Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
BMY vs MDT
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company versus Medtronic plc — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
BMY wins 4–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but MDT can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
BMY wins this comparison 4–0 across 6 dimensions. BMY yields 3.90% — higher than MDT's 3.51% — and carries a 8.3/10 dividend safety score (Strong) vs 6.8/10 for MDT (Solid). BMY wins 4–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but MDT can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
On dividend safety, BMY scores 8.3/10 (Strong) vs 6.8/10 (Solid) for MDT — BMY has a stronger composite of payout coverage, yield zone, and dividend trend signals. On yield, BMY's 3.90% vs 3.51% represents a $390 annual income gap on $100,000 invested.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | BMY | MDT | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 3.90% | 3.51% | BMY wins |
| Dividend safety | 8.3/10 | 6.8/10 | BMY wins |
| Growth trend | -0.06% vs 5y | +0.48% vs 5y | BMY wins |
| Volatility (beta) | 0.23 | 0.58 | BMY wins |
| Scale | $131.6B | $106.5B | Tie |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 4 wins | 0 wins | BMY wins |
Dimension by dimension
BMY wins on yield (3.90% vs 3.51%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $39 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
BMY's higher yield (3.90%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus MDT's 3.51% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
BMY wins on safety (8.3/10 vs 6.8/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. BMY scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
BMY (8.3/10) scores 1.5 points higher than MDT (6.8/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.
BMY shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend
BMY's yield is 0.06% below its 5y average, versus 0.48% for MDT. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
BMY is less volatile (beta 0.23 vs 0.58)
Lower beta means smaller swings vs the S&P 500 — generally a steadier hold for income investors.
Comparable scale ($131.6B vs $106.5B)
Within 1.5x of each other on market cap / AUM — similar institutional footprint.
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 for income, BMY or MDT?
BMY wins 4–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but MDT can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
BMY vs MDT: which has a higher dividend yield?
BMY yields 3.90% and MDT yields 3.51%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $39 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is BMY or MDT a safer dividend in 2026?
BMY scores 8.3/10 (Strong) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. MDT scores 6.8/10 (Solid). BMY is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, BMY or MDT?
BMY's yield is 0.06% below its 5y average, versus 0.48% for MDT. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
BMY vs MDT: which is more tax-efficient?
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.
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