CAH vs JNJ: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 30, 2026, CAH and JNJ are closely matched. JNJ offers the higher yield at 1.98%, CAH has the higher dividend-safety score, and CAH looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 27% above its share price).
Key facts: CAH vs JNJ
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 30, 2026, Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) has the higher forward dividend yield at 1.98%, versus 0.84% for Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH).
- As of Oct 30, 2026, SmarterDividends grades CAH's dividend safety A (99/100) and JNJ's A (93/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 30, 2026, CAH has raised its dividend for 39 consecutive years and JNJ for 55.
- As of Oct 30, 2026, CAH pays out 28% of its earnings as dividends and JNJ pays out 80%.
- As of Oct 30, 2026, CAH's fair-value estimate is 27% above its share price and JNJ's fair-value estimate is 27% below its share price, so CAH looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "CAH vs JNJ: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 30, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/cah-vs-jnj
| Metric | CAH | JNJ |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 0.84% | 1.98% |
| Annual dividend | $2.06 | $5.36 |
| Payout ratio | 28% | 80% |
| Years of growth | 39 yr | 55 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 1.0% | 5.2% |
| 5-yr total return | 440% | 69% |
| Dividend safety score | 99 (A) | 93 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $318.57 | $199.73 |
| Upside to fair value | +27% | -27% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $58.1B | $662.5B |
| P/E ratio | 34.7 | 41.8 |
Higher yield
JNJ
1.98%
Safer dividend
CAH
Grade A
Faster growth
JNJ
5.2%
Better value
CAH
+27% upside
CAH vs JNJ — FAQ
Is CAH or JNJ a better dividend stock?
CAH and JNJ are closely matched. JNJ has the higher yield; CAH scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, CAH or JNJ?
JNJ has the higher forward dividend yield at 1.98%, versus 0.84% for CAH.
Is CAH or JNJ safer?
CAH has the higher dividend-safety score (99/100 vs 93/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is CAH or JNJ better value right now?
As of Oct 30, 2026, CAH looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 27% above its share price (undervalued). For JNJ, its fair-value estimate is 27% below its share price.
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See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.