Tariffs of 10 to 12.5% on 60 major U.S. trading partners, oil above US$100, and the prospect of a more hawkish Federal Reserve create a tricky backdrop for stock picking. In this kind of policy and inflation tug of war, many investors look to large U.S. dividend stocks with established payout histories and relatively lower volatility as potential anchors in a portfolio. This article walks through 3 stocks from a U.S. Large-Cap Dividend Stocks screener that appear particularly exposed to these tariff and rate hike headlines, and explains how that exposure could be a potential opportunity for your watchlist.

UnitedHealth Group (UNH)

Overview: UnitedHealth Group is a large U.S. health care company that combines an insurer (UnitedHealthcare) with Optum, a collection of health services businesses spanning clinics, data and software, and pharmacy benefit management, serving employers, governments, providers and individuals in the U.S. and abroad.

Operations: UnitedHealth Group generates most of its revenue from UnitedHealthcare at about US$346.5b, with Optum Rx at about US$155.2b, Optum Health at about US$100.0b and Optum Insight at about US$19.7b, partly offset by corporate eliminations.

Market Cap: US$382.1b

UnitedHealth Group appears in this dividend-focused screen because it combines a long record of steady payouts with the scale and diversification of a health insurer plus Optum’s data and pharmacy platforms. This comes at a time when tariffs, higher oil and the prospect of a more hawkish Fed are putting pressure on more cyclical sectors. Recent results showed Medicare Advantage and Optum contributions, but also highlighted net margins around 3.1% and recent earnings declines, as well as regulatory scrutiny and funding risk around Medicare. The company is investing capital into AI and value-based care, alongside active buybacks and a 2.1% yield, which may be important factors for long-term investors who are assessing the overall balance of risks and potential rewards.

UnitedHealth Group’s mix of Medicare exposure, AI spending and a 2.1% yield can look straightforward, yet the real tension sits in how those pieces reshape its risk profile, which the 3 key rewards and 1 important warning sign suggests may differ from what many investors assume

Cardinal Health (CAH)

Overview: Cardinal Health is a healthcare services and products company that sits in the middle of the drug and medical supply chain, buying medicines and medical products from manufacturers and getting them to hospitals, pharmacies, clinics, labs and patients at home across the United States and international markets.

Operations: Cardinal Health generates most of its revenue from Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions at about US$231.4b, with Global Medical Products and Distribution at about US$12.8b and Other businesses at about US$6.7b, partly offset by corporate eliminations.

Market Cap: US$53.4b

Cardinal Health stands out in this dividend focused screen because it combines large pharmaceutical distribution scale with increasing exposure to higher margin areas such as specialty drugs and at home care, at a time when new tariffs and higher fuel costs are reshaping supply chains. Management has indicated that widespread 10% to 25% tariffs would be passed through via pricing rather than absorbed into already thin 1% to 2% margins, which could be important in a prolonged tariff regime. At the same time, acquisitions in at home solutions, significant use of external debt funding and a recent US$758.0m one off loss mean investors may want to weigh changes in earnings power against financial risk and valuation expectations that reflect substantial execution requirements.

Cardinal Health’s thin margins and at home push could be masking a much bigger shift in earnings quality. The full story sits in the 2 key rewards and 2 important warning signs that may reframe how you view the tariff debate

Becton Dickinson (BDX)

Overview: Becton Dickinson develops and sells a wide range of medical supplies, devices, diagnostic systems and lab equipment that hospitals, clinics, labs and drug companies rely on for everyday care, testing and drug delivery around the world.

Operations: Becton Dickinson generates about US$11.5b from BD Medical excluding BD Interventional, about US$5.4b from BD Interventional, and reports a US$5.3b segment adjustment.

Market Cap: US$43.1b

Becton Dickinson is a large, diversified medical technology company with a long operating history, a 2.69% dividend and a portfolio tied to recurring hospital and procedure volumes. This comes at a time when tariffs and higher rates are pressuring more cyclical sectors. Earnings grew 38.2% over the past year and the stock trades below one fair value estimate. However, revenue growth is slow, debt is high and recent one-off losses plus product recalls and regulatory scrutiny complicate the picture. New launches such as the CentroVena One insertion system, AI enabled pharmacy and infusion platforms, and ongoing buybacks all add moving parts to assess. The key consideration is whether that mix of stability, leverage and product pipeline aligns with an investor’s view of the company’s valuation and risk profile.

Becton Dickinson’s mix of a 2.69% dividend, high debt and recent product and regulatory issues suggests the headline yield might be masking something more complex in the 5 key rewards and 2 important warning signs

The stocks covered here are just a sampling, and the full U.S. Large-Cap Dividend Stocks screen uncovered 25 more companies with equally compelling stories that sit inside the U.S. Large-Cap Dividend Stocks screener. Use Simply Wall St to identify and analyze the specific catalysts, dividend profiles and risk narratives that matter most to you so you can focus on your highest conviction ideas.

Take Control of Your Investment Journey

If Becton Dickinson or any of these companies sound like a great opportunity, register for FREE with Simply Wall St and add your companies to a Watchlist to monitor the share price against the fair value the ideal entry point. Once you've made your move, manage your holdings with our Portfolio Command Center that filters out the noise to deliver only the most critical, actionable updates. Throughout your journey, our Community allows you to filter the best ideas from thousands of investor perspectives. By uncovering hidden catalysts and risks early, you'll accelerate your decision-making and stay one step ahead of the market.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.