CTBI vs MS: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 30, 2026, CTBI and MS are closely matched. CTBI offers the higher yield at 3.74%, CTBI has the higher dividend-safety score, and CTBI looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 61% above its share price).
Key facts: CTBI vs MS
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 30, 2026, Community Trust Bancorp, Inc. (CTBI) has the higher forward dividend yield at 3.74%, versus 2.42% for Morgan Stanley (MS).
- As of Oct 30, 2026, SmarterDividends grades CTBI's dividend safety A (98/100) and MS's A (82/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 30, 2026, CTBI has raised its dividend for 23 consecutive years and MS for 12.
- As of Oct 30, 2026, CTBI pays out 36% of its earnings as dividends and MS pays out 32%.
- As of Oct 30, 2026, CTBI's fair-value estimate is 61% above its share price and MS's fair-value estimate is 15% below its share price, so CTBI looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "CTBI vs MS: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 30, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/ctbi-vs-ms
| Metric | CTBI | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 3.74% | 2.42% |
| Annual dividend | $2.60 | $4.60 |
| Payout ratio | 36% | 32% |
| Years of growth | 23 yr | 12 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 5.5% | 22.4% |
| 5-yr total return | 68% | 89% |
| Dividend safety score | 98 (A) | 82 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $112.89 | $160.88 |
| Upside to fair value | +61% | -15% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $1.3B | $297.3B |
| P/E ratio | 11.5 | 15.1 |
Higher yield
CTBI
3.74%
Safer dividend
CTBI
Grade A
Faster growth
MS
22.4%
Better value
CTBI
+61% upside
CTBI vs MS — FAQ
Is CTBI or MS a better dividend stock?
CTBI and MS are closely matched. CTBI has the higher yield; CTBI scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, CTBI or MS?
CTBI has the higher forward dividend yield at 3.74%, versus 2.42% for MS.
Is CTBI or MS safer?
CTBI has the higher dividend-safety score (98/100 vs 82/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is CTBI or MS better value right now?
As of Oct 30, 2026, CTBI looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 61% above its share price (undervalued). For MS, its fair-value estimate is 15% below its share price.
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See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.