Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
AMGN vs CVS
Amgen Inc. versus CVS Health Corporation — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
AMGN wins 3–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but CVS can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | AMGN | CVS | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 2.89% | 2.93% | Tie |
| Dividend safety | 7.3/10 | 6.3/10 | AMGN wins |
| Growth trend | -0.17% vs 5y | -0.29% vs 5y | Tie |
| Volatility (beta) | 0.42 | 0.59 | AMGN wins |
| Scale | $189.7B | $115.8B | AMGN wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 3 wins | 0 wins | AMGN wins |
Dimension by dimension
AMGN and CVS have nearly identical yields (2.89% vs 2.93%)
Yields are within 5 basis points — effectively a coin-flip on income.
AMGN wins on safety (7.3/10 vs 6.3/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. AMGN scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
Yield trends are similar
Both tickers' current yields sit close to their 5-year averages, suggesting comparable dividend-vs-price trajectories.
AMGN is less volatile (beta 0.42 vs 0.59)
Lower beta means smaller swings vs the S&P 500 — generally a steadier hold for income investors.
AMGN is 1.6× larger by market cap
Larger companies tend to have tighter spreads, deeper liquidity, and lower closure risk.
Both pay qualified-dividend-eligible distributions
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
How we compare these
Every comparison on this page is computed from current public data, not written by hand. Yield comes from the most recent dividend distribution annualized over current price. Safety scores combine yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size — see our methodology for the exact formula. Tax-efficiency flags identify covered-call ETFs, REITs, and mREITs which distribute primarily as ordinary income.
This is educational, not investment advice.Scores reflect a snapshot of public data on the "as of" dates shown on each ticker's safety page. Verify on the issuer's investor relations page or your brokerage before making decisions.
Frequently asked
Which is better, AMGN or CVS?
AMGN wins 3–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but CVS can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Does AMGN or CVS have a higher yield?
Yields are within 5 basis points — effectively a coin-flip on income.
Is AMGN or CVS a safer dividend?
AMGN scores 7.3/10 (Solid) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. CVS scores 6.3/10 (Mixed). See the safety dimension above for what drove each score.
Should I own both AMGN and CVS?
It depends on overlap. Two ETFs in similar categories often hold many of the same companies — owning both can mean paying two expense ratios for similar exposure. Check the underlying holdings before stacking.
Already own AMGN or CVS? See if the other adds anything.
Connect your brokerage and Infnits checks whether adding AMGN to your existing portfolio actually diversifies — or just duplicates exposure (ETF look-through included).
Check overlap with my portfolio →