Dividend comparison
UPS vs FDX: Which Is Better for Income?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for United Parcel Service, Inc. and FedEx Corporation, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
UPS vs FDX: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Income. UPS pays more income, yielding 6.73% over the last twelve months versus 1.63% for FDX. That is about $511 more a year on $10,000. Both pay quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, FDX returned 76.5% versus -39.0% for UPS, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $17,653 in FDX and $6,100 in UPS.
- Risk. UPS has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -57.9%, against -45.3% for FDX.
- Dividend growth. FDX grew its yearly payout 18.2% a year over the last 4 years, versus 12.6% for UPS.
Bottom line: UPS fits better if you care most about more income today. FDX fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns, smaller drawdowns and faster dividend growth.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | UPS United Parcel Service, Inc. | FDX FedEx Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 6.73% | 1.63% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $6.56 | $4.78 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $1.6400 on Sep 3, 2026 | $1.2200 on Oct 1, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Aug 17, 2026 | Sep 14, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 12.6% over 4 yrs | 18.2% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $98.52 | $298.76 |
| Payout ratio (TTM) | 118.4% | 31.0% |
| Dividend growth streak | 16 years | 5 years |
| Beta | 1.05 | 1.33 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -57.9% | -45.3% |
| Market cap | $73.06B | $69.47B |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
UPS
$56.09/mo
$673 /yr at 6.73% yield
FDX
$13.55/mo
$163 /yr at 1.63% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. UPS pays quarterly; FDX pays quarterly.
| Year | UPS | FDX |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6.5600 | $4.5543 |
| 2024 | $6.5200 | $4.2451 |
| 2023 | $6.4800 | $3.8753 |
| 2022 | $6.0800 | $2.4522 |
| 2021 | $4.0800 | $2.3316 |
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 $6,100 in UPS and $17,653 in FDX.
| Period | UPS | FDX |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -0.55% | -1.61% |
| 3 months | -16.31% | -2.05% |
| Year to date | -0.68% | 29.46% |
| 1 year | 15.34% | 56.74% |
| 3 years | -26.53% | 63.10% |
| 5 years | -39.00% | 76.53% |
- UPS
- FDX
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Quick verdict
UPS fits better if you care most about more income today. FDX fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns, smaller drawdowns 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 UPS vs FDX fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is UPS or FDX better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. UPS currently yields 6.73% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while FDX yields 1.63%. 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 UPS and FDX?
United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) is a stock listed on NYSE. FedEx Corporation (FDX) 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, UPS or FDX?
Over the last 5 years, FDX has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: UPS returned -39.0% and FDX returned 76.5%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, UPS or FDX?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, UPS has been riskier: UPS fell as much as 57.9% and FDX as much as 45.3%. Their betas are 1.05 and 1.33.
How often do UPS and FDX pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $1.6400 for UPS and $1.2200 for FDX.
How much income does $10,000 in UPS vs FDX generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in UPS would generate roughly $56.09 per month ($673 annually). The same amount in FDX would produce about $13.55 per month ($163 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both UPS and FDX?
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 UPS vs FDX with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how UPS and FDX 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.