Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
MRK vs SYK
Merck & Co., Inc. versus Stryker Corporation — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
MRK wins 4–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but SYK can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
MRK wins this comparison 4–1 across 6 dimensions. MRK yields 2.23% — higher than SYK's 1.07% — and carries a 7.0/10 dividend safety score (Solid) vs 7.6/10 for SYK (Solid). MRK wins 4–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but SYK can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
On yield alone, MRK generates 2.23% vs 1.07% — a 1.16% difference that translates to $1,160 more per year on a $100,000 investment. On dividend safety, SYK scores 7.6/10 (Solid) vs 7.0/10 (Solid) for MRK — investors prioritizing income reliability should weight that gap alongside the yield difference.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | MRK | SYK | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 2.23% | 1.07% | MRK wins |
| Dividend safety | 7.0/10 | 7.6/10 | SYK wins |
| Growth trend | -0.78% vs 5y | +0.08% vs 5y | MRK wins |
| Volatility (beta) | 0.21 | 0.93 | MRK wins |
| Scale | $376.4B | $126.0B | MRK wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 4 wins | 1 wins | MRK wins |
Dimension by dimension
MRK wins on yield (2.23% vs 1.07%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $116 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
MRK's higher yield (2.23%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus SYK's 1.07% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
SYK wins on safety (7.6/10 vs 7.0/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. SYK scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
SYK (7.6/10) scores 0.6 points higher than MRK (7.0/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.
MRK shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend
MRK's yield is 0.78% below its 5y average, versus 0.08% for SYK. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
MRK is less volatile (beta 0.21 vs 0.93)
Lower beta means smaller swings vs the S&P 500 — generally a steadier hold for income investors.
MRK is 3.0× 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, MRK or SYK?
MRK wins 4–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but SYK can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
MRK vs SYK: which has a higher dividend yield?
MRK yields 2.23% and SYK yields 1.07%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $116 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is MRK or SYK a safer dividend in 2026?
MRK scores 7.0/10 (Solid) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. SYK scores 7.6/10 (Solid). SYK is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, MRK or SYK?
MRK's yield is 0.78% below its 5y average, versus 0.08% for SYK. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
MRK vs SYK: 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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