After steadily raising its payout by 163% over the past 15 years, (NYSE: PFE) continues to be one of the most reliable pharma stocks an income-seeking investor can reach for these days. The company is a pharmaceutical giant with many parts moving in different directions. Some of its blockbusters are losing market exclusivity, but it's also developing plenty of new drugs to take their place.

Despite a productive development pipeline and a remarkable track record, shares of Pfizer offer a great big 6% dividend yield at recent prices. Here's why it's a great stock for income-seeking investors to buy now and hold for the long run.

At a glance, Pfizer's first-quarter results look awful. Revenue sank by 19% year over year at constant-currency rates. Such a big drop looks like a red flag but it's not as bad as it seems.

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Source Fool.com