Is DUK or ADC a better dividend investment in 2026?

DUK currently yields 3.88% with a 2.1% 5-year dividend growth rate. ADC yields 4.39% with 5.2% growth. The better choice depends on your goal: ADC offers higher current income, while ADC is better for long-term compounding. Use the DRIP calculator above to model your specific scenario.

What is the dividend yield difference between DUK and ADC?

DUK has a forward dividend yield of 3.88% (4.20/share annually). ADC yields 4.39% (3.00/share annually). The yield gap is 0.51 percentage points.

How much would $10,000 in DUK vs ADC pay in dividends per year?

With $10,000 invested: DUK would pay approximately $388/year in dividends. ADC would pay approximately $439/year. With DRIP reinvestment over 10 years, these amounts grow substantially due to compounding.

Home › Compare › DUK vs ADC

DUK vs ADC: Dividend Comparison 2026

Q: Does DUK or ADC pay monthly dividends?

DUK pays quarterly dividends. ADC pays monthly dividends. Monthly payers are preferred by investors who want regular cash flow to cover living expenses.

DUK yields 3.88% · ADC yields 4.39% · See full DRIP projection below

vsEnter any two US tickers

After 10 years · $10,000 invested · DRIP enabled

🏆 ADC wins by $2.3K in total portfolio value

INVESTMENT

TIME HORIZON10 years

DUK

Duke Energy Corporation

3.88%

Share price

$108.20

Annual div

$4.20

5Y div CAGR

2.1%

Payout ratio

73%

After 10 yrs · $10,000 · DRIP

Portfolio value

$21.2K

Annual income

$651.85

Full DUK calculator →

ADC

Agree Realty Corporation

4.39%

Share price

$68.40

Annual div

$3.00

5Y div CAGR

5.2%

Payout ratio

73%

After 10 yrs · $10,000 · DRIP

Portfolio value

$23.5K

Annual income

$1,093.74

Full ADC calculator →

Portfolio growth — DUK vs ADC

Annual dividend income

MetricDUKADC

Forward yield	3.88%	4.39% ✓
Annual dividend / share	$4.20 ✓	$3.00
Payout ratio	73%	73%
1-year div growth	2%	2.8% ✓
5-year div CAGR	2.1%	5.2% ✓
Portfolio after 10y	$21.2K	$23.5K ✓
Annual income after 10y	$651.85	$1,093.74 ✓
Total dividends collected	$5.2K	$7.4K ✓
Payment frequency	quarterly	monthly
Sector	Utilities	REIT

Year-by-year: DUK vs ADC ($10,000, DRIP)

Year	DUK Portfolio	DUK Income/yr	ADC Portfolio	ADC Income/yr	Gap
1	$10,816	$396.32	$10,871	$461.40	$55.00 → ADC
2	$11,691	$420.03	$11,824	$506.91	$133.00 → ADC
3	$12,626	$444.84	$12,866	$557.16	$240.00 → ADC
4	$13,628	$470.77	$14,006	$612.66	$378.00 → ADC
5	$14,698	$497.85	$15,254	$674.00	$556.00 → ADC
6	$15,841	$526.13	$16,622	$741.82	$781.00 → ADC
7	$17,062	$555.63	$18,120	$816.86	$1.1K → ADC
8	$18,365	$586.39	$19,763	$899.90	$1.4K → ADC
9	$19,755	$618.45	$21,565	$991.86	$1.8K → ADC
10	$21,237	$651.85	$23,543	$1,093.74	$2.3K → ADC

DUK vs ADC: Complete Analysis 2026

DUK — Utilities

Duke Energy is one of America's largest electric utilities, serving 8M+ customers across the Southeast and Midwest. A Dividend Aristocrat with 16+ years of consecutive increases. Its regulated business model provides predictable earnings and cash flows, supporting reliable dividend payments regardless of economic conditions.

Full DUK Calculator →

ADC — REIT

Agree Realty is a net-lease REIT focused on high-quality retail tenants including Walmart, Home Depot, and Tractor Supply. Its monthly dividend and focus on investment-grade tenants make it a conservative REIT alternative to Realty Income. Conservative leverage and disciplined acquisition strategy set it apart.

Full ADC Calculator →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DUK or ADC better for dividend income in 2026?

DUK currently offers a 3.88% yield (4.20/share/year) while ADC offers 4.39% (3.00/share/year). ADC provides higher current income. However, ADC has grown its dividend faster (5.2% 5Y CAGR), which may lead to better long-term income through compounding.

How much would $10,000 in DUK vs ADC earn per year?

With $10,000 invested today: DUK pays approximately $388/year. ADC pays approximately $439/year. With DRIP reinvestment over 10 years, these grow to $652/year (DUK) and $1,094/year (ADC).

Does DUK or ADC pay monthly dividends?

DUK pays quarterly dividends. ADC pays monthly dividends. ADC pays monthly, which is preferred by investors who need regular cash flow.

📬

Get this DUK vs ADC comparison by email

Save your analysis + get weekly dividend insights. Free forever.

More comparisons

DUK vs SO DUK vs NEE DUK vs D DUK vs AEP DUK vs EXC DUK vs O DUK vs NNN DUK vs EPRT ADC vs O ADC vs NNN ADC vs EPRT ADC vs FCPT

⚠️ Educational purposes only. Not financial advice. All projections use historical data; actual results will vary.