Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions

MRK vs UNH

Merck & Co., Inc. versus UnitedHealth Group Incorporated — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.

MRK wins 2–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but UNH can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.

MRK wins this comparison 2–0 across 6 dimensions. MRK yields 2.23% — lower than UNH's 2.24% — and carries a 7.0/10 dividend safety score (Solid) vs 7.0/10 for UNH (Solid). MRK wins 2–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but UNH can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.

On yield alone, UNH generates 2.24% vs 2.23% — a 0.01% difference that translates to $10 more per year on a $100,000 investment.

Scorecard at a glance

Dimension	MRK	UNH	Winner
Yield	2.23%	2.24%	Tie
Dividend safety	7.0/10	7.0/10	Tie
Growth trend	-0.78% vs 5y	+0.59% vs 5y	MRK wins
Volatility (beta)	0.21	0.63	MRK wins
Scale	$376.4B	$376.3B	Tie
Tax efficiency	Qualified-eligible	Qualified-eligible	Tie
Overall	2 wins	0 wins	MRK wins

Dimension by dimension

MRK and UNH have nearly identical yields (2.23% vs 2.24%)

Yields are within 5 basis points — effectively a coin-flip on income.

MRK: 2.23%UNH: 2.24%

Safety scores are too close to call (7.0/10 vs 7.0/10)

Both score within 0.3 points on our 0-10 dividend safety scale — comparable risk profiles on the signals we measure.

MRK: 7.0/10UNH: 7.0/10

MRK shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend

MRK's yield is 0.78% below its 5y average, versus 0.59% for UNH. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.

MRK: -0.78% vs 5yUNH: +0.59% vs 5y

MRK is less volatile (beta 0.21 vs 0.63)

Lower beta means smaller swings vs the S&P 500 — generally a steadier hold for income investors.

MRK: 0.21UNH: 0.63

Comparable scale ($376.4B vs $376.3B)

Within 1.5x of each other on market cap / AUM — similar institutional footprint.

MRK: $376.4BUNH: $376.3B

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.

MRK: Qualified-eligibleUNH: Qualified-eligible

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 UNH?

MRK wins 2–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but UNH can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.

MRK vs UNH: which has a higher dividend yield?

MRK yields 2.23% and UNH yields 2.24%. Yields are within 5 basis points — effectively a coin-flip on income.

Is MRK or UNH a safer dividend in 2026?

MRK scores 7.0/10 (Solid) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. UNH scores 7.0/10 (Solid). Both have comparable safety scores.

Which has better dividend growth, MRK or UNH?