UNH vs XRAY: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 19, 2026, UNH (UnitedHealth Group Incorporated) screens as the stronger dividend stock, winning 6 of 8 head-to-head metrics. UNH offers the higher yield at 2.31%, XRAY has the higher dividend-safety score, and UNH looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 23% above its share price).
Key facts: UNH vs XRAY
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 19, 2026, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) has the higher forward dividend yield at 2.31%, versus 1.87% for DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc. (XRAY).
- As of Oct 19, 2026, SmarterDividends grades UNH's dividend safety A (89/100) and XRAY's A (95/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 19, 2026, UNH has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years and XRAY for 0.
- As of Oct 19, 2026, UNH pays out 58% of its earnings as dividends and XRAY pays out 30%.
- As of Oct 19, 2026, UNH's fair-value estimate is 23% above its share price and XRAY's fair-value estimate is 51% below its share price, so UNH looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "UNH vs XRAY: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 19, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/unh-vs-xray
| Metric | UNH | XRAY |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 2.31% | 1.87% |
| Annual dividend | $9.28 | $0.16 |
| Payout ratio | 58% | 30% |
| Years of growth | 16 yr | 0 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 12.6% | 9.9% |
| 5-yr total return | -10% | -82% |
| Dividend safety score | 89 (A) | 95 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $493.81 | $4.23 |
| Upside to fair value | +23% | -51% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $360.3B | $1.7B |
| P/E ratio | 25.8 | — |
Higher yield
UNH
2.31%
Safer dividend
XRAY
Grade A
Faster growth
UNH
12.6%
Better value
UNH
+23% upside
UNH vs XRAY — FAQ
Is UNH or XRAY a better dividend stock?
On the data, UNH wins more head-to-head categories (6 vs 2). UNH offers the higher yield (2.31%), while XRAY has the stronger dividend-safety score. The right pick depends on whether you prioritise income, safety or value.
Which has a higher dividend yield, UNH or XRAY?
UNH has the higher forward dividend yield at 2.31%, versus 1.87% for XRAY.
Is UNH or XRAY safer?
XRAY has the higher dividend-safety score (95/100 vs 89/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is UNH or XRAY better value right now?
As of Oct 19, 2026, UNH looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 23% above its share price (undervalued). For XRAY, its fair-value estimate is 51% below its share price.
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See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.