MS vs NWFL: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 30, 2026, MS and NWFL are closely matched. NWFL offers the higher yield at 3.58%, NWFL has the higher dividend-safety score, and NWFL looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 53% above its share price).
Key facts: MS vs NWFL
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 30, 2026, Norwood Financial Corp. (NWFL) has the higher forward dividend yield at 3.58%, versus 2.42% for Morgan Stanley (MS).
- As of Oct 30, 2026, SmarterDividends grades MS's dividend safety A (82/100) and NWFL's A (97/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 30, 2026, MS has raised its dividend for 12 consecutive years and NWFL for 26.
- As of Oct 30, 2026, MS pays out 32% of its earnings as dividends and NWFL pays out 44%.
- As of Oct 30, 2026, MS's fair-value estimate is 15% below its share price and NWFL's fair-value estimate is 53% above its share price, so NWFL looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "MS vs NWFL: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 30, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/ms-vs-nwfl
| Metric | MS | NWFL |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 2.42% | 3.58% |
| Annual dividend | $4.60 | $1.28 |
| Payout ratio | 32% | 44% |
| Years of growth | 12 yr | 26 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 22.4% | 4.4% |
| 5-yr total return | 89% | 35% |
| Dividend safety score | 82 (A) | 97 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $160.88 | $54.35 |
| Upside to fair value | -15% | +53% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $297.3B | $389.0M |
| P/E ratio | 15.1 | 12.8 |
Higher yield
NWFL
3.58%
Safer dividend
NWFL
Grade A
Faster growth
MS
22.4%
Better value
NWFL
+53% upside
MS vs NWFL — FAQ
Is MS or NWFL a better dividend stock?
MS and NWFL are closely matched. NWFL has the higher yield; NWFL scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, MS or NWFL?
NWFL has the higher forward dividend yield at 3.58%, versus 2.42% for MS.
Is MS or NWFL safer?
NWFL has the higher dividend-safety score (97/100 vs 82/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is MS or NWFL better value right now?
As of Oct 30, 2026, NWFL looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 53% above its share price (undervalued). For MS, its fair-value estimate is 15% below its share price.
Related comparisons
See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.