10 Dividend-Paying Stocks For Shaky Markets

BOSTON (TheStreet) -- Stocks have struggled this year in the wake of the 2009 rally, prompting many investors to turn to defensive names.

Cautious investors seeking steady dividends should consider these 10 stocks. They're rated "buy" and their financial strength scores put them among the top 1% of the 5,000 stocks we cover.

10. Raytheon(RTN) is an aerospace and defense contractor, specializing in high-tech systems. Fourth-quarter net income rose 20% to $504 million and earnings per share climbed 27% to $1.30, boosted by a lower share count. Revenue rose 9.5% to $6.7 billion. Raytheon's operating margin widened from 10% to 11%. The stock advanced 19% over the past year.

Financial strength score: 9.9 out of 10

Dividend yield: 2.3%

Price-to-book ratio: 2.1 vs. industry average of 5.6

Three-year annualized profit growth: 15%

9. Becton, Dickinson and Co.(BDX) sells medical devices and diagnostic equipment. Fiscal first-quarter profit increased 1.4% to $316 million, or $1.30 a share, as revenue increased 12% to $1.9 billion. Becton, Dickinson's operating margin narrowed from 24% to 23%. Its stock increased 13% over the past year.

Financial strength score: 9.9 out of 10

Dividend yield: 1.9%

Price-to-book ratio: 3.5 vs. industry average of 4.1

Three-year annualized profit growth: 22%

8. C.R. Bard(BCR) sells medical products, such as catheters and stents, to health care providers. Fourth-quarter profit dropped 29% to $106 million, or $1.08. Revenue advanced 6.7% to $677 million. Bard's operating margin expanded from 27% to 29%. Its stock declined 3.4% over the past year.

Financial strength score: 9.9 out of 10

Dividend yield: 0.8%

Price-to-projected-earnings ratio: 13 vs. industry average of 18

Three-year annualized profit growth: 19%