Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
NKE vs SBUX
Nike, Inc. Class B Common Stock versus Starbucks Corporation — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
SBUX wins 4–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but NKE can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
NKE or SBUX — which is better?
SBUX wins this comparison 4–1 across 6 dimensions. SBUX yields 2.32% — lower than NKE's 4.33% — and carries a 6.3/10 dividend safety score (Mixed) vs 5.6/10 for NKE (Mixed). SBUX wins 4–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but NKE can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
On yield alone, NKE generates 4.33% vs 2.32% — a 2.01% difference that translates to $2,010 more per year on a $100,000 investment. On dividend safety, SBUX scores 6.3/10 (Mixed) vs 5.6/10 (Mixed) for NKE — investors prioritizing income reliability should weight that gap alongside the yield difference.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | NKE | SBUX | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 4.33% | 2.32% | NKE wins |
| Dividend safety | 5.6/10 | 6.3/10 | SBUX wins |
| Growth trend | +2.86% vs 5y | +0.00% vs 5y | SBUX wins |
| Volatility (beta) | 1.10 | 0.97 | SBUX wins |
| Scale | $55.8B | $122.1B | SBUX wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 1 wins | 4 wins | SBUX wins |
Dimension by dimension
NKE wins on yield (4.33% vs 2.32%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $201 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
NKE's higher yield (4.33%) 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.
SBUX wins on safety (6.3/10 vs 5.6/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. SBUX scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
SBUX (6.3/10) scores 0.7 points higher than NKE (5.6/10). 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 2.86% for NKE. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
SBUX is less volatile (beta 0.97 vs 1.10)
Lower beta means smaller swings vs the S&P 500 — generally a steadier hold for income investors.
SBUX is 2.2× 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.
Full breakdown per ticker: are NKE 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
NKE or SBUX — which is better?
SBUX is better on our scoring, winning 4–1 across six dimensions: yield, dividend safety, growth, cost, scale, and tax treatment. SBUX wins 4–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but NKE can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Which is better for income, NKE or SBUX?
SBUX wins 4–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but NKE can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
NKE vs SBUX: which has a higher dividend yield?
NKE yields 4.33% and SBUX yields 2.32%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $201 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is NKE or SBUX a safer dividend in 2026?
NKE scores 5.6/10 (Mixed) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. SBUX scores 6.3/10 (Mixed). SBUX is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, NKE or SBUX?
SBUX's yield is 0.00% above its 5y average, versus 2.86% for NKE. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
NKE 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 NKE 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 SBUX diversifies you or just duplicates what you hold. No account, no download.