CFR vs MS: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 30, 2026, CFR and MS are closely matched. CFR offers the higher yield at 2.62%, CFR has the higher dividend-safety score, and CFR looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 20% above its share price).
Key facts: CFR vs MS
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 30, 2026, Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (CFR) has the higher forward dividend yield at 2.62%, versus 2.42% for Morgan Stanley (MS).
- As of Oct 30, 2026, SmarterDividends grades CFR's dividend safety A (94/100) and MS's A (82/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 30, 2026, CFR has raised its dividend for 31 consecutive years and MS for 12.
- As of Oct 30, 2026, CFR pays out 38% of its earnings as dividends and MS pays out 32%.
- As of Oct 30, 2026, CFR's fair-value estimate is 20% above its share price and MS's fair-value estimate is 15% below its share price, so CFR looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "CFR vs MS: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 30, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/cfr-vs-ms
| Metric | CFR | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 2.62% | 2.42% |
| Annual dividend | $4.12 | $4.60 |
| Payout ratio | 38% | 32% |
| Years of growth | 31 yr | 12 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 6.7% | 22.4% |
| 5-yr total return | 25% | 89% |
| Dividend safety score | 94 (A) | 82 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $190.12 | $160.88 |
| Upside to fair value | +20% | -15% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $9.8B | $297.3B |
| P/E ratio | 14.9 | 15.1 |
Higher yield
CFR
2.62%
Safer dividend
CFR
Grade A
Faster growth
MS
22.4%
Better value
CFR
+20% upside
CFR vs MS — FAQ
Is CFR or MS a better dividend stock?
CFR and MS are closely matched. CFR has the higher yield; CFR scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, CFR or MS?
CFR has the higher forward dividend yield at 2.62%, versus 2.42% for MS.
Is CFR or MS safer?
CFR has the higher dividend-safety score (94/100 vs 82/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is CFR or MS better value right now?
As of Oct 30, 2026, CFR looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 20% above its share price (undervalued). For MS, its fair-value estimate is 15% below its share price.
See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.