CI vs MRK: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Nov 6, 2026, CI and MRK are closely matched. MRK offers the higher yield at 2.31%, MRK has the higher dividend-safety score, and CI looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 113% above its share price).
Key facts: CI vs MRK
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 6, 2026, Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) has the higher forward dividend yield at 2.31%, versus 2.04% for The Cigna Group (CI).
- As of Nov 6, 2026, SmarterDividends grades CI's dividend safety B (79/100) and MRK's A (88/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Nov 6, 2026, CI has raised its dividend for 5 consecutive years and MRK for 15.
- As of Nov 6, 2026, CI pays out 25% of its earnings as dividends and MRK pays out 343%.
- As of Nov 6, 2026, CI's fair-value estimate is 113% above its share price and MRK's fair-value estimate is 18% below its share price, so CI looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "CI vs MRK: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Nov 6, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/ci-vs-mrk
| Metric | CI | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 2.04% | 2.31% |
| Annual dividend | $6.24 | $3.40 |
| Payout ratio | 25% | 343% |
| Years of growth | 5 yr | 15 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 106.7% | 6.7% |
| 5-yr total return | 55% | 100% |
| Dividend safety score | 79 (B) | 88 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $643.14 | $119.89 |
| Upside to fair value | +113% | -18% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $79.7B | $362.5B |
| P/E ratio | 13.3 | 148.4 |
Higher yield
MRK
2.31%
Safer dividend
MRK
Grade A
Faster growth
CI
106.7%
Better value
CI
+113% upside
CI vs MRK — FAQ
Is CI or MRK a better dividend stock?
CI and MRK are closely matched. MRK has the higher yield; MRK scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, CI or MRK?
MRK has the higher forward dividend yield at 2.31%, versus 2.04% for CI.
Is CI or MRK safer?
MRK has the higher dividend-safety score (88/100 vs 79/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is CI or MRK better value right now?
As of Nov 6, 2026, CI looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 113% above its share price (undervalued). For MRK, its fair-value estimate is 18% below its share price.
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See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.