Dividend comparison
HD vs LOW: Which Is Better for Income?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for The Home Depot, Inc. and Lowe's Companies, Inc., side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
HD vs LOW: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Income. HD pays more income, yielding 3.00% over the last twelve months versus 2.48% for LOW. That is about $52 more a year on $10,000. Both pay quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, HD returned -2.9% versus -3.2% for LOW, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $9,710 in HD and $9,685 in LOW.
- Risk. LOW has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -36.9%, against -34.7% for HD.
- Dividend growth. LOW grew its yearly payout 13.8% a year over the last 4 years, versus 8.7% for HD.
Bottom line: HD fits better if you care most about more income today. LOW fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | HD The Home Depot, Inc. | LOW Lowe's Companies, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 3.00% | 2.48% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $9.29 | $4.85 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $2.3300 on Sep 17, 2026 | $1.2500 on Aug 5, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 3, 2026 | Oct 21, 2026 |
| Next payment | — | $1.2500 on Nov 4, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 8.7% over 4 yrs | 13.8% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $315.11 | $198.53 |
| Payout ratio (TTM) | 64.8% | 40.5% |
| Dividend growth streak | 16 years | 30 years |
| Beta | 1.00 | 0.88 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -34.7% | -36.9% |
| Market cap | $308.91B | $110.70B |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
HD
$24.98/mo
$300 /yr at 3.00% yield
LOW
$20.64/mo
$248 /yr at 2.48% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. HD pays quarterly; LOW pays quarterly.
| Year | HD | LOW |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $9.2000 | $4.7000 |
| 2024 | $9.0000 | $4.5000 |
| 2023 | $8.3600 | $4.3000 |
| 2022 | $7.6000 | $3.7000 |
| 2021 | $6.6000 | $2.8000 |
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 $9,710 in HD and $9,685 in LOW.
| Period | HD | LOW |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 5.04% | 3.14% |
| 3 months | -7.01% | -2.42% |
| Year to date | -8.42% | -16.40% |
| 1 year | -18.97% | -16.37% |
| 3 years | 15.55% | 10.65% |
| 5 years | -2.90% | -3.15% |
- HD
- LOW
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Quick verdict
HD fits better if you care most about more income today. LOW fits better if you care most about 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 HD vs LOW fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is HD or LOW better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. HD currently yields 3.00% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while LOW yields 2.48%. 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 HD and LOW?
The Home Depot, Inc. (HD) is a stock listed on NYSE. Lowe's Companies, Inc. (LOW) 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, HD or LOW?
Over the last 5 years, HD has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: HD returned -2.9% and LOW returned -3.2%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, HD or LOW?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, LOW has been riskier: HD fell as much as 34.7% and LOW as much as 36.9%. Their betas are 1.00 and 0.88.
How often do HD and LOW pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $2.3300 for HD and $1.2500 for LOW.
How much income does $10,000 in HD vs LOW generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in HD would generate roughly $24.98 per month ($300 annually). The same amount in LOW would produce about $20.64 per month ($248 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both HD and LOW?
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 HD vs LOW with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how HD and LOW 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.