VZ vs WLY: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 30, 2026, VZ and WLY are closely matched. VZ offers the higher yield at 6.55%, WLY has the higher dividend-safety score, and VZ looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 60% above its share price).
Key facts: VZ vs WLY
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 30, 2026, Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) has the higher forward dividend yield at 6.55%, versus 2.83% for John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (WLY).
- As of Oct 30, 2026, SmarterDividends grades VZ's dividend safety A (87/100) and WLY's A (96/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 30, 2026, VZ has raised its dividend for 21 consecutive years and WLY for 32.
- As of Oct 30, 2026, VZ pays out 73% of its earnings as dividends and WLY pays out 38%.
- As of Oct 30, 2026, VZ's fair-value estimate is 60% above its share price and WLY's fair-value estimate is 33% above its share price, so VZ looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "VZ vs WLY: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 30, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/vz-vs-wly
| Metric | VZ | WLY |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 6.55% | 2.83% |
| Annual dividend | $2.83 | $1.43 |
| Payout ratio | 73% | 38% |
| Years of growth | 21 yr | 32 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 2.0% | 0.7% |
| 5-yr total return | -11% | 4% |
| Dividend safety score | 87 (A) | 96 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $70.00 | $68.39 |
| Upside to fair value | +60% | +33% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $181.0B | $2.6B |
| P/E ratio | 11.1 | 13.9 |
Higher yield
VZ
6.55%
Safer dividend
WLY
Grade A
Faster growth
VZ
2.0%
Better value
VZ
+60% upside
VZ vs WLY — FAQ
Is VZ or WLY a better dividend stock?
VZ and WLY are closely matched. VZ has the higher yield; WLY scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, VZ or WLY?
VZ has the higher forward dividend yield at 6.55%, versus 2.83% for WLY.
Is VZ or WLY safer?
WLY has the higher dividend-safety score (96/100 vs 87/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is VZ or WLY better value right now?
As of Oct 30, 2026, VZ looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 60% above its share price (undervalued). For WLY, its fair-value estimate is 33% above its share price.
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