AEF vs BAC: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 18, 2026, AEF and BAC are closely matched. AEF offers the higher yield at 12.05%, BAC has the higher dividend-safety score, and AEF looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 162% above its share price).
Key facts: AEF vs BAC
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 18, 2026, abrdn Emerging Markets ex-China Fund, Inc. (AEF) has the higher forward dividend yield at 12.05%, versus 2.50% for Bank of America Corporation (BAC).
- As of Oct 18, 2026, SmarterDividends grades AEF's dividend safety C (63/100) and BAC's A (87/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 18, 2026, AEF has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years and BAC for 12.
- As of Oct 18, 2026, AEF pays out 17% of its earnings as dividends and BAC pays out 26%.
- As of Oct 18, 2026, AEF's fair-value estimate is 162% above its share price and BAC's fair-value estimate is 24% above its share price, so AEF looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "AEF vs BAC: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 18, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/aef-vs-bac
| Metric | AEF | BAC |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 12.05% | 2.50% |
| Annual dividend | $1.04 | $1.28 |
| Payout ratio | 17% | 26% |
| Years of growth | 1 yr | 12 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 28.2% | 8.4% |
| 5-yr total return | 9% | 15% |
| Dividend safety score | 63 (C) | 87 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $22.61 | $63.43 |
| Upside to fair value | +162% | +24% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $350.4M | $358.2B |
| P/E ratio | 1.9 | 12.2 |
Higher yield
AEF
12.05%
Safer dividend
BAC
Grade A
Faster growth
AEF
28.2%
Better value
AEF
+162% upside
AEF vs BAC — FAQ
Is AEF or BAC a better dividend stock?
AEF and BAC are closely matched. AEF has the higher yield; BAC scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, AEF or BAC?
AEF has the higher forward dividend yield at 12.05%, versus 2.50% for BAC.
Is AEF or BAC safer?
BAC has the higher dividend-safety score (87/100 vs 63/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is AEF or BAC better value right now?
As of Oct 18, 2026, AEF looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 162% above its share price (undervalued). For BAC, its fair-value estimate is 24% above its share price.
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See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.


