MA vs RY: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 23, 2026, MA and RY are closely matched. RY offers the higher yield at 2.48%, MA has the higher dividend-safety score, and RY looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 0% above its share price).
Key facts: MA vs RY
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 23, 2026, Royal Bank of Canada (RY) has the higher forward dividend yield at 2.48%, versus 0.55% for Mastercard Incorporated (MA).
- As of Oct 23, 2026, SmarterDividends grades MA's dividend safety A (89/100) and RY's B (75/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 23, 2026, MA has raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years and RY for 10.
- As of Oct 23, 2026, MA pays out 18% of its earnings as dividends and RY pays out 41%.
- As of Oct 23, 2026, MA's fair-value estimate is 25% below its share price and RY's fair-value estimate is 0% above its share price, so RY looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "MA vs RY: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 23, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/ma-vs-ry
| Metric | MA | RY |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 0.55% | 2.48% |
| Annual dividend | $3.48 | $4.99 |
| Payout ratio | 18% | 41% |
| Years of growth | 14 yr | 10 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 13.7% | 6.2% |
| 5-yr total return | 96% | 100% |
| Dividend safety score | 89 (A) | 75 (B) |
| Fair value estimate | $474.95 | $202.73 |
| Upside to fair value | -25% | +0% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $554.7B | $279.7B |
| P/E ratio | 34.2 | 17.6 |
Higher yield
RY
2.48%
Safer dividend
MA
Grade A
Faster growth
MA
13.7%
Better value
RY
+0% upside
MA vs RY — FAQ
Is MA or RY a better dividend stock?
MA and RY are closely matched. RY has the higher yield; MA scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, MA or RY?
RY has the higher forward dividend yield at 2.48%, versus 0.55% for MA.
Is MA or RY safer?
MA has the higher dividend-safety score (89/100 vs 75/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is MA or RY better value right now?
As of Oct 23, 2026, RY looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 0% above its share price (fairly valued). For MA, its fair-value estimate is 25% below its share price.
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See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.