MS vs UBSI: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 30, 2026, MS and UBSI are closely matched. UBSI offers the higher yield at 3.16%, UBSI has the higher dividend-safety score, and UBSI looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 39% above its share price).
Key facts: MS vs UBSI
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 30, 2026, United Bankshares, Inc. (UBSI) has the higher forward dividend yield at 3.16%, versus 2.42% for Morgan Stanley (MS).
- As of Oct 30, 2026, SmarterDividends grades MS's dividend safety A (82/100) and UBSI's A (99/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 30, 2026, MS has raised its dividend for 12 consecutive years and UBSI for 38.
- As of Oct 30, 2026, MS pays out 32% of its earnings as dividends and UBSI pays out 41%.
- As of Oct 30, 2026, MS's fair-value estimate is 15% below its share price and UBSI's fair-value estimate is 39% above its share price, so UBSI looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "MS vs UBSI: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 30, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/ms-vs-ubsi
| Metric | MS | UBSI |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 2.42% | 3.16% |
| Annual dividend | $4.60 | $1.52 |
| Payout ratio | 32% | 41% |
| Years of growth | 12 yr | 38 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 22.4% | 1.3% |
| 5-yr total return | 89% | 36% |
| Dividend safety score | 82 (A) | 99 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $160.88 | $67.47 |
| Upside to fair value | -15% | +39% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $297.3B | $6.6B |
| P/E ratio | 15.1 | 13.2 |
Higher yield
UBSI
3.16%
Safer dividend
UBSI
Grade A
Faster growth
MS
22.4%
Better value
UBSI
+39% upside
MS vs UBSI — FAQ
Is MS or UBSI a better dividend stock?
MS and UBSI are closely matched. UBSI has the higher yield; UBSI scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, MS or UBSI?
UBSI has the higher forward dividend yield at 3.16%, versus 2.42% for MS.
Is MS or UBSI safer?
UBSI has the higher dividend-safety score (99/100 vs 82/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is MS or UBSI better value right now?
As of Oct 30, 2026, UBSI looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 39% 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.