Stock Comparison
JNJ vs MO: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of Johnson & Johnson and Altria Group, Inc. covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Data updated July 15, 2026
Side-by-side snapshot
| JNJ | MO | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Johnson & Johnson | Altria Group, Inc. |
| Issuer | — | — |
| Last Close | $253.85 as of July 15, 2026 | $70.16 as of July 15, 2026 |
| Distribution yield | 2.02% | 5.90% |
| Distribution Safety Score | 100 | 100 |
| Expense ratio | — | — |
| AUM | — | — |
| Distribution frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Underlying index | — | — |
| Objective | Researches, develops, manufactures, and sells healthcare products including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer health products worldwide. | Manufactures and sells cigarettes, oral tobacco products, and wine in the United States through subsidiaries including Philip Morris USA and John Middleton. |
| Asset class | Equity | Equity |
| Inception date | N/A | N/A |
| Beta | 0.235 | 0.494 |
| Last dividend | $1.3400 | $1.0600 |
| Ex-dividend date | 05/26/2026 | 06/15/2026 |
Bottom lineChoose JNJ if you want direct ownership of the underlying business, with no fund wrapper or management fee. Choose MO if you want higher current income (5.90% vs 2.02% for JNJ).
Income calculator
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Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Quick verdict
JNJ (Johnson & Johnson) and MO (Altria Group, Inc.) are both quarterly-pay dividend-paying stocks, but they take different approaches.
MO offers the higher yield at 5.90% vs 2.02% for JNJ. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
Who should choose each?
Choose JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
- Want direct stock ownership — full upside and dividend growth potential, no fund wrapper or expense ratio.
- Prefer lower volatility — a beta of 0.2 vs 0.5 for MO.
Choose MO
Altria Group, Inc.
- Want higher current income — MO yields 5.90% vs 2.02% for JNJ.
- Want direct stock ownership — full upside and dividend growth potential, no fund wrapper or expense ratio.
Not sure? Use the income calculator and snapshot above to weigh these trade-offs against your own goals.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, JNJ would generate roughly $16.83/month, while MO would produce $49.17/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
Strategy & risk
JNJ is a stock, while MO is a stock. Beta is 0.235 for JNJ and 0.494 for MO, indicating JNJ is less volatile relative to the market.
Security details
JNJ (Johnson & Johnson) is a stock. MO (Altria Group, Inc.) is a stock.
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Frequently asked questions
Is JNJ or MO better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. MO currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between JNJ and MO?
JNJ (Johnson & Johnson) is a stock, while MO (Altria Group, Inc.) is a stock. They are issued by — and — respectively.
Can I hold both JNJ and MO?
Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.
How much income does $10,000 in JNJ vs MO generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in JNJ would generate roughly $16.83 per month ($202.00 annually). The same in MO would produce about $49.17 per month ($590.00 annually).
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