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JEPQ vs MRK: Dividend Comparison 2026

JEPQ yields 8.21% · MRK yields 3.25% · See full DRIP projection below

vsEnter any two US tickers
After 10 years · $10,000 invested · DRIP enabled
🏆 JEPQ wins by $12.5K in total portfolio value
10 years
JEPQ
JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF
8.21%
Share price
$54.80
Annual div
$4.50
5Y div CAGR
5%
Payout ratio
75%
After 10 yrs · $10,000 · DRIP
Portfolio value
$43.2K
Annual income
$2,477.16
Full JEPQ calculator →
MRK
Merck & Co. Inc.
3.25%
Share price
$94.80
Annual div
$3.08
5Y div CAGR
8.2%
Payout ratio
42%
After 10 yrs · $10,000 · DRIP
Portfolio value
$30.7K
Annual income
$950.29
Full MRK calculator →

Portfolio growth — JEPQ vs MRK

Annual dividend income

MetricJEPQMRK
Forward yield8.21%3.25%
Annual dividend / share$4.50$3.08
Payout ratio75%42%
1-year div growth2.1%5.5%
5-year div CAGR5%8.2%
Portfolio after 10y$43.2K$30.7K
Annual income after 10y$2,477.16$950.29
Total dividends collected$15.6K$6.1K
Payment frequencymonthlyquarterly
SectorETFHealthcare

Year-by-year: JEPQ vs MRK ($10,000, DRIP)

YearJEPQ PortfolioJEPQ Income/yrMRK PortfolioMRK Income/yrGap
1$11,682$862.23$11,192$351.54+$490.00JEPQ
2$13,618$977.48$12,524$392.70+$1.1KJEPQ
3$15,840$1,105.73$14,015$438.65+$1.8KJEPQ
4$18,387$1,248.14$15,682$489.96+$2.7KJEPQ
5$21,301$1,405.99$17,547$547.23+$3.8KJEPQ
6$24,628$1,580.62$19,632$611.16+$5.0KJEPQ
7$28,421$1,773.47$21,963$682.53+$6.5KJEPQ
8$32,738$1,986.07$24,571$762.18+$8.2KJEPQ
9$37,642$2,220.06$27,486$851.08+$10.2KJEPQ
10$43,206$2,477.16$30,745$950.29+$12.5KJEPQ

JEPQ vs MRK: Complete Analysis 2026

JEPQETF

JEPQ applies JEPI's covered call strategy to Nasdaq 100 stocks, providing high monthly income with tech sector exposure. Higher growth potential than JEPI with comparable income. With $15B+ in AUM, it's rapidly becoming a favorite for growth-income hybrid investors.

Full JEPQ Calculator →

MRKHealthcare

Merck is a Dividend Aristocrat with 14+ consecutive years of increases. Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is the world's best-selling cancer drug and drives exceptional cash generation. The company's oncology and vaccines pipeline provides long-term growth visibility beyond the Keytruda patent cliff in the 2030s.

Full MRK Calculator →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is JEPQ or MRK better for dividend income in 2026?
JEPQ currently offers a 8.21% yield (4.50/share/year) while MRK offers 3.25% (3.08/share/year). JEPQ provides higher current income. However, MRK has grown its dividend faster (8.2% 5Y CAGR), which may lead to better long-term income through compounding.
How much would $10,000 in JEPQ vs MRK earn per year?
With $10,000 invested today: JEPQ pays approximately $821/year. MRK pays approximately $325/year. With DRIP reinvestment over 10 years, these grow to $2,477/year (JEPQ) and $950/year (MRK).
Does JEPQ or MRK pay monthly dividends?
JEPQ pays monthly dividends. MRK pays quarterly dividends. JEPQ pays monthly, which is preferred by investors who need regular cash flow.
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⚠️ Educational purposes only. Not financial advice. All projections use historical data; actual results will vary.