (if ever) the correct move.

The buy-and-hold strategy remains king for those looking to beat the market in the long run. It's especially wise to turn to dividend stocks since they have historically outperformed their non-dividend-paying peers. On that note, let's look at two excellent dividend stocks that you can buy and hold forever: AstraZeneca ( AZN -2.27% ) and Merck ( MRK -1.90% ).

Source: Motley Fool

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