■ JNJ vs MRK: dividend comparison 2026
| Metric | JNJ | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $265.85 | $147.76 |
| TTM Yield | 1.99% | 2.27% |
| Forward Yield | 2.02% | 2.30% |
| TTM Dividend / share | $5.2800 | $3.3600 |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last payment | $1.3400 | $0.8500 |
| 3-yr dividend CAGR | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| 5-yr dividend CAGR | 5.2% | 6.7% |
| 10-yr dividend CAGR | 5.7% | 6.6% |
| Growth streak | 60 years | 15 years |
| Payments on record | 258 | 254 |
| Paying since | 1962 | 1962 |
| Tools | Calculator · History | Calculator · History |
Green cells mark the better value where higher is objectively better (yield, growth, streak). Live data, refreshed daily.
How to read this matchup
Income today vs income tomorrow. A higher trailing yield pays more now; a higher dividend CAGR compounds into more income later. Ten years of 6.7% annual growth roughly multiplies the payout per share.
Frequency matters for compounding. JNJ pays quarterly and MRK pays quarterly. More frequent payments reinvest sooner, which helps DRIP slightly, and smooth out cash flow for anyone living off the income.
Model both in the calculator with your own numbers: JNJ dividend calculator and MRK dividend calculator.
FAQ
Which has the higher yield, JNJ or MRK?
MRK currently has the higher trailing yield: 2.27% for MRK versus 1.99% for JNJ. Yield alone is not the whole story: check growth rates and payment consistency below.
Which dividend grows faster, JNJ or MRK?
MRK has grown its payout faster over the past 5 years: 6.7% versus 5.2% compound annual growth.
Can I hold both JNJ and MRK?
Yes, and many income investors do. A common approach pairs a higher-yield position for current income with a higher-growth position for future income. Check the overlap of their strategies before doubling up on the same exposure.