Dividend comparison
MO vs PM: Which Is Better for Income?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Altria Group, Inc. and Philip Morris International Inc., side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
MO vs PM: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Income. MO pays more income, yielding 5.79% over the last twelve months versus 2.99% for PM. That is about $280 more a year on $10,000. Both pay quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, PM returned 150.5% versus 112.0% for MO, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $25,047 in PM and $21,199 in MO.
- Risk. MO has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -25.8%, against -22.8% for PM.
- Dividend growth. MO grew its yearly payout 4.3% a year over the last 4 years, versus 3.3% for PM.
Bottom line: MO fits better if you care most about more income today and faster dividend growth. PM 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.
| Metric | MO Altria Group, Inc. | PM Philip Morris International Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 5.79% | 2.99% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $4.29 | $6.01 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $1.1100 on Oct 9, 2026 | $1.4700 on Jul 20, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 15, 2026 | Oct 2, 2026 |
| Next payment | — | $1.6000 on Oct 26, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 4.3% over 4 yrs | 3.3% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $74.64 | $199.90 |
| Payout ratio (TTM) | 88.6% | 82.8% |
| Dividend growth streak | 17 years | 13 years |
| Beta | 0.46 | 0.36 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -25.8% | -22.8% |
| Market cap | $125.41B | $319.83B |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
MO
$48.27/mo
$579 /yr at 5.79% yield
PM
$24.91/mo
$299 /yr at 2.99% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. MO pays quarterly; PM pays quarterly.
| Year | MO | PM |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4.1200 | $5.5200 |
| 2024 | $3.9600 | $5.2500 |
| 2023 | $3.8000 | $5.1100 |
| 2022 | $3.6400 | $5.0200 |
| 2021 | $3.4800 | $4.8500 |
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 $21,199 in MO and $25,047 in PM.
| Period | MO | PM |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 7.36% | 5.98% |
| 3 months | 0.58% | 3.59% |
| Year to date | 29.45% | 24.63% |
| 1 year | 15.90% | 26.47% |
| 3 years | 104.44% | 135.93% |
| 5 years | 111.99% | 150.47% |
- MO
- PM
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Quick verdict
MO fits better if you care most about more income today and faster dividend growth. PM 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 MO vs PM fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is MO or PM better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. MO currently yields 5.79% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while PM yields 2.99%. 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 MO and PM?
Altria Group, Inc. (MO) is a stock listed on NYSE. Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) 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, MO or PM?
Over the last 5 years, PM has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: MO returned 112.0% and PM returned 150.5%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, MO or PM?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, MO has been riskier: MO fell as much as 25.8% and PM as much as 22.8%. Their betas are 0.46 and 0.36.
How often do MO and PM pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $1.1100 for MO and $1.4700 for PM.
How much income does $10,000 in MO vs PM generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in MO would generate roughly $48.27 per month ($579 annually). The same amount in PM would produce about $24.91 per month ($299 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both MO and PM?
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 MO vs PM with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how MO and PM 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.