Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
PFE vs SYK
Pfizer Inc. versus Stryker Corporation — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
SYK wins 2–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but PFE can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
PFE or SYK — which is better?
SYK wins this comparison 2–1 across 6 dimensions. SYK yields 1.07% — lower than PFE's 5.73% — and carries a 7.6/10 dividend safety score (Solid) vs 5.3/10 for PFE (Mixed). SYK wins 2–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but PFE can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
On yield alone, PFE generates 5.73% vs 1.07% — a 4.66% difference that translates to $4,660 more per year on a $100,000 investment. On dividend safety, SYK scores 7.6/10 (Solid) vs 5.3/10 (Mixed) for PFE — investors prioritizing income reliability should weight that gap alongside the yield difference.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | PFE | SYK | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 5.73% | 1.07% | PFE wins |
| Dividend safety | 5.3/10 | 7.6/10 | SYK wins |
| Growth trend | +0.93% vs 5y | +0.08% vs 5y | SYK wins |
| Volatility (beta) | — | — | Tie |
| Scale | $175.5B | $126.0B | Tie |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 1 wins | 2 wins | SYK wins |
Dimension by dimension
PFE wins on yield (5.73% vs 1.07%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $466 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
PFE's higher yield (5.73%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus SYK's 1.07% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
SYK wins on safety (7.6/10 vs 5.3/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. SYK scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
SYK (7.6/10) scores 2.3 points higher than PFE (5.3/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.
SYK shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend
SYK's yield is 0.08% above its 5y average, versus 0.93% for PFE. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
Volatility comparison unavailable
Beta data missing for one or both tickers.
Comparable scale ($175.5B vs $126.0B)
Within 1.5x of each other on market cap / AUM — similar institutional footprint.
Both pay qualified-dividend-eligible distributions
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
Full breakdown per ticker: are PFE dividends qualified and are SYK dividends qualified — each with the after-tax income at every federal bracket.
How we compare these
Every comparison on this page is computed from current public data, not written by hand. Yield comes from the most recent dividend distribution annualized over current price. Safety scores combine yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size — see our methodology for the exact formula. Tax-efficiency flags identify covered-call ETFs, REITs, and mREITs which distribute primarily as ordinary income.
This is educational, not investment advice. Scores reflect a snapshot of public data on the "as of" dates shown on each ticker's safety page. Verify on the issuer's investor relations page or your brokerage before making decisions.
Frequently asked
PFE or SYK — which is better?
SYK is better on our scoring, winning 2–1 across six dimensions: yield, dividend safety, growth, cost, scale, and tax treatment. SYK wins 2–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but PFE can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Which is better for income, PFE or SYK?
SYK wins 2–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but PFE can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
PFE vs SYK: which has a higher dividend yield?
PFE yields 5.73% and SYK yields 1.07%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $466 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is PFE or SYK a safer dividend in 2026?
PFE scores 5.3/10 (Mixed) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. SYK scores 7.6/10 (Solid). SYK is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, PFE or SYK?
SYK's yield is 0.08% above its 5y average, versus 0.93% for PFE. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
PFE vs SYK: which is more tax-efficient?
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
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Compare both against your actual holdings
Put PFE and SYK into the free analyzer with the rest of your portfolio. You'll see what each one contributes to your annual income, your weighted safety score, and whether adding SYK diversifies you or just duplicates what you hold. No account, no download.