Dividend comparison

CVX vs XOM: Which Is Better for Income?

Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Chevron Corporation and Exxonmobil Holdings Corporation, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.

CVX vs XOM: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
  • Income. CVX pays more income, yielding 3.14% over the last twelve months versus 2.31% for XOM. That is about $83 more a year on $10,000. Both pay quarterly.
  • Performance. Over the last 5 years, XOM returned 229.7% versus 141.6% for CVX, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $32,974 in XOM and $24,161 in CVX.
  • Risk. CVX has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -24.9%, against -20.5% for XOM.
  • Dividend growth. CVX grew its yearly payout 6.5% a year over the last 4 years, versus 3.5% for XOM.

Bottom line: CVX fits better if you care most about more income today and faster dividend growth. XOM fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and smaller drawdowns.

Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
MetricCVX
Chevron Corporation
XOM
Exxonmobil Holdings Corporation
Dividend yield (TTM)3.14%2.31%
Dividend / share (TTM)$7.05$4.12
Payout frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
Last dividend$1.7800 on Sep 10, 2026$1.0300 on Sep 10, 2026
Ex-dividend dateAug 19, 2026Aug 17, 2026
Dividend growth (CAGR)6.5% over 4 yrs3.5% over 4 yrs
Price$225.71$177.86
Payout ratio (TTM)67.3%52.6%
Dividend growth streak38 years24 years
Beta0.520.17
Max drawdown (5Y)-24.9%-20.5%
Market cap$444.51B$735.95B
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.

CVX

$26.18/mo

$314 /yr at 3.14% yield

XOM

$19.26/mo

$231 /yr at 2.31% yield

Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. CVX pays quarterly; XOM pays quarterly.
YearCVXXOM
2025$6.8400$4.0000
2024$6.5200$3.8400
2023$6.0400$3.6800
2022$5.6800$3.5500
2021$5.3100$3.4900
Strategy: Dividend stocks
Individual companies with long records of paying and raising dividends. Comparing two of them comes down to how safe the payout is, measured by the payout ratio and balance sheet, how fast it has grown, and what the business needs to keep earning it. A single stock carries company-specific risk that a fund spreads out.

A single company can cut or suspend its dividend, and one holding can fall far more than a diversified fund.

Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $24,161 in CVX and $32,974 in XOM.
PeriodCVXXOM
1 month7.73%8.76%
3 months20.01%20.70%
Year to date52.23%49.79%
1 year51.87%61.35%
3 years52.04%75.58%
5 years141.61%229.74%
  • CVX
  • XOM
75212349202120222023202420252026242330

Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Quick verdict

CVX fits better if you care most about more income today and faster dividend growth. XOM fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and smaller drawdowns. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.

Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how CVX vs XOM fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.

Frequently asked questions

Is CVX or XOM better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. CVX currently yields 3.14% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while XOM yields 2.31%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between CVX and XOM?
Chevron Corporation (CVX) is a stock listed on NYSE. Exxonmobil Holdings Corporation (XOM) is a stock listed on NYSE. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which has performed better, CVX or XOM?
Over the last 5 years, XOM has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: CVX returned 141.6% and XOM returned 229.7%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, CVX or XOM?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, CVX has been riskier: CVX fell as much as 24.9% and XOM as much as 20.5%. Their betas are 0.52 and 0.17.
How often do CVX and XOM pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $1.7800 for CVX and $1.0300 for XOM.
How much income does $10,000 in CVX vs XOM generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in CVX would generate roughly $26.18 per month ($314 annually). The same amount in XOM would produce about $19.26 per month ($231 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both CVX and XOM?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare CVX vs XOM with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how CVX and XOM fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.

For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.