Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
HON vs MMM
Honeywell International Inc. versus 3M Company — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
HON wins 3–2 on our six-dimension comparison, but MMM can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
HON wins this comparison 3–2 across 6 dimensions. HON yields 2.05% — higher than MMM's 1.90% — and carries a 7.3/10 dividend safety score (Solid) vs 8.8/10 for MMM (Strong). HON wins 3–2 on our six-dimension comparison, but MMM can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
On dividend safety, MMM scores 8.8/10 (Strong) vs 7.3/10 (Solid) for HON — MMM has a stronger composite of payout coverage, yield zone, and dividend trend signals. On yield, HON's 2.05% vs 1.90% represents a $150 annual income gap on $100,000 invested.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | HON | MMM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 2.05% | 1.90% | HON wins |
| Dividend safety | 7.3/10 | 8.8/10 | MMM wins |
| Growth trend | +0.04% vs 5y | -1.98% vs 5y | MMM wins |
| Volatility (beta) | 0.81 | 1.07 | HON wins |
| Scale | $146.8B | $84.0B | HON wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 3 wins | 2 wins | HON wins |
Dimension by dimension
HON wins on yield (2.05% vs 1.90%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $15 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
HON's higher yield (2.05%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus MMM's 1.90% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
MMM wins on safety (8.8/10 vs 7.3/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. MMM scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
MMM (8.8/10) scores 1.5 points higher than HON (7.3/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.
MMM shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend
MMM's yield is 1.98% below its 5y average, versus 0.04% for HON. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
HON is less volatile (beta 0.81 vs 1.07)
Lower beta means smaller swings vs the S&P 500 — generally a steadier hold for income investors.
HON is 1.7× 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 for income, HON or MMM?
HON wins 3–2 on our six-dimension comparison, but MMM can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
HON vs MMM: which has a higher dividend yield?
HON yields 2.05% and MMM yields 1.90%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $15 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is HON or MMM a safer dividend in 2026?
HON scores 7.3/10 (Solid) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. MMM scores 8.8/10 (Strong). MMM is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, HON or MMM?
MMM's yield is 1.98% below its 5y average, versus 0.04% for HON. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
HON vs MMM: 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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