NLY vs WELL: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 27, 2026, WELL (Welltower Inc.) screens as the stronger dividend stock, winning 5 of 8 head-to-head metrics. NLY offers the higher yield at 16.43%, WELL has the higher dividend-safety score, and NLY looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 166% above its share price).
Key facts: NLY vs WELL
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 27, 2026, Annaly Capital Management, Inc. (NLY) has the higher forward dividend yield at 16.43%, versus 1.41% for Welltower Inc. (WELL).
- As of Oct 27, 2026, SmarterDividends grades NLY's dividend safety C (55/100) and WELL's B (66/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 27, 2026, NLY has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years and WELL for 2.
- As of Oct 27, 2026, NLY pays out 70% of its earnings as dividends and WELL pays out 133%.
- As of Oct 27, 2026, NLY's fair-value estimate is 166% above its share price and WELL's fair-value estimate is 60% below its share price, so NLY looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "NLY vs WELL: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 27, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/nly-vs-well
| Metric | NLY | WELL |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 16.43% | 1.41% |
| Annual dividend | $3.00 | $3.40 |
| Payout ratio | 70% | 133% |
| Years of growth | 1 yr | 2 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | -5.1% | 0.9% |
| 5-yr total return | -43% | 198% |
| Dividend safety score | 55 (C) | 66 (B) |
| Fair value estimate | $48.61 | $96.91 |
| Upside to fair value | +166% | -60% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $13.8B | $173.4B |
| P/E ratio | 12.8 | 107.9 |
Higher yield
NLY
16.43%
Safer dividend
WELL
Grade B
Faster growth
WELL
0.9%
Better value
NLY
+166% upside
NLY vs WELL — FAQ
Is NLY or WELL a better dividend stock?
On the data, WELL wins more head-to-head categories (5 vs 3). NLY offers the higher yield (16.43%), while WELL has the stronger dividend-safety score. The right pick depends on whether you prioritise income, safety or value.
Which has a higher dividend yield, NLY or WELL?
NLY has the higher forward dividend yield at 16.43%, versus 1.41% for WELL.
Is NLY or WELL safer?
WELL has the higher dividend-safety score (66/100 vs 55/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is NLY or WELL better value right now?
As of Oct 27, 2026, NLY looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 166% above its share price (undervalued). For WELL, its fair-value estimate is 60% below its share price.
Related comparisons
See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.