Dividend comparison
EPD vs ET: Which Is Better for Income?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Enterprise Products Partners L.P. and Energy Transfer LP, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
EPD vs ET: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Income. ET pays more income, yielding 6.64% over the last twelve months versus 5.99% for EPD. That is about $65 more a year on $10,000. Both pay quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, ET returned 196.2% versus 113.4% for EPD, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $29,620 in ET and $21,339 in EPD.
- Risk. ET has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -24.6%, against -18.0% for EPD.
- Dividend growth. ET grew its yearly payout 21.2% a year over the last 4 years, versus 4.7% for EPD.
Bottom line: EPD fits better if you care most about smaller drawdowns. ET fits better if you care most about more income today, stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | EPD Enterprise Products Partners L.P. | ET Energy Transfer LP |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 5.99% | 6.64% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $2.21 | $1.34 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $0.5600 on Aug 14, 2026 | $0.3400 on Aug 19, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Oct 30, 2026 | Aug 7, 2026 |
| Next payment | $0.5600 on Nov 13, 2026 | — |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 4.7% over 4 yrs | 21.2% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $36.98 | $20.26 |
| Payout ratio (TTM) | 75.3% | 82.1% |
| Dividend growth streak | 26 years | 4 years |
| Beta | 0.48 | 0.60 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -18.0% | -24.6% |
| Market cap | $79.51B | $69.71B |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
EPD
$49.93/mo
$599 /yr at 5.99% yield
ET
$55.36/mo
$664 /yr at 6.64% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. EPD pays quarterly; ET pays quarterly.
| Year | EPD | ET |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.1600 | $1.3150 |
| 2024 | $2.0800 | $1.2750 |
| 2023 | $1.9800 | $1.2350 |
| 2022 | $1.8800 | $0.8700 |
| 2021 | $1.8000 | $0.6100 |
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 16, 2021 would now be worth $21,633 in EPD and $29,620 in ET.
| Period | EPD | ET |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -4.91% | -4.03% |
| 3 months | -3.22% | 1.96% |
| Year to date | 20.69% | 29.46% |
| 1 year | 28.36% | 30.63% |
| 3 years | 65.16% | 80.25% |
| 5 years | 113.39% | 196.20% |
- EPD
- ET
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-16 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Quick verdict
EPD fits better if you care most about smaller drawdowns. ET fits better if you care most about more income today, stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how EPD vs ET fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is EPD or ET better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. EPD currently yields 5.99% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while ET yields 6.64%. 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 EPD and ET?
Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (EPD) is a stock listed on NYSE. Energy Transfer LP (ET) 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, EPD or ET?
Over the last 5 years, ET has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: EPD returned 113.4% and ET returned 196.2%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, EPD or ET?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, ET has been riskier: EPD fell as much as 18.0% and ET as much as 24.6%. Their betas are 0.48 and 0.60.
How often do EPD and ET pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $0.5600 for EPD and $0.3400 for ET.
How much income does $10,000 in EPD vs ET generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in EPD would generate roughly $49.93 per month ($599 annually). The same amount in ET would produce about $55.36 per month ($664 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both EPD and ET?
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 EPD vs ET with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how EPD and ET 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.
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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.