AAPL vs SPY: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 18, 2026, SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust) screens as the stronger dividend stock, winning 4 of 6 head-to-head metrics. SPY offers the higher yield at 0.99%, AAPL has the higher dividend-safety score.
Key facts: AAPL vs SPY
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 18, 2026, State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) has the higher forward dividend yield at 0.99%, versus 0.31% for Apple Inc. (AAPL).
- As of Oct 18, 2026, SmarterDividends grades AAPL's dividend safety A (95/100) and SPY's A (82/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 18, 2026, AAPL has raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years and SPY for 16.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "AAPL vs SPY: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 18, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/aapl-vs-spy
| Metric | AAPL | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 0.31% | 0.99% |
| Annual dividend | $1.08 | $5.66 |
| Payout ratio | 12% | — |
| Years of growth | 14 yr | 16 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 5.0% | 5.1% |
| 5-yr total return | 108% | 68% |
| Dividend safety score | 95 (A) | 82 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $184.66 | — |
| Upside to fair value | -46% | — |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $5.0T | — |
| P/E ratio | 39.4 | 24.2 |
Higher yield
SPY
0.99%
Safer dividend
AAPL
Grade A
Faster growth
SPY
5.1%
AAPL vs SPY — FAQ
Is AAPL or SPY a better dividend stock?
On the data, SPY wins more head-to-head categories (4 vs 2). SPY offers the higher yield (0.99%), while AAPL has the stronger dividend-safety score. The right pick depends on whether you prioritise income, safety or value.
Which has a higher dividend yield, AAPL or SPY?
SPY has the higher forward dividend yield at 0.99%, versus 0.31% for AAPL.
Is AAPL or SPY safer?
AAPL has the higher dividend-safety score (95/100 vs 82/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
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See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.