Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
PFE vs UNH
Pfizer Inc. versus UnitedHealth Group Inc. — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
UNH wins 3–2 on our six-dimension comparison, but PFE can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
PFE or UNH — which is better?
UNH wins this comparison 3–2 across 6 dimensions. UNH yields 2.24% — lower than PFE's 5.77% — and carries a 7.0/10 dividend safety score (Solid) vs 5.3/10 for PFE (Mixed). UNH wins 3–2 on our six-dimension comparison, but PFE can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
On yield alone, PFE generates 5.77% vs 2.24% — a 3.53% difference that translates to $3,530 more per year on a $100,000 investment. On dividend safety, UNH scores 7.0/10 (Solid) vs 5.3/10 (Mixed) for PFE — investors prioritizing income reliability should weight that gap alongside the yield difference.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | PFE | UNH | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 5.77% | 2.24% | PFE wins |
| Dividend safety | 5.3/10 | 7.0/10 | UNH wins |
| Growth trend | +0.99% vs 5y | +0.59% vs 5y | UNH wins |
| Volatility (beta) | 0.28 | 0.63 | PFE wins |
| Scale | $169.9B | $376.3B | UNH wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 2 wins | 3 wins | UNH wins |
Dimension by dimension
PFE wins on yield (5.77% vs 2.24%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $353 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
PFE's higher yield (5.77%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus UNH's 2.24% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
UNH wins on safety (7.0/10 vs 5.3/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. UNH scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
UNH (7.0/10) scores 1.7 points higher than PFE (5.3/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.
UNH shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend
UNH's yield is 0.59% above its 5y average, versus 0.99% for PFE. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
PFE is less volatile (beta 0.28 vs 0.63)
Lower beta means smaller swings vs the S&P 500 — generally a steadier hold for income investors.
UNH 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 PFE dividends qualified and are UNH 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
PFE or UNH — which is better?
UNH is better on our scoring, winning 3–2 across six dimensions: yield, dividend safety, growth, cost, scale, and tax treatment. UNH wins 3–2 on our six-dimension comparison, but PFE can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Which is better for income, PFE or UNH?
UNH wins 3–2 on our six-dimension comparison, but PFE can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
PFE vs UNH: which has a higher dividend yield?
PFE yields 5.77% and UNH yields 2.24%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $353 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is PFE or UNH a safer dividend in 2026?
PFE scores 5.3/10 (Mixed) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. UNH scores 7.0/10 (Solid). UNH is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, PFE or UNH?
UNH's yield is 0.59% above its 5y average, versus 0.99% for PFE. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
PFE vs UNH: 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.
Get emailed when PFE vs UNH data updates.
Compare both against your actual holdings
Put PFE and UNH 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 UNH diversifies you or just duplicates what you hold. No account, no download.