ALRS vs MA: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 18, 2026, ALRS and MA are closely matched. ALRS offers the higher yield at 2.81%, ALRS has the higher dividend-safety score, and ALRS looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 15% below its share price).
Key facts: ALRS vs MA
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 18, 2026, Alerus Financial Corporation (ALRS) has the higher forward dividend yield at 2.81%, versus 0.56% for Mastercard Incorporated (MA).
- As of Oct 18, 2026, SmarterDividends grades ALRS's dividend safety A (92/100) and MA's A (89/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 18, 2026, ALRS has raised its dividend for 22 consecutive years and MA for 14.
- As of Oct 18, 2026, ALRS pays out 79% of its earnings as dividends and MA pays out 18%.
- As of Oct 18, 2026, ALRS's fair-value estimate is 15% below its share price and MA's fair-value estimate is 23% below its share price, so ALRS looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "ALRS vs MA: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 18, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/alrs-vs-ma
| Metric | ALRS | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 2.81% | 0.56% |
| Annual dividend | $0.88 | $3.48 |
| Payout ratio | 79% | 18% |
| Years of growth | 22 yr | 14 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 6.7% | 13.7% |
| 5-yr total return | 4% | 96% |
| Dividend safety score | 92 (A) | 89 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $26.60 | $474.95 |
| Upside to fair value | -15% | -23% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $781.2M | $540.9B |
| P/E ratio | 29.0 | 34.0 |
Higher yield
ALRS
2.81%
Safer dividend
ALRS
Grade A
Faster growth
MA
13.7%
Better value
ALRS
-15% upside
ALRS vs MA — FAQ
Is ALRS or MA a better dividend stock?
ALRS and MA are closely matched. ALRS has the higher yield; ALRS scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, ALRS or MA?
ALRS has the higher forward dividend yield at 2.81%, versus 0.56% for MA.
Is ALRS or MA safer?
ALRS has the higher dividend-safety score (92/100 vs 89/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is ALRS or MA better value right now?
As of Oct 18, 2026, ALRS looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 15% below its share price (overvalued). For MA, its fair-value estimate is 23% below its share price.
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See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.