Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
LOW vs SBUX
Lowe's Companies, Inc. versus Starbucks Corporation — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
LOW wins 2–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but SBUX can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
LOW or SBUX — which is better?
LOW wins this comparison 2–1 across 6 dimensions. LOW yields 2.69% — higher than SBUX's 2.32% — and carries a 7.1/10 dividend safety score (Solid) vs 6.3/10 for SBUX (Mixed). LOW wins 2–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but SBUX can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
On dividend safety, LOW scores 7.1/10 (Solid) vs 6.3/10 (Mixed) for SBUX — LOW has a stronger composite of payout coverage, yield zone, and dividend trend signals. On yield, LOW's 2.69% vs 2.32% represents a $370 annual income gap on $100,000 invested.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | LOW | SBUX | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 2.69% | 2.32% | LOW wins |
| Dividend safety | 7.1/10 | 6.3/10 | LOW wins |
| Growth trend | +0.88% vs 5y | +0.00% vs 5y | SBUX wins |
| Volatility (beta) | 0.88 | 0.97 | Tie |
| Scale | $104.1B | $122.1B | Tie |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 2 wins | 1 wins | LOW wins |
Dimension by dimension
LOW wins on yield (2.69% vs 2.32%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $37 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
LOW's higher yield (2.69%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus SBUX's 2.32% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
LOW wins on safety (7.1/10 vs 6.3/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. LOW scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
LOW (7.1/10) scores 0.8 points higher than SBUX (6.3/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.
SBUX shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend
SBUX's yield is 0.00% above its 5y average, versus 0.88% for LOW. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
Volatility (beta) is similar
Both tickers move with comparable sensitivity to the broader market.
Comparable scale ($104.1B vs $122.1B)
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.
Full breakdown per ticker: are LOW dividends qualified and are SBUX dividends qualified — each with the after-tax income at every federal bracket.
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
LOW or SBUX — which is better?
LOW is better on our scoring, winning 2–1 across six dimensions: yield, dividend safety, growth, cost, scale, and tax treatment. LOW wins 2–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but SBUX can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Which is better for income, LOW or SBUX?
LOW wins 2–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but SBUX can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
LOW vs SBUX: which has a higher dividend yield?
LOW yields 2.69% and SBUX yields 2.32%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $37 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is LOW or SBUX a safer dividend in 2026?
LOW scores 7.1/10 (Solid) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. SBUX scores 6.3/10 (Mixed). LOW is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, LOW or SBUX?
SBUX's yield is 0.00% above its 5y average, versus 0.88% for LOW. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
LOW vs SBUX: 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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Compare both against your actual holdings
Put LOW and SBUX into the free analyzer with the rest of your portfolio. You'll see what each one contributes to your annual income, your weighted safety score, and whether adding LOW diversifies you or just duplicates what you hold. No account, no download.