HomeCompareVRDR vs MRK

VRDR vs MRK: Dividend Comparison 2026

VRDR yields 4.00% · MRK yields 3.25% · See full DRIP projection below

vsEnter any two US tickers
After 10 years · $10,000 invested · DRIP enabled
🏆 MRK wins by $2.7K in total portfolio value
10 years
VRDR
VRDR
4.00%
Share price
$50.00
Annual div
$2.00
5Y div CAGR
5%
Payout ratio
50%
After 10 yrs · $10,000 · DRIP
Portfolio value
$28.0K
Annual income
$899.19
Full VRDR 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 — VRDR vs MRK

Annual dividend income

MetricVRDRMRK
Forward yield4.00%3.25%
Annual dividend / share$2.00$3.08
Payout ratio50%42%
1-year div growth5%5.5%
5-year div CAGR5%8.2%
Portfolio after 10y$28.0K$30.7K
Annual income after 10y$899.19$950.29
Total dividends collected$6.4K$6.1K
Payment frequencyquarterlyquarterly
SectorStockHealthcare

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

YearVRDR PortfolioVRDR Income/yrMRK PortfolioMRK Income/yrGap
1$11,120$420.00$11,192$351.54$72.00MRK
2$12,357$458.31$12,524$392.70$167.00MRK
3$13,721$499.76$14,015$438.65$294.00MRK
4$15,227$544.58$15,682$489.96$455.00MRK
5$16,885$593.02$17,547$547.23$662.00MRK
6$18,713$645.34$19,632$611.16$919.00MRK
7$20,724$701.81$21,963$682.53$1.2KMRK
8$22,938$762.73$24,571$762.18$1.6KMRK
9$25,372$828.41$27,486$851.08$2.1KMRK
10$28,047$899.19$30,745$950.29$2.7KMRK

VRDR vs MRK: Complete Analysis 2026

VRDRStock

VRDR is a dividend-paying stock. Use this calculator to estimate your future dividend income, DRIP compounding returns, and passive income potential from investing in VRDR shares.

Full VRDR 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 VRDR or MRK better for dividend income in 2026?
VRDR currently offers a 4.00% yield (2.00/share/year) while MRK offers 3.25% (3.08/share/year). VRDR 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 VRDR vs MRK earn per year?
With $10,000 invested today: VRDR pays approximately $400/year. MRK pays approximately $325/year. With DRIP reinvestment over 10 years, these grow to $899/year (VRDR) and $950/year (MRK).
Does VRDR or MRK pay monthly dividends?
VRDR pays quarterly dividends. MRK pays quarterly dividends. Neither pay monthly — both use a quarterly schedule, which is preferred by investors who need regular cash flow.
📬

Get this VRDR vs MRK comparison by email

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

More comparisons

VRDR vs SCHDVRDR vs JEPIVRDR vs OVRDR vs KOVRDR vs MAINVRDR vs JNJVRDR vs ABBVVRDR vs PFEMRK vs JNJMRK vs ABBVMRK vs PFEMRK vs BMY

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