BAC vs CNS: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 18, 2026, BAC and CNS are closely matched. CNS offers the higher yield at 3.85%, BAC has the higher dividend-safety score, and BAC looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 24% above its share price).
Key facts: BAC vs CNS
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 18, 2026, Cohen & Steers, Inc. (CNS) has the higher forward dividend yield at 3.85%, versus 2.50% for Bank of America Corporation (BAC).
- As of Oct 18, 2026, SmarterDividends grades BAC's dividend safety A (87/100) and CNS's B (77/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 18, 2026, BAC has raised its dividend for 12 consecutive years and CNS for 16.
- As of Oct 18, 2026, BAC pays out 26% of its earnings as dividends and CNS pays out 79%.
- As of Oct 18, 2026, BAC's fair-value estimate is 24% above its share price and CNS's fair-value estimate is 10% below its share price, so BAC looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "BAC vs CNS: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 18, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/bac-vs-cns
| Metric | BAC | CNS |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 2.50% | 3.85% |
| Annual dividend | $1.28 | $2.68 |
| Payout ratio | 26% | 79% |
| Years of growth | 12 yr | 16 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 8.4% | 9.7% |
| 5-yr total return | 15% | -22% |
| Dividend safety score | 87 (A) | 77 (B) |
| Fair value estimate | $63.43 | $62.54 |
| Upside to fair value | +24% | -10% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $358.2B | $3.6B |
| P/E ratio | 12.2 | 21.4 |
Higher yield
CNS
3.85%
Safer dividend
BAC
Grade A
Faster growth
CNS
9.7%
Better value
BAC
+24% upside
BAC vs CNS — FAQ
Is BAC or CNS a better dividend stock?
BAC and CNS are closely matched. CNS has the higher yield; BAC scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, BAC or CNS?
CNS has the higher forward dividend yield at 3.85%, versus 2.50% for BAC.
Is BAC or CNS safer?
BAC has the higher dividend-safety score (87/100 vs 77/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is BAC or CNS better value right now?
As of Oct 18, 2026, BAC looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 24% above its share price (undervalued). For CNS, its fair-value estimate is 10% below its share price.
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See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.